academic background

Meaning

An 'academic background' refers to a person's history of education, including the schools they attended, the degrees they earned, and the subjects they studied. It is commonly used in professional contexts like job applications, resumes, and academic profiles.

Examples

• Her strong academic background in biochemistry made her the ideal candidate for the lab position.

  Her strong academic background in biochemistry made her the ideal candidate for the lab position.

• Please provide a brief summary of your academic background on the first page of your CV.

  Please provide a brief summary of your academic background on the first page of your CV.

• Despite having a non-traditional academic background, he quickly excelled in the tech industry.

  Despite having a non-traditional academic background, he quickly excelled in the tech industry.

• The scholarship committee will evaluate both your work experience and your academic background.

  The scholarship committee will evaluate both your work experience and your academic background.

• My academic background is primarily in classical literature, but I later transitioned to journalism.

  My academic background is primarily in classical literature, but I later transitioned to journalism.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have an academic history in engineering.

  ✓ I have an academic background in engineering.

  While 'history' makes literal sense, 'academic background' is the standard, natural collocation used in CVs and professional contexts.

• ✗ She has a very high academic background.

  ✓ She has a very strong/impressive academic background.

  We describe backgrounds as 'strong', 'impressive', 'distinguished', or 'diverse' rather than 'high'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The job description requires applicants to have an ___ in computer science.

  💡 Educational history or qualifications.

  Show answer

  academic background

• Although her ___ is in history, she has been working as a financial analyst for five years.

  💡 What she studied at university.

  Show answer

  academic background