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How long should a CV be in the UK?

One page or two? The simple rule for UK CVs depending on your experience, and how to save space without losing important information.

3 min readUpdated 13 November 2026Written with the help of AI

In the UK, the standard CV is no more than two sides of A4. Recruiters read a lot of applications, and a focused CV is easier to scan.

The simple rule

  • Students, school leavers and graduates: one page is usually enough.
  • A few years of experience: one to two pages.
  • Long career or senior roles: two pages, focusing on the last 10 to 15 years.

Some academic, medical and scientific CVs are longer because they list publications or clinical experience. That is the exception.

How to save space

  • Keep 2 to 5 bullet points per job, and fewer for older roles.
  • Group short or old jobs under "Earlier experience".
  • Remove your full address, a photo and "References available on request".
  • Cut generic skills that every candidate lists.

CVLibre warns you as soon as your CV goes over two pages, so you can see the result as you type.

The quickest way to start: fill in a ready-made template, see the result live and download the PDF. You can even describe your background in a few lines and let the AI fill in the form, then check everything. Free, no sign-up.

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