A transcript is a document that lists and certifies the grades for every course a student took during an academic year or term. In the United States, a transcript goes by other names too: cumulative record file, permanent record, or record document. A transcript documents the grades a student earned in the courses they took. It is only one of the documents a student needs to enroll at another school. In short, we can say a transcript is a breakdown of your grades. The institution where you currently study, or from which you graduated, issues this document.
A transcript is proof of the education you received. It holds a detailed record of every course you took, with your scores, as grades issued by your institution. Other names for transcripts are as follows:
- Mark Sheet
- Mark List
- Academic Certificates
- Report Card
- Diploma Supplement
- Statement of Learning
- Record of Achievement
- Academic Record
- Cumulative Record File (CRF)
- Permanent Record
You do not have to hold all of the documents above. These are simply other names for your academic transcripts. To prove the education you received, you need certain documents that certify the qualifications you completed.
Academic Transcript
An academic transcript from a university goes by other names as well. These include academic record, diploma supplement, statement of learning, record of achievement, and similar titles. Academic transcripts should list every module or subject you studied each year. They should also show your grade for each module, plus its credit value and level. The registry office of your previous institution should stamp or sign it, and it should be on official letterhead. If you do not have your academic transcript, you will need to contact your previous institution to request it.
A transcript from an institution you graduated from, or will graduate from, lists every completed unit, the grades earned, and confirmation of any exemptions.
You may prepare to study abroad as an exchange student for one or two terms, or to complete a full Bachelor's or Master's degree. Either way, you need to go through an extensive "paperwork" process. The transcript of records is one of the important documents you need to have. Make sure the information on it is filled in properly. Academic transcripts are closely linked to the learning agreement plan. That is an official document listing the courses you must take or have taken during your studies, along with research and teaching or training activities.
What Is a Transcript Needed For?
To attend a university abroad, applicants must provide the admissions committee with a set of documents that support their previous academic qualifications. These documents are called academic transcripts or transcripts of records. As proof that you completed your school, undergraduate, or postgraduate studies, these documents are mandatory. They show you are eligible for the program you want to enroll in. Students must submit their transcripts when applying to a university abroad to join their chosen course. Students should keep electronic copies of their documents to complete an application.
Some universities abroad ask students to send printed copies of their transcripts through couriers such as DHL services. We recommend reading the university requirements carefully before you send your documents.
If your university does not use the ECTS system, the transcript should include an explanation of the credit and grading systems used. If you are submitting the document online, you can explain the grading scale your institution used while you studied there. The explanation should make clear which grades are the highest and which are the lowest. Otherwise, problems may come up in your application. Depending on the rules each university sets, you may fill in your academic records yourself, or the host university's International Office may do it.
When Should You Request Your Transcript?
Students who are still in their final year, or who are waiting for results, may not be able to access their current transcripts. They will receive this document after the board announces the annual exam results and they complete the relevant courses. This is normally one of the last documents you will fill in or request. Applicants who plan to apply for higher education while still in their final year will need other proof of their studies. They should submit an interim or provisional transcript from their institution, with a detailed table of the scores or grades earned so far.
Once your transcript is complete, all you need to do is hand it to the International Office with the other required application documents. After you receive your transcript, double-check that all the required fields are filled in, especially the following:
- The date
- The administrative officer's signature
- The institution's stamp
A transcript is a summary of a student's academic performance and progress to date. It lists the courses taken in each academic year and the grades earned in each course. This official document will be printed on university transcript paper branded with the university crest. A transcript includes the following information:
- Start date at the university
- Department
- A list of the modules a student has taken so far, with the credits studied and awarded, and the grades earned
- A list of the modules (courses) a student is currently taking
- The institution where the study program is or will be delivered
- Research thesis title (if any)
- The qualification earned for the study program and the final result (if any)
