Introduction
An academic transcript is an official record of a students educational history throughout a course of study listing all the units completed, grades achieved and confirmation of any exemptions. The transcript typically includes GPA or CGPA metrics, and understanding the GPA vs CGPA differences is important when interpreting these scores. It must be issued on the institution’s official letterhead and bear an authorised signature or stamp to verify its authenticity. Let’s take a look at the ways to get an academic transcript:
- Contact your educational institution: Reach out to the registrar’s office, academic records office or student services department of your school or university.
- Submit a request: Most institutions require you to fill out a transcript request form, which can be done online or in person.
- Pay the required fees, if any: Sometimes institutions charge a small fee for processing or mailing transcripts, which is to be paid by the student.
- Wait for processing: Processing time can vary from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the institution.
- Delivery: You can usually choose to receive the transcript by post, email (digital copy), or have it sent directly to another institution.
What is a Transcript?
An academic transcript is a certified document that serves as official proof of a student’s educational achievements. It includes a comprehensive record of all subjects undertaken, along with the corresponding marks or grades awarded by the issuing institution.
What is a Transcript of Records (ToR)?
A transcript of records is essentially the same as an academic transcript, an official document that includes the student’s pursued programme, grades scored and other details of their overall performance in the entire period of study.
Documents known as Transcripts / Common Names of Transcripts
In India, an academic transcript is generally known as a marksheet, consisting of the student’s chosen subjects and marks achieved in them. Below is the list of all the documents commonly addressed as transcripts:
- Report Card
- Consolidated Marksheet
- Certificates
- Statement of Learning
- Transcript of Records
- Cumulative Record File
All these names are equally valid and are interchangeably used by different educational institutions to verify your past academic history and process your candidature.
What is a Consolidated Marksheet?
A consolidated marksheet is an official document issued by a university after a student has successfully completed their course. It provides a cumulative summary of the student’s academic performance, including the total marks or grades obtained across all semesters or years. This document is often essential when applying for higher education or employment, as it serves as proof of overall academic achievement. Unlike a transcript, which includes detailed subject-wise scores and credit information, the consolidated marksheet offers a more summarised view of the final results.
What is the difference between a Degree, Diploma, and Transcript?
Even though a degree, diploma and transcript serve as proof of completing a qualification, there still happen to be slight differences between the three. Let us have a brief overview of this:
| Parameters | Degree | Diploma | Transcript |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | It is an official credential that students earn by completing a programme or course. | Although diplomas are shorter in duration as opposed to degrees, they indicate that the student has completed a particular course and gained specific knowledge and skills in that field. | A professional document that covers all the student’s scholastic journey, chosen course, marks scored, subjects studied, the awards and accolades achieved and other necessary aspects of their educational background. |
| Level of Education | Higher education after the 12th standard. | After a senior secondary or undergraduate degree. | After the completion of a degree, certificate or diploma programme. |
| Study Scope | Broad academic field of study. | A specialised field of study. | A summary of information about the student’s academic performance. |
Significance of Academic Transcripts for Studying Abroad
- Proof of Academic Credentials: Academic transcripts provide official documentation of your educational history, including courses taken, grades earned and the duration of your programme.
- Essential for Admission Evaluation: Foreign universities use transcripts to assess your academic readiness for the course you are applying to, ensuring you meet the required prerequisites and academic standards.
- Used for Credit Transfers: If you are transferring to a university abroad or entering a pathway programme, transcripts help institutions determine which credits can be carried over.
- Supports Scholarship Applications: Many scholarships abroad are merit-based and your transcript serves as a key indicator of your academic performance and eligibility.
- Visa Documentation Requirement: Some embassies or visa officers request academic transcripts as part of the student visa application to verify the legitimacy of your educational background.
- Verification of No Backlogs (if applicable): A clean transcript (or one accompanied by a backlog certificate) is often required in countries where previous academic failures may affect admission chances.
What is an Academic Transcript Cover?
An academic transcript must cover all the important details of the student’s educational expedition including the name of the university/institution student studied at, the course/programme he chose to specialise in, his choice of subjects and modules, the grades scored in each of them, the practical work conducted throughout the study period and the record of his backlogs (if any). Furthermore, an academic transcript must be stamped or signed by the registry of the institution so that it rightly serves as an official letter-headed paper, demonstrating the authenticity of the student’s background.
When do students need a Transcript of Records & When to request one?
