Are you studying towards a qualification, completing a short course or waiting for a certification? You can still include it on your CV—as long as you make the status and expected completion date clear.
For South African job seekers, listing current studies can show employers that you are building relevant skills. It may strengthen your application for graduate roles, learnerships, internships, remote work and entry-level positions. The key is to be accurate and avoid making an unfinished qualification look complete.
Why expected completion dates matter on your CV
Recruiters need to understand three things quickly:
- What are you studying?
- Where or with whom are you studying?
- When do you expect to complete it?
An expected completion date gives useful context. For example, an employer may be willing to appoint you while you finish a qualification, but may need to know whether you will complete it next month or in two years.
It also helps applicant tracking systems and recruiters identify relevant education. If a job requires a specific qualification, including your current course and estimated completion date can show that you are working towards the requirement.
Key takeaway: Never list an unfinished course as if you already hold the final qualification.
Where should you list an unfinished qualification?
In most cases, include current or incomplete studies in the Education, Qualifications or Professional development section of your CV.
Place the most relevant and recent qualification first. If you are currently studying towards a degree, diploma, certificate or occupational qualification, it should usually appear above older completed education.
A simple structure looks like this:
Qualification or course name
Institution or training provider, Location
Month Year started – Expected Month Year completion
Relevant modules, projects or achievements
You do not need to write a long explanation. The wording should be easy to scan and impossible to misunderstand.
The best format for an expected completion date on a CV
Use a consistent month-and-year format. This is clearer than writing only “currently studying” because it gives the employer a realistic timeline.
Recommended date formats
- January 2024 – Expected December 2026
- 2024 – Expected completion: 2026
- February 2025 – Present; anticipated completion: November 2025
- In progress; expected completion in June 2026
The cleanest option for most CVs is:
January 2024 – Expected December 2026
This format shows when you started and when you expect to finish.
Avoid overly precise dates unless your institution has confirmed them. An expected completion date can change because of examinations, outstanding modules, workplace hours or administrative delays.
Examples of how to list current courses and qualifications
Example 1: Degree still in progress
Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing
University of South Africa (Unisa)
January 2024 – Expected completion: December 2026
This clearly shows that the degree is not yet complete.
Example 2: Diploma with an anticipated graduation date
National Diploma in Information Technology
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
February 2023 – Anticipated completion: November 2025
“Anticipated completion” is a professional alternative to “expected completion.” Both are acceptable.
Example 3: Short online course
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
Coursera
In progress – Expected completion: August 2025
For a short course, including the provider is useful. You can also add the main skills covered:
Key topics: spreadsheets, SQL, data cleaning and data visualisation
Only include topics you have actually studied or practised.
Example 4: Pending certification
CompTIA A+ Certification
CompTIA
Exam preparation in progress – Exams planned for October 2025
This is better than writing “CompTIA A+ Certified” before passing the examinations.
Example 5: Learnership or occupational qualification
Occupational Certificate: IT Support
Skills development provider, Gauteng
March 2025 – Expected completion: February 2026
Workplace training and practical assessments in progress
If you are completing a learnership, include practical training where relevant. Employers often value workplace exposure as well as the final certificate.
For more guidance on moving from training into employment, see this practical guide on getting your first job after completing a learnership.
What wording should you use?
The wording should match your actual situation. Choose one of the following labels:
| Your situation | Suitable CV wording |
|---|---|
| You are actively studying | In progress |
| You have not yet finished the qualification | Expected completion: June 2026 |
| Your institution uses a graduation date | Expected graduation: December 2025 |
| You are waiting for final results | Completed; results pending |
| You have passed but are waiting for the certificate | Completed; certificate pending |
| You have booked an examination | Exam scheduled for October 2025 |
| You paused the course | Studies paused after completing three modules |
| You withdrew from the course | Completed selected modules; qualification not completed |
Do not use “graduating” if you have not completed all academic or practical requirements. Graduation ceremonies and certificate issue dates may happen after the actual academic completion date.
How to list a qualification when you are waiting for results
Sometimes you have completed your assignments, exams or practical requirements but are still waiting for official results. In this situation, do not use “expected completion” if the work is already finished.
Instead, write:
Higher Certificate in Business Management
Institution name
Completed: November 2025 – Final results pending
Or:
National Certificate: Engineering Studies
College name
All requirements completed; certificate pending
This tells the employer that you have completed the work but do not yet have the final documentation.
If the job requires proof, be prepared to provide an academic transcript, statement of results or confirmation letter. Do not claim that you hold the completed qualification until the institution confirms it.
How to list an unfinished degree on your CV
An unfinished degree can still demonstrate valuable knowledge, discipline and transferable skills. However, you must show exactly what you completed.
