What are Academic Transcripts? Meaning and How to get it

What is an academic transcript? An academic transcript is a stamped document that contains details of the academic performance of the candidate along with information about the subjects, marks obtained, and other information. Academic transcript is also known as academic records, records of achievement, diploma supplements, statements of learning, or transcripts of records.

This Story also Contains

1. Academic Transcripts Meaning
2. Types of Transcripts for College
3. What are other names of academic transcripts for students?
4. Why do we need an academic transcript?
5. How to Get an Academic Transcript?
6. List of Documents Required to Apply to Get Transcripts
7. What is a Transcript of Records (ToR)?
8. Why is a Transcript of Records Needed?
9. What does an Academic Transcript contain?
10. What is a Consolidated Marksheet?
11. Which Transcript is Needed for Which Course?
12. Guidelines for Academic Transcripts for Students

An academic transcript has to be stamped or signed by your previous institution and be on official letterhead paper. To attend a top college or university abroad, you will need to provide the admission committee with your academic transcripts as proof of your previous academic qualifications. One can get the academic transcripts 2024 from the institutions they have studied in. Request them once you start your application process for admission to foreign universities. Read the complete article to learn more about academic transcripts for students, meaning, samples, and more.

Academic Transcripts Meaning

An academic transcript certificate refers to the proof of your education and contains the list of subjects that you have studied and the marks you have obtained in them. It can referred to as university transcripts if the candidate has graduated from a certain university.

The university academic transcript meaning is the same as the academic-related transcripts and is used synonymously. Likewise, it includes the details of your course take, percentage or grades, and subject data for your particular degree, this is referred to as a degree transcript. The student's achievement in the degree level at university or college is the degree transcript meaning.

Also Read: How to send official transcripts to universities abroad?

Types of Transcripts for College

What are the different types of academic transcripts? There are two types of academic transcripts- official and unofficial.

• Official transcripts: The official transcript is certified by the institution and will have the stamp of the university and the signature of the registrar. Students can use these transcripts to apply for higher studies in top study-abroad countries.

• Unofficial transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are provisional certificates that you cannot use for admission. Students can access these official transcripts on the school's or college's website using their student account.

What are other names of academic transcripts for students?

These transcripts are known by different names and you should be familiar with the different terms to avoid confusion when you start the process of procuring them to include in your university applications. Here is the list of alternative terms used for academic transcripts:

• Academic certificates

• Academic record

• Cumulative record file (CRF)

• Mark sheet

• Mark list

• Permanent record

• Record of achievement

• Report card

• Transcript of records (TOR)

• University Transcripts

• Degree Transcripts

Also Read: Important Documents to Take For Studying Abroad?

Why do we need an academic transcript?

An academic transcript contains evidence of the educational credentials of the students. Most of the top study-abroad universities ask for a transcript to evaluate the educational eligibility of the students through their past academic records. It also helps students to demonstrate their eligibility for different types of programmes at top-tier world universities. Additionally, academic transcripts are also essential for the following reasons:

• An academic transcript is proof of the academic achievements of the students.

• Students can also demonstrate their research accomplishments through official academic transcripts.

• Most universities use academic transcripts to shortlist potential candidates among thousands of applicants.

Also Read: Top Study Abroad Programmes That Give Best ROI

How to Get an Academic Transcript?

Follow the below steps to apply for a transcript for masters, bachelor’s, and doctoral programmes abroad:

• Contact your institution: To apply for an academic transcript, students need to contact the institution from where they have completed their previous education. The standard process includes filling out a request form entering details of the course, passing year, personal information, and more.

• Complete the transcript request form: Students need to fill out the transcript requesting form with accurate information. Additionally, candidates are required to attach a few necessary documents such as an application form, receipt of payment, photo ID, etc to submit their application request form.

• Submit the transcript certificates: After receiving official transcripts submit it to the universities or colleges you wih to apply or higher studies.

List of Documents Required to Apply to Get Transcripts

What documents are required for transcript certificate? The list of documents can vary as per the university regulations and subject requirements. However, a list of the standard documents required to apply for an academic transcript is mentioned below:

• A completed application form

• Receipt of payment

• Copies of degree certificate and mark sheets

• Copies of a photo ID and acknowledgement receipt of the application

• Request letter of transcripts.

• Acknowledgment receipt of the application

What is a Transcript of Records (ToR)?

The transcript of records meaning is the same as the academic transcript that contains information about all the courses that you have attended, their duration, your grades in those courses, the credits you have gained, and the exams you have passed. A ToR which is the short name for a transcript of records is simply an alternative term used for academic transcripts.

Why is a Transcript of Records Needed?

A transcript of records is required to offer accurate information about the student's academic history. Transcripts also include facts about the grading scale, which varies for different countries. Transcripts are used by universities to convert students' academic results and process them for admission according to their criteria.

What does an Academic Transcript contain?

The academic transcript will contain details of your academic performance with information about the subjects, marks obtained, and other information. It will also include important information such as:

• Name of the student

• Name of the educational institutions and their addresses

• Name of the university or educational board

• Name of the courses you have completed

• Scores obtained in all the courses in the form of grades or marks

• Details of your academic and non-academic achievements

• Academic statement

• Remarks by your academic faculty

• Cumulative grade

• An average grade of your class

Also read:

• GRE

• GMAT

• IELTS

• TOEFL

What is a Consolidated Marksheet?

A consolidated marksheet is a record of all the grades achieved during the study. Usually, Consolidated marksheets are given at the end of every semester and the end of a course, along with a degree completion certificate. A consolidated marksheet is also an important document asked for by educational institutions as part of consideration for admission.

Degree/Diploma Certificate vs Transcripts

Degree/Diploma Certificate: It is the final certificate given as proof of educational qualification. Usually known as conferring a degree, this is given usually in graduation ceremonies.

Transcripts: This is the document that is given along with degree/diploma certificates, containing detailed information of all the subjects studied, grades obtained, and attestations. Many times transcripts also contain information on grading systems used along with various conversion factors.

Which Transcript is Needed for Which Course?

When applying to universities abroad, prospective students are asked to submit academic transcripts of the latest qualification.

Academic Transcripts for Different Courses

Note: However, many universities ask for academic transcripts of all the qualifications attained. For graduate prospects, students have to submit 12th/XII mark sheets along with bachelor's degree transcripts.

Guidelines for Academic Transcripts for Students

Here are a few important key points students should consider for study-abroad transcripts:

• Always keep a soft copy of your transcripts to upload them whenever required.

• Go through the requirements of the universities you are applying for as some of them may ask for hard copies.

• Sometimes the academic transcript online could be directly mailed to the universities from the institute where you studied.

• The academic transcript must be in English.

• The transcript must contain accurate information and not have mistakes.

• It should be an official document stamped or signed by your previous institution and be on official letterhead paper.