Graduate Computer Science CV Example & Writing Tips for 2025

Ensure your CV format is structured to best highlight your unique experience and life situation.

How to write a computer science graduate CV

Here’s a quick guide to writing a CV if you’re a computer science degree graduate:

1. Highlight your technical experience

Showcasing your practical work is key to proving your technical skills as a computer science graduate fresh out of uni. Even if you don’t have much (or any) formal work experience, you can demonstrate these skills in other ways. Here’s how to effectively highlight your body of work on your CV:

GitHub and portfolio links

Include your GitHub profile, portfolio site, or relevant online projects in your contact section. These links allow employers to view your coding style, problem-solving approach, and commitment to developing your skills. A well-maintained GitHub also signals that you prioritise clean, reproducible code and are serious about your craft, traits that will align with employers’ values.

Projects section

If your experience mainly comes from university or personal projects, create a dedicated ‘Projects’ section. Be clear about what each project aimed to achieve, the technologies you used, and any specific challenges you overcame. For example:

Developed a mobile app to match language exchange partners using Java and Kotlin; implemented a custom algorithm to optimise user pairing based on availability and skill level.

Relevant modules

You can also highlight key university modules that are relevant to the roles you’re applying for. This helps demonstrate your knowledge base. For instance, a course on ‘Machine Learning’ supports your credibility when applying for AI-focused roles. Make sure your modules and skills section complement each other without repeating yourself too much.

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2. Write results-focused bullet points

If you don’t yet have enough industry experience to create a detailed work experience section, you should still show employers what you’ve learnt through your degree, projects, internships, and any voluntary work related to computer science. Focus on your practical contributions and the technical skills you developed along the way.

Example experience section for a graduate computer scientist

Software Development Intern
InnovateTech Solutions, Newcastle-upon-Tyne | June 20XX – August 20XX

• Collaborated with a team of developers to build a customer-facing web portal using Python and Flask
• Wrote unit tests and fixed bugs, improving code stability and reducing reported errors by 47%
• Participated in Agile sprints, gaining hands-on experience with Jira and Scrum methodologies

Final Year Project – Predictive Traffic Flow Model
University of Newcastle | January 20XX – May 20XX

• Designed a machine learning model to forecast urban traffic patterns using historical data sets
• Applied Python (scikit-learn, pandas) and visualised results with Tableau to present findings
• Conducted thorough testing and optimised model accuracy to 87% prediction reliability

These types of entries will show initiative, technical competence, and your ability to work in a structured way, even if you haven’t held a full-time job yet, making employers more likely to want to hire you despite a lack of pertinent experience.

3. Focus on technical and academic strengths in your personal profile

Your CV personal profile is your chance to summarise your technical expertise, academic achievements, and career goals.

It’s vital to be concise and clear here because hiring managers will decide whether to read the rest of your CV based on what they see here.

Mention your degree, highlight any standout achievements (like graduating with honours or a notable internship), and list your strongest technical skills.

You should also take the time to tailor your statement to each application by aligning it with the specific skills or tech stacks mentioned in the job advert, such as database management, software development, or cloud computing. It’s time consuming but impresses recruiting managers to see a tailored CV.

Example personal profile

Motivated computer science graduate with a First-Class Honours degree from the University of Manchester. Proficient in Python, Java, and SQL, with hands-on experience in software development through an internship at InnovateTech and academic projects focused on machine learning. Eager to contribute analytical thinking and technical expertise to a forward-thinking development team.

4. List your top computer science skills

In the computer science field, technical skills are essential. Employers will scan your skills section to check you meet their core requirements, so list your most relevant skills clearly. Prioritise technical skills and keep your list of soft skills short unless the job advert requests them specifically.

Examples of computer science skills to include on a CV

• Programming languages: Python, Java, C++
• Web development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
• Database management: SQL, MySQL, PostgreSQL
• Machine learning and AI: scikit-learn, TensorFlow
• Cloud technologies: AWS, Microsoft Azure
• Version control: Git/GitHub
• Software development methodologies: Agile, Scrum
• Data analysis and visualisation: pandas, Tableau
• Cybersecurity basics and encryption
• Debugging and quality assurance

If you’re applying for a specialist role (e.g., backend development), highlight the skills most relevant to that area. You can still include broader skills to show you’re a well-rounded candidate, but keep the focus sharp.