For example:
Bachelor of Arts
University of Pretoria
2021 – 2023
Completed coursework in communication, media studies and research methods; degree not completed
You can also write:
Bachelor of Science, coursework completed
University of Johannesburg
2022 – 2024
Avoid listing only:
Bachelor of Science
University of Johannesburg
2022 – 2024
That version may suggest the degree was awarded. If you did not complete the qualification, add “coursework completed,” “not completed” or a similar accurate explanation.
Where appropriate, mention relevant modules, projects or credits. This is particularly helpful when applying for a role related to the subjects you studied.
Should you include the expected completion date in your CV profile?
Usually, the full date belongs in the Education section rather than the professional profile. However, you can mention your study status in the profile if it directly supports your application.
Example profile wording
Junior administration professional currently completing a Higher Certificate in Office Administration, with expected completion in November 2025. Skilled in Microsoft Office, document control and customer communication.
This works because the qualification is relevant to the target role. If the course has little connection to the job, keep it in the Education section instead.
How to handle courses with uncertain completion dates
Some courses do not have a fixed end date. This is common with self-paced online programmes, part-time study and flexible distance learning.
You can use wording such as:
- Self-paced course, currently in progress
- Expected completion: late 2025
- Target completion: December 2025
- Currently completing final module
- Exam preparation in progress
Use “target completion” when the date is your own estimate rather than an official date from the provider.
A good example is:
Project Management Fundamentals
Online training provider
Self-paced; target completion: September 2025
Do not invent an official completion date if the provider has not given you one.
What if the job requires a qualification you are still completing?
You can still apply if the advertisement allows candidates who are studying towards the requirement. Read the wording carefully:
- “Degree required” may mean the qualification must already be completed.
- “Degree or studying towards a degree” generally allows current students.
- “Degree preferred” means it may improve your application but is not always essential.
- “Final-year students considered” usually requires you to be close to completion.
If you do not meet every requirement, focus on related skills, practical experience and completed modules. You can also explain your status in your cover letter.
Read how to apply for a job when you do not meet every requirement for practical ways to present your strengths honestly.
Should you include completed modules or credits?
Yes, when they are relevant to the role. This is especially useful if you are studying part-time, changed direction or did not complete the full qualification.
Examples include:
- Completed 8 of 10 modules
- Completed 120 credits
- Relevant modules: bookkeeping, payroll and financial reporting
- Final project: developed a customer feedback survey
- Practical training: 240 workplace hours completed
Avoid filling your CV with every subject. Select the modules and projects that connect directly to the vacancy.
Common mistakes to avoid
Listing an unfinished qualification as completed
This can damage your credibility if the employer checks your records. Write “in progress,” “expected completion” or “results pending.”
Using vague wording only
“Currently studying” does not tell the recruiter when you expect to finish. Add a month and year where possible.
Claiming a certification before passing
You may write “preparing for” or “exam scheduled,” but do not use “certified” until the certification has been awarded.
Hiding a change in study status
If you paused or withdrew from a course, use accurate wording. You can still highlight completed modules and skills.
Including too much educational detail
Your CV should remain focused. Include the qualification status, expected date and relevant evidence, not a full academic history unless requested.
Using inconsistent dates
Choose one format, such as “January 2024 – Expected December 2026,” and use it throughout the CV. Consistency makes your document look more professional and easier to review.
How to make the date ATS-friendly
Many employers use applicant tracking systems to scan CVs. Keep your education details in plain text and use familiar terms.
Helpful practices include:
- Write the full qualification name before any abbreviation.
- Include the institution or training provider.
- Use standard month-and-year dates.
- Add relevant job-description terms naturally.
- Avoid placing education details inside images, graphics or text boxes.
- Use headings such as Education, Qualifications or Certifications.
For broader formatting guidance, see this guide on making your CV ATS-friendly without keyword stuffing.
A ready-to-use CV template
You can adapt this template for a current course, qualification or certification:
[Qualification or course name]
[Institution or training provider], [City or online]
[Month Year started] – Expected completion: [Month Year]
Status: Currently completing [number of modules, credits or practical requirements].
Relevant areas: [skill or module], [skill or module], [project or practical experience].
For a pending certificate:
[Certification name]
[Certification body]
Exam scheduled for [Month Year] / Results pending
Relevant preparation: [tools, subjects or skills studied].
Final checklist before sending your CV
Before applying, check that:
- Your expected completion date is realistic.
- The qualification is clearly marked as incomplete or in progress.
- You have not claimed a pending certification as completed.
- The institution or training provider is included.
- Relevant modules and practical experience are easy to find.
- Your date format is consistent across the CV.
- The qualification matches the job requirements where possible.
- You can provide supporting documents if requested.
Listing an expected completion date is straightforward when you focus on accuracy and clarity. Show employers what you are studying, how far you have progressed and when you expect to finish—then support the qualification with practical skills, projects or experience that demonstrate what you can already do.