How to list education on a resume

Employers in Malaysia pay close attention to the education section on resumes. It tells interviewers about your background and helps them see how well you fit the job. 

Listing education on your resume can enhance your chances of securing the job. You can stand out, if your educational qualifications relate to the position or has the vital credentials. 

In this article, we will talk about how to list education on resume and format it. We will also walk you through some examples of different education scenarios. 

Here's what we will cover: 

• Information to include in your resume education section 
• How to list completed education (with examples) 
• How to list incomplete or in-progress education on a resume (with examples) 
• How to list education in resume if you don't have a degree (with examples) 
• Tips for your resume education section 
• Conclusion 
• FAQs 

Information to include in your resume education section 

When checking your resume's education section, here's what hiring managers look for: 

• the name of your school 
• the location of your school 
• the degree, diploma, or certification you obtained (if applicable) 
• your field of study 
• your graduation date or year (if relevant) 
• any relevant honours or academic recognition, activities, coursework, or other achievements you attained 

Keep the education section concise, ideally around 15 to 30 words. Customise your formatting to match the requirements of the job you are applying for.  

If you're a recent graduate, provide more details. Include the courses you completed that directly relate to the role. Ensure your education section features well since it's your primary experience. 

If you have prior work experience, keep the education section brief. Instead highlight your work history. This way the hiring managers will focus on your professional experience. 

Under high school education and college degree, highlight your learning achievements. This will show employers how skilled you are for the job and how you can help them. 

How to list completed education on resume (with examples) 

Here are a few tips and resumé education section examples: 

For recent graduates (1–5 years) 

If you are a recent graduate, place this detail before your work experience on your resume. Add the passing year, any academic honours and your cumulative grade point average (CGPA) if it's above 3.4.  

Academic honours include first-class, upper second-class, lower second-class, and third-class honours. These aspects provide context and highlight your academic accomplishments. 

If you attended several schools, focus on the one in which you were most involved. This helps employers better understand your educational background. It also emphasises your active participation in that institution.  

Here's an example of a resume education section: 

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science 

           Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (2017–2021), Skudai 

           First-Class Honours 

           CGPA: 3.75 

For experienced professionals (five or more years) 

If you have 5 or more years of professional experience, place it above the education section. This emphasises your recent achievements and work history. Employers often focus on this over an academic background. Consider omitting specific details such as attendance dates and your CGPA. 

If you've completed graduate-level education, mention these degrees first in your education history. This includes a master's degree or doctoral degree. List your highest degree first. So, add your Ph.D. before your master's and bachelor's degree. 

Here's a example to illustrate: 

• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 

           Master of Science in Neuroscience, Universiti Sains Malaysia 

           Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Taylors University 

For graduates with multiple degrees 

If you have multiple degrees or a double major, then the education section format will change. Place your most recent degrees or those most relevant to the job on top. 

Create separate entries for each degree to present them effectively. Include the degree title, field of study, university name, and graduation year. 

Here's an example of how to list education for graduates with more than one degree: 

• Master of Business Administration 

           Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 

           Graduation Year: 2020 

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Industrial) 

           Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 

            Graduation Year: 2017 

These formatting guidelines can showcase your educational achievements. They also enable future employers to learn about your academic background. 

How to list incomplete or in-progress education on a resume (with examples) 

 If you are currently an undergraduate student, add the projects you have worked on. Mention your expected graduation date as well. This allows potential employers to see your studies, relevant coursework, and notable achievements. 

Also, put your resume education section below your contact information and summary statement. Include the name of the institution and the degree you're pursuing. Additionally, you may want to consider adding these details if applicable: 

• Honours or academic achievements 
• CGPA (if it's 3.4 or above) 
• Extracurricular activities or organisations 

Secondary school and college education examples 

Here are some education section examples for secondary school and university students. 

Secondary school education example: 

• Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Abdullah Munshi | Penang, Malaysia 

            Expected graduation date: 2023 (Grade: B) 

            Science Club President 

            Chess Club Member 

College example: 

• Universiti Malaya | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

           B.S. in Computer Science candidate | Diploma expected 2023 

           Prominent Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms 

           Tunku Abdul Rahman Scholarship 

Incomplete education example 

If you have unfinished education, you can still list relevant coursework you completed. Including certifications can also enhance your resume education section. Consider including a separate section for your relevant professional development. This information can be valuable to employers if it relates to the job requirements. 

Below are a few examples with unfinished education or professional achievements included. 

