Education section in CV for a non Brit

[UglyModernWindows]

Well I’m a naturalised Brit now but grew up in Scandinavia. I’ve started to think about returning to work after a long spell as a SAHM and trying to improve my CV.

How should I state my GCSE’s when I’ve passed 14 subjects but have not sat a national exams as these were not a thing in my country?

And what about the higher education? I graduated from a vocational college with a degree in furniture and interior conservation. Again, no exams in the end, the grades were given based on work throughout the year and for specific projects completed. I have no idea what NVQ grade this would fall into.

You don’t have to convert them into U.K. qualifications, just list them exactly as they are.

Put down whatever high school qualification you did get and whether it’s equivalent to A level (end of high school + used for university entrance) or AS level (2nd to last year of high school). Give the proper name in the original language + an English translation. Don’t go into masses of detail on what subjects you did unless you don’t have any university/tertiary level qualifications or professional qualifications, unless it’s super relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you got a Distinction or some kind of endorsement or award for getting high marks you could mention that.

Thanks for the quick replies! Not sure if I understand though 🫣 Would something like this look ok?

NVQ level 3 (this seems to be the closest to my degree) in furniture & interior restoration, Vocational College’s name.

14 GCSEs completed in Scandi School in 1988, all passes.

Before kids I worked in the City (completely unrelated jobs to my degree!) and no-one never wanted to see or hear about my foreign education. Now it suddenly seems to matter 😵‍💫.

No, don't re-name them with UK equivalents. You'll then be asked for certificates which you can't provide.

Name them what they are called, potentially with (equivalent to GCSEs) and (equivalent to a degree (or whatever) in brackets after.

Write the original title don’t convert them. In brackets you can add (GCSE equivalent).

I come from another country. On my CV I have
XYZ School Leaving Certificate. Subjects studied: English, French, History, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Music

Which country is your degree from?

Sorry typing quickly, yes I was planning to say degree in equivalent to NVQ level 3.

@Riva5784 thanks!
@Rummikub Finland

You can see an approximation here for many European countries - most end of secondary exams in Europe correspond to A levels not GCSES in any case so it sounds like you might be underselling your qualifications.

I never translated my European exams into UK equivlents but the levels here in brackets might help, e.g. Scandi School Cert (Level 4 /A level equivalent)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Qualifications_Framework

Is it Kandidat?

You're going to struggle with the drop down application forms. I would convert them on that with a note in your covering letter otherwise you'll be filtered out automatically. On your actual CV, just put high-school certificate (GCSE stands for general certificate of secondary education, so literally high school certificate) and college / University level diploma as appropriate.

I hear you on the struggles. Where I am, they expect me to have English & maths qualifications taken at 18, and a separate BA and MA. I do my best to fit into their boxes.

Agree with pp, don't convert them. If you feel the need, you can add a not to explain the relevant bits eg

14 subject (all Pass) at qualification name. (Gcse equivalent)

Degree in furniture making and conservation from xxx University (grade). Vocational and theoretical degree covering x,y,z
(only include the x,y,z if it's relevant to the job, eg technical drawing and the jobs requires those skills)

If it helps, I have my UK education listed as GCSE's and A levels on my German CV even though they don't do them here and the system is very different.

I wouldn't try to convert them, as it might be unintentionally misleading.

I never put anything about GCSE level on my CV. It's only in few countrirs and employers understand it.
NVQ l3 equivalent or A-level equivalent depends what fits more.
I got jobs with absolutely no issues.

If you have a degree (you mention) you apparently shouldn't bother with GCSE on CV as universal advice goes as it's expected you obviously passed that level and it doesn't matter anymore.

Who asked you about GCSE level now?

I wouldn't try to convert them. Just provide an equivalent in brackets for reference if you like

I'm sure it will be zero problem having another country's quals but don't say you've got a specific certificate you haven't. If it comes up it could give a messy impression.

If it's a drop down then contact the company or put 'other' and list in your covering letter.

@UglyModernWindows It seems that all the Finnish degrees incl long cycle are equivalent to a UK bachelors degree.

If you have real problems without a Maths/English GSCE (eg you want to work in Education, or somewhere very "tick box" with their application process, you can get an "equivalent" certficate from ENIC. Costs about £50
https://www.enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx

But as PP have said, for your CV I would put

FinlandTownName Vocational College 2008 - 2010 (Finland)
Degree in furniture and interior conservation

FinlandTown Name Secondary School 2000-2007 (FInland)
Passed/Qualified/Matriculated (whatever the word should be) in 14 subjects including Maths & English

I would leave it as simple as that. Shows the progression/dates and can not be in anyway misleading

Don't claim any GCSEs or NVQs that you don't actually hold.

A cv does not have to follow a set structure. You can put

Education
(Name of School)
School Leaving Certificate passes in 14 subjects (Equivalent in Finland to GCSE level study)

Etc
Just write the truth.

If filling in a form with a dropdown box there's always an "Other" category

This.
You just write the qualifications and grades from your home country.
Recruiters look up the equivalent on the internet if they don't know what they actually are, but given that everywhere in Europe has some kind of state exam at around the same age and in more or less the same subjects, it's pretty widely known anyway.