When applying for a scholarship in an English-speaking country like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia, your CV or resume is one of the most important documents you’ll submit. For the scholarship committee, it summarizes your education, experience, and achievements on one or two pages.
Nevertheless, if your CV is written in another language, you will need to translate and adapt it carefully. Poorly translated CVs can confuse evaluators and make your accomplishments appear unclear. Alternatively, a well-translated one shows professionalism, attention to detail, and a readiness to study abroad.
The guide will explain how to prepare your CV for international review panels and how to translate it into English.
1. Determine the purpose of your CV in the context of scholarship applications
Scholarship CVs are more than job applications – they are a summary of your academic, professional, and extracurricular achievements that show you deserve financial aid.
The difference between a scholarship CV and a corporate resume is that scholarship CVs emphasize:
- The achievement of excellence in academics (grades, awards, publications, and research).
- Participation in the community (volunteering, leadership development, and social impact).
- Having worked in a relevant position or during an internship.
- Skills (languages, research tools, computer software).
- Accomplishments aligned with the scholarship’s goals.
When translating your CV, make sure it is clear, precise, and relevant to the scholarship’s objectives.
2. Selecting the Right CV Format for English-Speaking Countries
Before translating a CV, make sure you check the standard format in the country you’re targeting:
- US/Canada: “Resumes” usually refer to one or two pages (job applications, scholarships). Focusing on achievements, the letter is concise.
- UK/Australia: CVs may be longer, up to two or three pages, emphasizing academic history and extracurricular activities.
You should aim for two pages maximum in most English-speaking contexts, with clear headings and bullet points.
3. Use accurate translation instead of literal translation
Word-for-word translations are not recommended. Pay attention to the context and meaning, not the words themselves. It may be necessary to adapt some terms or academic structures from your country to the English-speaking system.
For instance:
- Translate “Licence” into “Bachelor’s Degree” in French-speaking countries.
- It is best to translate the term “Master’s Degree” as “Maîtrise.”
- Essentially, a Baccalaureat is a high school diploma.
In the case of an institution that uses grading systems that are unfamiliar to English speakers, please provide both the local grade and a GPA or percentage equivalent.
For instance:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from University of Lagos (Nigeria), 4.6/5.0 grade point average (equivalent to 3.7/4.0).
This will allow scholarship panels to assess your performance more fairly.
4. Ensure that you use the standard English sections on your CV
The following are universally recognized English headings to use when you rewrite your translated CV:
- Give a brief description of yourself (your full name, email address, phone number, LinkedIn account, and location).
- System of education
- Awards and scholarships
- Projects and Research
- Professional Experience or Internships
- Extensive volunteer experience
- Languages and skills
- Certifications or Trainings
- References (optional)
Abbreviations and terms specific to your country should be avoided whenever possible. “National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) – Nigeria” can replace “NYSC.”
5. Simplify and standardize the terminology used in education
There is a great deal of difference between the educational systems of different countries. Use terms and formats that can be understood globally:
Among them are:
- “Institute of Technology” should be written instead of “Polytechnic.”
- The term “High School Diploma (Equivalent)” should be used instead of “Senior Secondary Certificate.”
- “Graduated with First Class Honours (3.8/4.0 GPA)” should be substituted for “First Class Honours.”
In particular, if you want to include an acronym that is specific to your country, be sure to spell it out on the first mention.
6. Describe achievements in action verbs
Measurable achievements are highly valued in scholarship evaluations. Make sure you use strong action verbs when describing your responsibilities.
For instance:
- Originally: “I arranged student activities.”
- It states: “Organized and led five university-wide events with over 500 students in attendance.”.
Other effective action verbs include: developed, implemented, initiated, managed, coordinated, achieved, contributed, designed, presented, and supervised.
7. Formatting and converting dates
There is usually a difference in the way dates are written in English-speaking countries.
Correctly format:
- Month-to-month (e.g., June 2021 – August 2022).
A local date style such as 06/2021-08/2022 may cause confusion for international readers.
Formatting a CV consistently means using the same font, alignment, and spacing throughout.
8. Adapt your CV’s tone and style
The academic CV and scholarship application should sound professional, while also being concise. You should keep your language formal and avoid flowery expressions. Language should be simple, active, and positive.
For instance:
- Avoid writing: “I am humbled by the opportunity to fulfill my long-held dreams.”
- Passionate about renewable energy research and innovation, motivated to excel academically.”