University example: 

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia | Bangi, Malaysia 

Completed Coursework: Calculus, Financial Accounting, Marketing Principles 

Certification example: 

DHS Institute of Technology | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

Certificate in Assistant Nurse, 2019 

How to list education on a resume if you don't have a degree (with examples) 

If your highest education is secondary school, list it in your resumé like this: 

• Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 
  ⁠   Graduated in 2005 

You can also add your skills and achievements in the resumé. You may include honours, awards, extracurricular activities, or relevant secondary school subjects. 

Tailor your resume to the job description. Add activities that align with the keyword skills listed in the job description. You can include coursework descriptions. Also, consider adding classes that are relevant to the position you're applying for.  

But what if you didn't finish your secondary school education? Here is an example of how to structure your education section: 

• Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Ismail, Johor, Malaysia 
  ⁠            Attended school from 2003 to 2005 

Simply write the name of your school and the years you attended. 

Tips for your resume education section 

Here are some simple tips for your resumé education section: 

• Provide clear and accurate information: Double-check all details. Make sure school names, dates attended, and degrees earned are accurately mentioned. Mistakes can compromise your resumé's credibility. 
• Prioritise the most relevant degree: Do you hold multiple degrees? Then highlight the one that aligns best with the position you're applying for. This directs the hiring manager's attention to your most relevant qualifications. 
• Use action verbs for your education: Do not simply list your educational details. Instead use strong action verbs to portray your skills and academic achievements. For instance, avoid saying you “studied accounting.” Instead consider writing that you, “applied advanced accounting principles to analyse financial data.” 

Conclusion 

The resume education section is crucial for displaying your qualifications to potential employers. It gives insight into your academic background, skills, and accomplishments. To make this section impressive, provide accurate details. Emphasise the most relevant university degree and use action verbs in descriptions. 

Now is a great time to review and update your resumé's education section. Add any new courses or certifications you've completed to accurately reflect your accomplishments. A well-crafted education section can enhance your prospects in the Malaysian job market. 

FAQs 

1. Should you list all your subjects under the education section of the resume, or is just mentioning a degree's title good enough? 
   ⁠Mentioning the degree title is usually enough in the education section of your resume. Listing all the subjects may be unnecessary and can make it look cluttered. Employers often prioritise the bachelor's degree you obtained over individual coursework. 
   ⁠
   ⁠There are exceptions to this rule, especially for specialised technical or professional roles. In these cases, you can mention relevant courses as bullet points. Or create a separate section called "Relevant Coursework." Always consider the job requirements. Customise your resumé to showcase the most pertinent information. 
2. Should I put education first on my resume? 
   ⁠It is a good practice to prioritise the education section by placing it at the top of your resume. This is particularly beneficial if you're a recent graduate. You should also do it if your education aligns with the job you're applying for. Highlighting your education first draws attention to your qualifications for the hiring manager. 
   ⁠
   ⁠But, if your work experience is extensive and more relevant, then prioritise that. Place your education section below your work experience. Emphasise your professional background while still providing essential information about your education. 
3. Should I include my secondary school education on my resume? 
   ⁠If you've already graduated or have a lot of relevant work experience, there's usually no need to list your secondary school. However, if you've recently graduated from secondary school, it can be included in your resume. 
4. Should I list my CGPA on my resume? 
   ⁠Including your CGPA on your resume is neither standard nor necessary. The primary focus of a resume is to showcase your relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications. However, there are circumstances where including your CGPA can be beneficial: 
   ⁠
   ⁠Academic positions: For academic or research roles, your CGPA is relevant, so include it. 
   ⁠Fresh graduates: Your high CGPA can help if you are a recent graduate. It can highlight your academic achievements instead of your limited work history. 
   ⁠Competitive programmes/scholarships: Are you applying for highly competitive programmes? Do you need a scholarship? Either way your academic performance is a crucial evaluation factor. Hence, a high CGPA can improve your chances of being chosen for the programme/scholarship. 
5. Should I include online courses or certificates in my resume education section? 
   ⁠You can add online courses or certificates if they align with the job you're applying for. These achievements highlight your ongoing education, skill development, and commitment to professional growth.  
   ⁠Here are some tips to make a positive impression when including online courses or certifications: 
   ⁠⁠⁠Title and provider: Mention the course or certification name along with the platform or institution. 
   ⁠⁠Relevance: Prioritise courses directly related to your target job or industry. 
   ⁠⁠Certification date: Include the completion date to indicate the recency of your achievement. 
   
   ⁠You can include online courses in "Education and Certifications" section on your resume. Or you can integrate them into your education details, depending on its structure. But ensure that you include only credible and recognised courses to boost your resume's value. If you have completed several courses, consider listing only the most pertinent ones.