What are Academic Transcripts and How to get it?

So many types of qualifications, so many names of certificates... It is quite natural to get confused as to what a transcript is and how it differs from a degree or diploma. What is the purpose of each document and why are these required? Academic transcripts are officially stamped documents that come from the applicant's institution stating the grades/scores applicant has scored in the subject-wise study.

Let us understand everything in this article pertaining to academic transcripts along with covering the following questions with their answers:

• Where to find or get a Transcript from?
• When and why a Transcript is required?
• How to use a Transcript?

We will discuss all these aspects including the other common names of transcripts to avoid further confusion.

What is a Transcript?

A transcript is proof of education. It has a detailed record of all the subjects you have studied with your scores in the form of marks or grades given by the institution of study.

Check: How to convert 10 point CGPA to 4 point GPA?

What is a Transcript of Records (ToR)?

A Transcript of Record (ToR) is merely another name for a Transcript or Academic Transcript. There is no difference between these two or any of the names given below.

Documents known as Transcripts / Common Names of Transcripts

Transcripts are commonly known as mark sheets in India. Given below is a list of documents known as Academic Transcripts or other names of Transcripts:

• Mark Sheet
• Mark List
• Academic Certificates
• Report Card
• Diploma Supplement
• Statement of Learning
• Record of Achievement
• Academic Record
• Cumulative Record File (CRF)
• Permanent Record
• Transcript of Records (ToR)

You don't have to possess all of the above. These are just the other names of your academic transcripts and you need to have some proof to certify the qualifications you have completed to prove your candidature.

What is a Consolidated Marksheet?

Once a student completes his or her course, the university provides a consolidated mark sheet to him/her. This mark sheet is also essential while applying for higher education anywhere else. It contains all the academic scores/grades, of all years or semester exams, that a student has received.

Check: How To Plan Your Study Abroad Application Process

What is the difference between a Degree, Diploma, and Transcript?

Though all the documents — Transcript, Degree, Diploma, Certificate, and Mark Sheet — are proofs of completing an education qualification, a Transcript is different than a Diploma or a Degree.

Diploma/Degree/Certificate:

The final certificate you receive upon completing your educational qualification is called a Degree or a Diploma or a Certificate depending upon the nature of the programme pursued.

Transcript of Records (ToR):

The mark sheet that covers all the academic records of a student is called a Transcript or ToR. It implies a sheet that contains the list of all the courses/subjects studied, grades received against each column, the awards and achievements of the student, and also the degrees granted to the student for the entire academic programme. There is no limit on the information that could be provided in a transcript.

What is a Transcript cover?

A transcript must cover a complete list or table of yearly modules/subjects and practical work that we have studied and conducted throughout the study period. It consists of our marks or grades or in some cases the subject-wise credit value mentioned in it, considering the grading system followed by an institution.

A transcript must have the following information:

It may or may not have the following information:

• The overall grade received by the student for the entire academic course/year
• The total number of students in the class (overall strength of the class to compare where a particular student ranks)
• The average grade of the class specifies where a particular student stands

Note: A transcript should always be signed with a stamp by the registry of the institution so that it may serve as an official letter-headed paper.

Check: Credential Evaluation: Why is it necessary?

When do students need a Transcript of Records? When to request one?

To attend a college or university abroad, the applicants need to provide the admission committee with a set of documents to support their previous academic qualifications. These documents are called Academic Transcripts or Transcripts of Records. As proof of completing your school, undergraduate, or post-graduation, these documents are mandatory to justify your suitability for the programme that you aspire to pursue.

When and Why a Transcript is required? How to use it?

Students need to produce the transcripts while making an application to an abroad university to attend the choice of their course. Students should keep their documents handy as soft copies to upload then and there to complete an application. Some abroad universities require their students to send out hard copies of their transcripts through couriers such as DHL services. It is recommended to read the university requirements thoroughly before sending out your documents.

Which transcript is needed for which course?

As per the general requirements, you need the transcripts of the latest course studies.

• Those applying for a graduate degree abroad need the transcripts for their undergraduate education.
• Those applying for an undergraduate degree abroad need the transcripts of their Secondary School Education (12th grade) or Pre-University Education (Undergraduate Diploma).

However, in rare cases, the universities may ask for proof of your last two or more qualifications. In any case, the universities always specify what they require. Most graduate schools do not need your school transcripts for master's or MBA courses.

Check: Types of Admission Essays - UG, MBA, Scholarship & Gap-year Essays

What to do about the transcript if you are in your final year?

Those still pursuing their latest qualification or waiting for results may not have access to their current transcript. They will get it upon the completion of their respective courses after the annual exam results are declared by the board of conduct. Applicants planning to apply for higher studies while pursuing their last year of education would need some other proof of their academics. They should submit an interim/provisional transcript that can be applied from the institution of study with a detailed chart of scores or grades received so far.

For instance, if you are pursuing your final year of a bachelor's and you intend to join a master’s degree abroad, you should be able to provide the university with your second-year transcript (mark sheet) to establish your current status. Similarly, if you are pursuing your twelfth grade and you aspire to pursue a bachelor's abroad, you should have your tenth or, in some cases, eleventh-grade mark sheet handy for the application.

What documents are required to support a transcript for applying abroad?

The academic transcript covers the final scores of all your subjects. To show your backlog history, you need your institution to provide you with a backlog certificate. Some universities need this certificate as proof of whether or not you have had any backlogs. In some countries, backlogs have a huge impact on the chances of your admission. You may read about this in detail at - Do backlogs matter

The experience of studying abroad differs from studying in India and hence it is quite certain that the application process of studying abroad is also different than that of studying in India. It is always better to take external help from industry professionals to make an effective application that would help your dream come true.

Related reads:

• Which exam to give for which course to study abroad?
• 5 Best countries to study MS abroad
• 5 Best countries to study MBA abroad