Make sure your tone does not convey desperation, but rather confidence.
9. Transform extracurricular activities and volunteer experiences into language
Extracurricular activities can have a huge impact on your child’s development. A number of scholarships, especially those in the United States and the United Kingdom, value community involvement, leadership, and volunteerism.
As a result of these experiences, we can say:
- The focus should be on roles, responsibilities, and results.
- If available, provide the English equivalents of organizations or their global names.
- Measuring your impact will help you to improve.
As an example:
Participated in blood donation campaigns with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, reaching 400 people.
The purpose of any culturally specific experience (e.g., community events, student groups) should be explained briefly so that an international audience can understand it.
10. Put an emphasis on academics and transferrable skills
Scholarships are awarded to students who can contribute both academically and socially. Along with hard skills (technical knowledge), soft skills (leadership, teamwork, adaptability) should also be included.
For instance:
- The hard skills required include data analysis, SPSS, AutoCAD, laboratory testing, and public health research.
- Soft skills include intercultural communication, time management, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Find the international equivalents of skill names. Instead of “WAEC Computer Studies,” use “High School Computer Proficiency (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
11. Consult an English native speaker before proofreading
The following people should always review your CV after translation:
- Fluent or native English speakers
- Professional proofreading
- A university’s international office or scholarship advisors.
They can spot grammar, vocabulary, and tone errors.
Using direct machine translation tools without editing is not recommended – they can be helpful for the first draft but often result in inaccurate translations.
12. Maintain a professional and culturally neutral tone
Different countries have different CV conventions. In English-speaking countries:
- In most cases, you do not need to include personal information such as age, marital status, religion, or a photo unless it is required.
- Unrelated hobbies and politics should be avoided.
- Maintaining a professional email address requires you to use your name instead of a nickname.
As an example:
✅ okotiejohn@gmail.com
❌ cooljohn234@hotmail.com
These small details contribute to professionalism.
13. Ensure that references are properly translated and formatted
Translate the names and affiliations of your referees and recommendation writers if they don’t speak English.
As an example:
Doctor Maria Nwosu is a senior lecturer at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, in the Department of Microbiology.
Be sure to include their professional email address. It is not necessary to translate names, but it is important to make clear titles and positions.
14. Provide a brief description of your objectives or profile
Give a brief overview of your background, goals, and motivation (two to three sentences).
As an example:
Holds a degree in environmental science and has extensive research and leadership experience. The development of communities and the development of sustainable energy solutions are two of my passions. A scholarship opportunity would be appreciated for pursuing an environmental policy master’s degree.”
Reviewers will be able to get a quick overview of your persona before getting into the details.
15. Ensure that the design and format are clear
A candidate’s CV should be neat and well-structured. Your document should be formatted as follows:
- Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman) are recommended.
- A font size of 11–12 points is used for the text, and a font size of 14–16 points is used for section titles.
- Margin should be about one inch (2.5 cm) on all sides.
- To clearly separate sections, use bold headings.
- Use bullet points to make reading easier.
Remember that scholarship reviewers face hundreds of applications – clarity is your best weapon.
16. Customize your CV for each scholarship
Scholarships value different qualities. Ensure your CV emphasizes the aspects relevant to their goals:
- Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships are based on leadership and community service.
- DAAD and Fulbright awards recognize research excellence.
- For business-focused scholarships (e.g., Stanford Knight-Hennessy), develop innovative ideas and entrepreneurship.
Using one generic CV for all applications is not a good idea.
17. Ensure that translations of supporting documents are consistent
Translate other documents (such as certificates, transcripts, and recommendation letters) using the same terminology as your CV. Consistency helps reviewers understand your background without being confused.
Embassies and scholarship boards should certify translators performing official translations.
18. Ensure that a master copy is maintained
There should be two versions of your CV:
- The original version (in your native language) can be used locally.
- Version translated into English from the international scholarship.
Make sure you keep both up-to-date on your accomplishments, awards, and experiences.
In conclusion
A CV must be translated for scholarship applications in English-speaking countries, as well as adapted for an international audience. With a well-structured, polished CV, you can demonstrate your readiness to study, research, and contribute to the global community.
By translating your CV correctly, you demonstrate competence, resilience, and ambition – qualities that scholarship committees are looking for.
Translating your CV carefully, seeking feedback from experts, and tailoring it to each position are all important. With a well-written resume, you’ll move closer to achieving your scholarship goal.