If a student aspires to study abroad, it is vital to submit all the valid documents in support of their candidature. This includes his academic transcripts or transcripts of record, serving as proof of completing school, university, diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Additionally, the students should request the transcript of records when they have completed a particular semester, academic year or an entire course, depending on their purpose. For example, if a student is aiming for a postgraduate programme abroad, it is advisable to request the transcripts well in advance of the application deadlines.
When and Why a Transcript is required & how to use it?
A transcript is required in various academic and professional situations where official verification of your educational background is needed. Usually, students require a transcript when applying for higher education, transferring to another institution, applying for scholarships or internships, submitting visa applications for studying abroad or seeking employment opportunities. In some cases, particularly for international applications, you may also need a backlog certificate format to document any cleared academic failures. The transcript provides a detailed record of the courses completed and the marks or grades earned, making it a crucial document for evaluating the student’s overall academic performance. Furthermore, to use a transcript, the student needs to submit it along with the application and in many cases, the institution may require it to be sent directly by the previous university in a sealed or official format.
Which transcript is needed for which course?
Generally, students need transcripts of the most recent course that they studied. For example:
- Those applying for an undergraduate degree abroad need academic transcripts of their secondary school education (12th grade) or pre-university education (undergraduate diploma).
- Those applying for a postgraduate degree abroad need academic transcripts for their undergraduate education.
List of Documents Required to Apply to Get Transcripts
Although the specific documents required for obtaining academic transcripts may differ from one institution to another, the following is a list of commonly requested documents that should be attached to your transcript application. When applying for technical programs, your transcript will be evaluated alongside your statement of purpose for computer science to assess both your academic preparation and your professional goals.
- Application form: A completed form for requesting transcripts, usually available on the institution’s website or at the registrar’s office.
- Valid ID-proof: A government-issued photo ID (such as a passport, driver’s license, or student ID) to verify your identity.
- Mark Sheets/Grade Sheets: Copies of all your mark sheets or grade sheets from each semester or academic year, if required.
- Enrolment Number/Student ID: Your unique student identification number or enrolment number, which is needed to locate your records.
- Payment Receipt: Proof of payment for any transcript processing fees, if applicable.
Sample Academic Transcript
What to do about the transcript if you are in your final year?
The students who are in their final year of study or are still awaiting their final results may not have direct access to their transcripts. In such instances, they will only receive their transcripts upon the completion of their course/degree, once the annual exam results are declared by the institution. However, for the students planning to apply for studies in a foreign country while pursuing their last year would require submitting some additional proof of their academic scores, such as their provisional transcripts, to validate the scores that they have achieved so far.
FAQs
1. What to do if I misplace my transcript?
A transcript is issued by the academic institution or the concerned board of affiliation, therefore, it is important to keep them safe and secure. However, in case a student loses their transcript, it is advisable to directly contact the board of education and request a duplicate transcript.
2. Are transcripts and a provisional certificate the same?
No, a provisional certificate is a temporary document confirming the completion of a course or programme, whereas a transcript is an official document reflecting the student’s entire academic journey through the course of study, their chosen subjects and grades achieved by them throughout.
3. Are academic transcripts and marksheets the same?
Academic transcripts and marksheets are related but not exactly the same. A marksheet is typically issued per semester or academic year and lists the subjects studied and the marks or grades obtained for that specific period. In contrast, an academic transcript is a comprehensive document that includes the student’s entire academic record throughout a course, often along with additional details like course credit and any honors or distinctions.
4. Who gives transcripts?
An academic transcript is issued by the school, college or university where the student has pursued their course of study or in some cases, it is directly issued by the affiliated authority.
5. How do I convert a marksheet to a transcript?
It is not exactly possible to convert a marksheet into a transcript as both serve different purposes. However, you can request your institution to gather all your mark sheets and prepare and issue an official transcript to you.
Conclusion
In essence, academic transcripts play a paramount role in a student’s educational and professional journey, serving as official proof of academic achievements and performance. Whether you are applying for higher education, pursuing opportunities abroad or seeking employment, having a well-documented and authentic transcript is extremely essential. Understanding the types of transcripts, their uses and the process for obtaining them can help students avoid unnecessary delays and ensure a smooth application experience. Additionally, for students in their final year, planning and securing provisional documents can be key when meeting tight admission deadlines. As each institution may have slightly different requirements, it is always advisable to verify the specific process with your university and, when needed, seek guidance from our expert counsellors at Fateh Education.
