What are Academic Transcripts and How to get it?
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With different types of qualifications and different names of certificates is quite natural to get confused as to what a transcript is and how it differs from a degree or diploma. Let us understand in detail what is a transcript, significance of a transcript and why transcripts are an essential part of the application process for studying abroad through this article.
An academic transcript is an officially stamped document from the applicant's institution stating the grades/scores the applicant has scored in the subject-wise study. Let us understand everything in this article about academic transcripts, along with covering the following questions with their answers:
- What is Transcript?
- 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 of transcripts including the other common names of transcripts to avoid further confusion.
What is a Transcript?
Transcript meaning: A transcript is proof of education. The transcript 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. To understand the transcript definition, here is what Merriam Webster's transcript definition says:
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meaning of TRANSCRIPT is a written, printed, or typed copy; especially: a usually typed copy of dictated or recorded material.
Thus, an academic transcript is an official document that is printed on the university's stamped, branded paper for other institutions to note the applicant's overall performance thus far.
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What is a Transcript of Records (ToR)?
A Transcript of Record (ToR) is merely another name for a Transcript or Academic Transcript. No difference exists between these two or any of the names correspondingly mentioned.
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:
- Consolidated 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 marksheet 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. This is different from transcripts.
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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.
| Parameters | Degree | Diploma | Transcript of Records (ToR): |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The final certificate you receive upon completing your educational qualification is called a Degree based on the nature of the programme pursued. | This is also awarded to applicants upon completion of a skilled vocational or technical program. | The mark sheet that covers a student's academic records 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. |
| Level of Education | Higher education after class 12th. | After class 12th or after an associate or bachelor's degree. | After the completion of a degree, certificate or diploma program. |
| Study Scope | Broad academic field of study. | Narrowed or in a specialised field of study. | Summarises in detail the applicant's performance in the program of study/ |
Significance of Academic Transcripts for Studying 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 to Study Abroad?
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.
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What is an Academic Transcript Cover?
Transcript meaning: 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:
An academic transcript 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.
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When do students need a Transcript of Records? When to request one?
To attend a college or university abroad, the applicants must provide the admission committee with documents to support their previous academic qualifications. These documents include 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 academic transcripts for their undergraduate education.
- Those applying for an undergraduate degree abroad need academic 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.
List of Documents Required to Apply to Get Transcripts
While the documents listed for procuring academic transcripts can vary per institution, the following is a list of common documents that will be required to be attached to the transcript procurement application:
Having learned about what is an academic transcript and how to get a transcript certificate, let us take a look at other documents required in the application process:
- Photocopy of passing certificate of the exams for which applicants are seeking transcripts
- Photocopies of mark sheets of all semesters or consolidated mark sheets
- Also, photocopies of degrees will be required when requesting transcripts
- Application form along with application fee based on the number of transcript copies requested
Some institutions may require additional documentation apart from the above-mentioned ones along with the application form. Applicants can confirm the same from the institution itself.
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Sample Academic Transcript
Here is what an actual transcript looks like:
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 the first time, a transcript is issued by either an academic institution or board of its affiliation. In some cases, these are difficult to re-issue and hence should be kept carefully. For those who have lost their transcripts, directly contacting the board of education will help. Students need to connect with the authorities explain to them the loss of their transcript and ask for a duplicate transcript.
Some institutes do not provide transcripts in English but in their native language. In such cases, students need to get their transcripts developed in English. An important point to remember here is that you need to provide both, the original and the translated version, as proof while applying for admission. Both the original and translated copies would need to be signed and stamped by the educational institute and the official translator respectively.
Marksheets are usually available to students after each semester or annual exam at college, however, transcripts are a consolidated documented exam names along with the scores of the student. Though marksheets are though official yet for temporary and even for office use like for collecting your degrees. But transcripts are officially stamped and sealed in an envelope with the institution's stamp too.
If students are applying to foreign universities for admission, then in maximum cases transcripts would be needed. In case students apply in their final year of study or their final results are yet to be announced then they can submit their marksheets with a promise that they would send their transcripts as soon as they are available to the universities they are applying to. Thus, though both are accepted, but each of them have their own significance.
No, provisional cerificate is just a confirmation that the applicants have passed the degree course and are eligible to apply for further studies or jobs or whatever suits the situation. The provisional certificate is more similar to how a degree works and looks like, thus no marks are involved here just the division. Whereas, transcripts are more of a marks list based on each of the subject studied at the UG or PG levels. Hence, they are both different and solve different purposes as well.
No, marksheets are informal and they can be downloaded from the results portal of the university in question. For applying to universities abroad, applicants will have to submit a more formal document which is stamped and is recognised formally. Thus, marksheets cannot be submitted in place of a transcript for admissions abroad.
No, both transcripts and marksheets are different, and solve different purposes. A marksheet is a consolidated score sheet for a given semester or term or year. Whereas, a transcript is a compilation of all the subjects studied along with their grades and total scores at the end of a study program. While markheets are for a temporary use, transcripts on the other hand are for a long term and expansive use.
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.
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
Have additional queries about what is a transcript? Please write to us in the comments below. In case looking for counselling, sign up for free at Shiksha Abroad Counselling and request a callback from our expert team of counsellors.
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Transcripts are generated by the education board of conduct, which can be received from the academic institute where you have pursued your education. These may either be procured by visiting the institution physically or by contacting the authorities and requesting them to send them via post. The official transcript is always received in a sealed envelope stamped and signed by the issuing authority and the student can get multiple copies of the same.