How To List Education On Resume: 7 Easy Tips

If you do not know how to list education on resume, you need not gamble through different websites; we have covered you. Building a resume seems pretty simple, right? Just mention a bit about yourself, your qualifications, work experience, hobbies, and job interests, and you are good to go! That isn’t always the case, though.

Although one might not observe it, from just writing a resume objective to the education section, getting everything right and in place becomes crucial.

Still, confused about where to start? Read through.

1. Why Is It Important To Mention Education On Your Resume?

Educational background is one of the crucial things that hiring managers look for. Your academic backgrounds, achievements, and relevant coursework speak for the role you seek, i.e., whether you fit the job.

Each job demands different types of qualifications from you. So, for example, if you are seeking an entry-level job, the employer may look for a high school education, a relevant course, or a diploma degree.

However, if you want to go for an executive role, the employer might ask for a degree, such as an MBA, along with other work experience and achievements.

Thus, if you have the relevant educational background, it is likely that the interviewer will make no delay in hiring you.

So, you will need to modify your keywords according to the job requirements. However, remember that you must not lie on your resume, as the hiring manager may conduct a background check or request a referral.

2. Where to Place the Education Section on The Resume?

One might not worry about designing a resume until the job search begins. Then, it becomes the first and foremost task to get the right keywords in your resume using the correct resume template.

Your resume serves as the first impression. It might sometimes confuse you about what to put first on your resume and what to not! Getting everything right and in place becomes crucial, from simply writing a resume objective to positioning the education section.

1. Here Are a Few Tips to Place Education Section on Your Resume: –

The job requirement is the first and most crucial step before designing a resume; other things follow.

Second, ask yourself if your academic achievements or education are exceptional enough (across all sections of your resume) to land you the position you want.

If yes? Then, make it your priority to mention education on the resume. It is suitable if you do not have prior work experience, i.e., a high school graduate.

Though you might not have prior experience and relevant skills, if you possess an excellent academic background, such as extracurriculars, or any other skills, you will likely get hired for an entry-level position.

Even if you’ve recently returned to school to earn a degree essential for your potential career, it’s a good idea to mention education before work experience.

Another situation when you would want to emphasize your academic achievements above your professional experience is when you receive a new MBA, MSc, or Ph.D.

For instance, if you have experience as a staff manager but are aiming for executive-level, bigger roles after returning to school to earn an MBA. The hiring committee wants your MBA backed by your staff management experience.

2. How To Place Your Education Section on Resume?

Though you have a lot of information to put in your resume, it is advisable to put in smaller amounts of information so that the resume does not look deranged.

Especially regarding the resume’s education section, ensure your template follows a reverse chronological order, listing the latest educational Degree at the top and then listing your previous educational achievements.

by: madartzgraphics/Pixabay/ @ copyright Nov. 9, 2016

3. Use the Following to Format Education on Your Resume: –

For instance, if you are looking for a job as a Foreign Language Instructor at a local Foreign Language institution, then you might be interested in following the understated format: –

1. Name of the Latest Degree Obtained:

e.g., M.A. in English Language and Literature, Minor in Translation Studies (add minor if applicable)

2. Name of the institution:

e.g., York University

3. Location of The Institution/High School/School:

e.g., Toronto, Ontario, Canada (it is optional, however, if you graduate high school from a prestigious university, do mention the location)

4. Graduation Date/Year:

e.g., 2019-2022

5. GPA:

e.g., 5.68 (remember to mention your GPA only when the score is above 3.4, as this exhibits your commitment and dedication)

6. Academic Honors (only if applicable):

Magna Cum Laude

7. Other Degrees or Educational Entries:

e.g., High School Diploma in Literature of Diaspora

8. Relevant Coursework/Exchange Programs:

e.g., Exchange Program in Hamburg, Germany

9. Study Abroad Programs:

Including studies abroad on your resume is acceptable if you’re a current student. Making sure to specify that it was a study abroad program, e.g., Study Abroad Program in School Psychology, University of Munich

10. Extracurricular Activities and Other Academic Achievements:

e.g., if you have been a part of a 3-month school counseling training program or made it to the dean’s list at your high school, you are welcome to add relevant academic or extracurricular achievements.

Note: You can also include school project work, internships, other certificates, study abroad programs, and unfinished degrees, though these are completely optional. You may add any of these according to the requirements of the job.

