How to Add an In-Progress Qualification to your CV

So, you’re halfway through a course, certification, or degree, and you’re keen to update your CV as you keep an eye on potential roles and career opportunities.

But, how exactly do you add an in-progress qualification to your CV without coming across as ill-equipped or overly confident?

Striking the right balance can be tricky, but don’t worry! In this blog, we’ll walk you through exactly how to showcase your ongoing qualifications, so you can stand out to employers and keep your career on track.

Why Adding In-Progress Qualifications to Your CV Matters

The requirements of a good CV have changed throughout the years, leaving many of us unsure about what to include, how much detail to go into, and what hiring managers are looking for.

However, with employers in the UK increasingly looking for candidates who are dedicated to their personal and professional development, it’s safe to say that listing an in-progress qualification on your CV is a no-brainer.

In fact, many employers are happy to hire or promote those who are still working towards their accredited qualifications – so it’s not so much why but how you present them that really matters!

How to List an In-Progress Qualifications on Your CV

The key to adding an in-progress qualification to your shining CV is presenting it in a way that feels natural and confident.

You want to be sure you're highlighting your efforts without overselling yourself or leaving any ambiguity about where you’re at in the learning process.

Here’s how:

1. Create a section for your qualifications

If you don’t do this already, the first step is to organise the content of your CV in a way that makes your qualifications easy to find.

In general, your CV is likely to include all, or a mixture of, the following sections:

• Personal Profile
• Education & Qualifications
• Work Experience
• Key Skills
• Projects and Achievements
• References

However, it’s important to think strategically about where to place an in-progress qualification on your CV – and the layout of your CV in general – as it’s your first opportunity to catch an employer’s eye.

Ask yourself, “What do I want employers to see first?”

That said, you may even want to tailor your CV for each job or industry you’re applying for – depending on the role and your level of experience!

If the qualification you're studying towards is listed in the essential criteria of the job description, for instance, you should make it clear that you’re on your way to completing a relevant course.

This might mean having the ‘Education’ section nearer the top of your CV, under your ‘Personal Profile’’.

This is especially useful if you’re a career changer or lacking in work experience, meaning your in-progress qualification is likely to be your strongest selling point – and you’ll want it to stand out!

However, if you do have a considerate amount of work experience on top of your in-progress qualification that’s related to the roles you’re applying for, it’s a good idea to highlight that first!

For example, if you have 3 years of experience as an HR Assistant and you’re now studying your CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management to progress in your HR career, try listing your work experience under your ‘Personal Profile’ instead of ‘Education’.

Top CV tip: Remember to list your training and in-progress qualifications in reverse order, with the most recent (and often most relevant) training first.

2. Use clear language

Transparency is key. You don’t want to mislead employers into thinking you’ve completed a qualification when you haven’t, right? That’s why using phrases, like the following, is the best approach when listing your in-progress qualification:

• “Currently studying”
• “In progress”
• “Expected completion [date]”
• “On track to complete”

You’ll also want to include:

• Name of the awarding body
• Qualification level
• Full name of the qualification

For example:

CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management, date of completion: 1st August 2025.

What if I’m studying my qualification online?

It does get a little trickier if you’re learning online through a self-paced course, as you might not be sure in which month – or even which year – you’re likely to complete your qualification.

However, this is where it pays off to be organised, so you can work towards an specific completion date.

Since it’s likely you’ve been on the course for several months, have a look at how far you are in the process and how long it took you to get there.

This will be a useful guide for how long it will take you to complete future modules, tasks and assignments – and when you should anticipate your certification.

If you’re struggling to estimate when you’ll finish your qualification, we recommend speaking to your tutor and asking for their input. Many online learning providers can offer an average timeline for when most students complete their course.

You can then add your in-progress qualification to your CV using the month and year!

For example:

AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting, expected completion January 2026.

If you’ve only just started the course and don’t have much of an indication of when you’ll finish, you can simply state the year instead.

For example:

CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement & Supply Operations, expected to be completed in 2026.

You may also want to include your predicted grade on a particular course (if applicable), although we recommend that you can back this up, in case you’re pulled up on it in an interview.

This way, employers can get a clear idea of the skills and knowledge you've gained from your qualification so far.

For example:

A Level English Literature, expected completion June 2025
University of Glasgow, predicted grade: [insert here]

3. Highlight relevant modules & skills

This point isn’t a requirement by any means, but if the qualification you’re studying is highly relevant to the job you're applying for, consider listing specific modules or coursework on your CV too.

If you’re applying for an entry-level HR role and you're studying a CIPD course, you can mention the specific skills or topics you're currently learning.

For example:

CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice, expected completion June 2026. Ongoing coursework includes:

• Performance Management
• Business Acumen
• Employee Relations

This shows recruiters and employers alike that even though you're still studying, you're already gaining skills that are valuable for the role – offering you a better chance for hiring or promotion.

4. Keep your CV updated

As you progress with your qualification, make sure to update your CV regularly. If you pass important modules or if your expected completion date changes, simply reflect that accordingly.

This will help demonstrate your commitment to staying organised and proactive, and even help keep you motivated!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While adding an in-progress qualification can be a great way to enhance your CV, there are a few common mistakes you’ll want to avoid, including:

• Underestimating your completion date: It’s important to remember that this shouldn’t be exaggerated. Be honest, clear and realistic. Employers may cross-check this, and any misinformation could hurt your credibility.
• Embellishing your progress: Don’t list modules you haven’t actually completed yet, as you may get pulled up on this info in an interview, or at work, and lack the knowledge to back it up.
• Forgetting to add the institution: Always mention the institution where you're studying (like DPG!). This adds legitimacy to your qualification and provides your employer – or potential employer – with more context about your learning journey.
• Overpacking your CV: If certain training or skills on your CV aren’t suited for the role you’re applying for, or your career goals, you don’t need to include it on your CV.

Employers get hundreds to thousands of CVs each year, so your CV should be as relevant and concise as possible.

Final Thoughts: A Little Progress Goes a Long Way

Adding an in-progress qualification to your CV doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it’s a great way to show employers that you’re proactive, ambitious, and dedicated.

Whether you’re smashing through your modules or just getting started, what matters is that you’re putting in the effort – and that deserves to be celebrated!

So, go ahead, give your CV an update. And who knows? That “in-progress” mention could be just the thing to accelerate your career.

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