Including your education in a resume is essential as it provides potential employers with a snapshot of your academic and qualifications background. If your education is relevant to job description this section makes your impression towards recruiters good. And your chance of getting the shortlisted for the job is easy.

Here we guide you to how to add education on a resume. Follow the below steps to guide you to build your job winning resume.

You have several options in your resume to add the section of resume. As a fresher you have only your skills and education that you need to add in your resume. You can add your education details by understanding the requirements of the job. Also it is very important to read the job description before writing the resume.

1. First choose the right format

Whenever you are going to create your first resume. You need to decide first what type of resume template I need to choose. It is very important to suit your resume template with your technical and soft skills. For recent graduates, place it at the top; for those with significant work experience, it can go at the bottom.

2. Start with your most recent degree.

List your most recent degree first and work backward. Include the name of the college, the degree earned, and the graduation date. Adding your most recent degree highlights your most recent education that you acquire. It will make the recruiter take a decision on the basis of your latest degree. Here’s a basic format to follow:

• Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

• Institution: University of California, Berkeley

• Graduation date: May 2023

3. Include relevant details

It’s important to add the details related to your recent degree. It could be your achievements and awards that you earn during your graduation. This can include:

• Honours and Awards: Summa Cum Laude, Dean’s List, Scholarships

• Relevant Coursework: List courses related to the job you’re applying for.

• Extracurricular Activities: Clubs, sports, or organisations you were involved in.

• Projects and Research: Mention any significant projects or research papers.

4. Keep  it concise

While it’s important to highlight your educational background, keep the information concise and relevant. Avoid unnecessary details that do not add value to your resume.

5. Tailor it to the job description

If you have coursework, projects, or achievements that are particularly relevant to the job you’re applying for, make sure to include those. Tailoring your education section can help you stand out to potential employers.

Examples of Education Sections

Example 1: Recent Graduate

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
  University of California, Berkeley, CA
  May 2023

  • Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Dean’s List (2020-2023)

  • Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Machine Learning, Database Systems

  • Projects: Developed a machine learning model to predict housing prices.

Example 2: Experienced Professional

Education

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  Harvard Business School, Boston, MA
  June 2015

  • Relevant Coursework: Strategic Management, Financial Accounting, Marketing Management

  • Activities: President of the Entrepreneurship Club

• Bachelor of Arts in Economics
  University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  May 2010

  • Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Dean’s List (2007-2010)

  • Extracurricular Activities: Member of the Economics Society, Captain of the Debate Team

Example 3: Entry-Level Position

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
  Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
  May 2022

  • Honors: Dean’s List (2019-2022)

  • Relevant Coursework: Typography, Digital Media, User Experience Design

  • Projects: Designed a comprehensive branding package for a local non-profit.

How to add completed education in my resume with example

Steps to Add Completed Education on a Resume

1. Create a Section for Education

• Label this section clearly as "Education."

2. List Your Most Recent Degree First

• Start with your highest and most recent degree.

3. Include Essential Details

• Degree: Name of the degree (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Marketing)

• Institution: Name of the school or university

• Location: City and state of the institution

• Graduation Date: Month and year of graduation

4. Highlight Relevant Details (Optional)

• Honors and Awards: Summa Cum Laude, Dean’s List, scholarships

• Relevant Coursework: Courses related to the job you're applying for

• Extracurricular Activities: Clubs, sports, or organizations you were involved in

• Projects and Research: Significant projects or research papers

5. Format Consistently

• Ensure that the formatting of your education section matches the rest of your resume.

Adding incomplete education to your resume can still be valuable, especially if the education is relevant to the job you are applying for. Here’s how to effectively list incomplete education on your resume, along with an example.

Example of a Completed Education Section

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Harvard Business School, Boston, MA
Graduated: June 2020

• Honors: Dean’s List (2018-2020)

• Relevant Coursework: Strategic Management, Financial Accounting, Marketing Management

• Activities: President of the Entrepreneurship Club

Bachelor of Science in Marketing University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Graduated: May 2016

• Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Dean’s List (2014-2016)

• Relevant Coursework: Consumer Behavior, Market Research, Digital Marketing

• Projects: Developed a comprehensive marketing plan for a local startup

Tips for Adding Completed Education

• Be Honest: Only include degrees you have completed.

• Tailor Your Section: Highlight aspects of your education that are most relevant to the job you're applying for.

• Keep It Concise: Focus on the most important information, avoiding unnecessary details.

How to add completed education in my resume with example

Steps to Add Incomplete Education on a Resume

1. Create a Section for Education

• Label this section clearly as "Education."

2. List the Education Details

• Degree: Name of the degree (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Computer Science)

• Institution: Name of the school or university

• Location: City and state of the institution

• Dates Attended: Include the years you attended or the expected graduation date (if applicable)

• Note Incompletion: Mention that the degree is "in progress," "expected," or "incomplete."

3. Highlight Relevant Details (Optional)

• Honors and Awards: Dean’s List, scholarships, etc.

• Relevant Coursework: List courses relevant to the job

• Extracurricular Activities: Clubs, sports, or organizations you were involved in

• Projects and Research: Significant projects or research papers

4. Format Consistently

• Ensure that the formatting of your education section matches the rest of your resume.

Example of Incomplete Education Section

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Incomplete) University of California, Berkeley, CA
Attended: August 2019 – May 2022

• Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Machine Learning, Database Systems

• Projects: Developed a machine learning model to predict housing prices

Associate of Arts in Graphic Design Community College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Expected Graduation: May 2024

• Relevant Coursework: Typography, Digital Media, User Experience Design

• Projects: Designed a comprehensive branding package for a local non-profit

Tips for Adding Incomplete Education

• Be Honest: Clearly indicate that the degree is not completed to avoid misleading potential employers.

• Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasize coursework, projects, and skills acquired during your studies that are relevant to the job.

• Include Dates: Mention the dates you attended or your expected graduation date to provide context.