Remember, adding all the above-stated points might make you look skillful and brilliant, but here’s a tip: the employer is not always interested in all achievements. He only searches for achievements suiting his palate of needs.

Thus, mentioning everything and anything is never the right choice. Keep your resume education section limited to 20- 30 words.

However, it is not always the case with multiple degrees. Let’s say you have a bachelor’s in English Language and Literature and a master’s in Psychology; you may add all of it since leaving it off completely can result in an odd appearance.

At the same time, you might not want to leave one or the other education on your resume as it can hide the educational qualification required for the job.

In such a case, highlight the educational Degree more suitable for the current job requirements.

3. How To List Education on Resume?

Getting the right keywords while designing a resume is essential. Many times fresher and working professionals cannot figure out the companies’ job descriptions and tend to list education sections inappropriately.

Sometimes you need to mention your school location; however, you might want to mention the relevant Degree and, at other times, also mention the grade points under the college degree.

It is in choosing effective keywords that can make you stand out from the crowd. So why wait till the company rejects you by just looking at your resume?

Let us look at some ways how to list education on a resume:

1. Do’s and Don’ts to Get Your Resume Education Section Right: –

1. Do:

• Always include an education section on your resume, even when short.
• Keep the education section brief. Not more than 30 words (usually under the work history).
• Try including all the degrees, not merely the latest. Since including other graduation details might increase your chances of getting hired.
• If you’re still in school or if they’re applicable, list incomplete education (if any) to the job you’re applying for.
• Only avoid listing education on your resume when it is irrelevant and may give the impression that you are overqualified, such as if you hold a Ph.D. in mathematics and are seeking an entry-level job.
• Highlight any very noteworthy accomplishments, such as graduating summa cum laude or being received a major fellowship.
• If you do not know how to list education on your resume, then take help from experts or online resume builders.

2. Don’t:

• Do not make yourself look like an overachiever or include any unnecessary information in your resume education section. Be concise.
• (Unless you are currently a high school student) do not provide much information about your high school.

4. How To List Education on Resume (Examples): –

Through real-world examples of all types of high school education, you will better understand how to list education on a resume.

Here are easy and amazing ways to list education on your resume. You can also search for instances of the education section that interests you: –

1. How To List Education on Resume if You Are a High School Student: –

If you are still in High School and looking for how to list education on your resume, it is advisable to make your education section can be much larger.

Any significant achievements, awards, and participation in extracurricular activities should be mentioned. Also, put the expected graduation date on your list.

e.g., EDUCATION

B.Sc. in Nursing

York University, Ontario

2019 – Present

Cumulative GPA: 3.85/4; Dean’s list 2020-21 (Top 10% of class)

Relevant coursework: Training for Intensive Care on Covid-19 Course (06/07/2020-06/09/2020)

1. In addition To Present, You May Also Include Other Words & Phrases Like:

Expected Graduation + Year (so 2019 – 2023)

In progress

To be Completed + year

2. How to List Education on Resume if You Are a Recent Graduate: –

If you recently graduated high school, your education section is the first thing you want the hiring managers to look for. You can include: GPA (only if above 3.4), Internships, honors received (cum laude, etc.)

e.g., EDUCATION

B.Sc. in Nursing

York University, Ontario

2018 – 2022

Cumulative GPA: 3.85/4; Dean’s list 2020-21 (Top 10% of class)

Relevant coursework: Training for Intensive Care on Covid-19 Course (06/07/2020-06/09/2020)

Internship: Nursing Care Taker, Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (15/02/2021-15/05/2021)

3. How to List Education on Resume if You Have a Double Major:

e.g., EDUCATION

B.Sc. in Nursing and Diploma in Nursing Program

York University, Ontario

2018 – 2022

Cumulative GPA: 3.85/4; Dean’s list 2020-21 (Top 10% of class)

Relevant coursework: Training for Intensive Care on Covid-19 Course (06/07/2020-06/09/2020)

Remember to list the major most appropriate to the position you are applying for if you have a double major.

4. How To List Education on Resume if You Dropped out Of School, or Have Incomplete Education:

e.g., EDUCATION

York University, Ontario

2018 – 2020

Thirty-four credits completed. B.Sc. in Nursing

2018 – 2019

5. How To List Education on Resume when You Have Attended Community College?

Here’s how you can:

You very much list community college degrees the same way you list other undergraduate degrees.

If you want to know how to list education on your resume, the format for how to mention that you are still in school or have withdrawn also applies here.

e.g., EDUCATION

ASN. in Health and Life Sciences, Summa Cum Laude

Humber College, Toronto

2018- 19

2. How To List Education on Resume if You Have Professional Experience: –

If you have some industry experience, move the education section underneath the one on experience. Your current accomplishments will be of greater importance to your interviewers than your academic background.

If you’d like, you can delete additional information from your schooling areas, such as graduation dates and GPA. The more interest you can generate around your professional background, the better.

Note: Avoid mentioning College internships with the Degree; include it in your resume’s work experience section.

Include any advanced degrees you have, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, in the order of level (e.g., Ph.D., master’s, bachelor’s, etc.).

e.g., EDUCATION

Ted Rogers School of Management | St. Catharine, ON, Canada
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS)

Toronto School of Management | Toronto, ON, Canada
Bachelor’s of Accountancy

5. Key Takeaways: –

Now, let’s have a quick look at what we have learned so far about how to list education on a resume:

Remember: Your resume should only contain information that proves you’re a good fit for the job you’re applying for.

Try to include your education list in bullet points. It allows recruiters to scan your resume easily and does not look untidy.

Though, there is no particular set of rules to mention details in the education section of your resume.

But that does not mean including any and everything you have achieved so far, Be Mindful while building your resume.

1. How To List Education on Resume if You Are a Beginner:-

Try searching for templates across different websites.

It will give you an idea of how to use keywords, position different sections on a single piece of paper, and acceptably present your resume.

2. Tailor Your Resume Education Section: –

The education section might come either before or after the experience section.

List your academic accomplishments in reverse chronological order. In other words, start with the most recent and work your way backward from there.

Add, remove, and alter the education according to what is required for each job based on your expertise and credentials.

You can provide however much or little information you need. But it should all be relevant.

3. How To List Education on Resume if You Are a Student: –

If you don’t have much job experience or if the experience you do have isn’t relevant, you should expand your education section.

Focus on the best achievements, extracurricular activities, and relevant coursework during high school.

Don’t post your GPA if it isn’t particularly high.

4. How To List Education on Resume if You Graduated High School: –

Depending on the kind of school you attended, there are several ways to list the education section.

Even if you didn’t complete a degree, you could still list the courses (both incomplete and complete) on your resume. An incomplete degree might interest the future employer.

Do not include your high school education if you hold a university or community college degree.

5. How To List Education on Resume if You Completed College and Changed Careers: –

Additional certifications might fill the gap between your previous field and your desired new position.

Lastly, it is your resume; You should consider the education section a chance to put yourself significantly above the competition.

You might not have a brilliant educational background, certifications, or extraordinary achievements. Still, with the right presentation, keywords, and listing on your resume, you are always ready to kick-start a great career!

If none of the situations mentioned above applies to you and you don’t have another strong reason to list your schooling first, follow the standard format and start with your work experience. Employers are most interested in your job history and accomplishments. Therefore, unless your education is fairly recent, it is advisable to concentrate on your professional record.

Overall, using a reliable resume builder is the best way to prevent making errors or forgetting to include something crucial when you state your education on your resume.

5. FAQs: –

If you have any other doubts about putting an education section on your resume, this section is for you.

Some of the Frequently Asked Questions for the education section are as follows: –

1. How to List Education on Resume?

If you are a beginner, don’t know where to start, and want to know how to list education on your resume, look on the internet. Several websites offer free and tailor-made templates to list your relevant experience on the resume.

The formal format to list the education section is as follows:

• The highest level of the school attended
• Including the field of study
• The name of the school or college
• Graduation year

2. How To Know Where to Stop?

You cannot mention everything on a single piece of paper. So, it is important to know where to stop listing every detail.

Remember, list the most recent graduate degree and achievements first. Other courses and former school degrees are to be given a second thought.

3. What to Include in The Education Section if You Are Still Studying?

Highlight relevant skills, interests, academic achievements, honors, and awards if you are still a college student. These increase your chance of getting noticed.

4. Do I Need to Mention Positions Held in High School?

If you are still studying, it is better to include important positions held in high school, such as Vice-President of the Student Council.

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Last Updated on November 8, 2023 by kalidaspandian