Whether you are applying to an academic program or a job, an academic transcript is an essential document that provides a verified record of your academic history at the institution where you previously studied. It contains your academic information, grade point average (GPA), personal details, transfer credits, and information about your degree. This document helps your destination university or your potential employer verify your academic qualifications and also understand your acumen and knowledge base.
Read on to learn more about what a university transcript is, its importance, and how you can get a copy of your transcript.
What Is an Academic Transcript?
An academic transcript is an official document issued by your college or university. It serves as a complete record of your academic performance.
Depending on your institution, an academic transcript may be provided upon completion of your program or upon request. This document plays a vital role for pursuing academic opportunities, such as bachelor’s degrees or master’s degrees, and for supporting professional and career advancement.
Academic Transcript Examples
Here is an example of what your academic transcript might look like.
The Importance of a Certified Academic Transcript
A certified academic transcript is an official, verifiable summary of your academic history. It includes courses, grades, and degree information, and it is required for a variety of purposes such as:
Admission to higher education programs
Immigration or visa applications
Job applications
Professional certifications
For example, if you are applying to study in the United States, you will need to submit certified academic transcripts that have been evaluated by a credential evaluation agency. These evaluated transcripts are often required during the admission process, for scholarship applications, and when applying for a student visa. Universities and visa officers will use this information to confirm your eligibility for the program you have applied to.
What Does an Academic Transcript Include?
An academic transcript contains several key pieces of information that enable the university, visa officer, or employer to assess your academic performance and determine your eligibility for admission or employment. The document can contain the following:
Personal information: Your full name, student identification number, and (sometimes) your date of birth.
Institution details: Institution name, logo, and contact information of the issuing college or university.
Courses taken: A list of the subjects or classes you completed.
Grades/marks: The results you earned for each course, shown as letter grades, percentages, or GPA.
Credits earned: The number of credit hours assigned to each course.
Degree information: Confirmation of any degrees, diplomas, or certificates awarded, if applicable.
Cumulative GPA/average: A summary of your overall academic performance.
Dates: The period of enrollment and graduation date, if completed.
While each educational institution can have different formats, you can expect your academic transcript to contain most of the information mentioned above.
Now that we know more about the academic transcript, meaning what it contains, the importance of having one, and the specific information included, let us find out how we can get a transcript certificate.
How to Get a Transcript Certificate
The process of getting a transcript certificate varies depending on the institution, but generally involves the following steps:
Contact your institution: Reach out to the registrar or student records office to ask how to request your transcript.
Complete the request form: Provide the required information to officially start the process to obtain a copy of your academic record.
Provide identification: Submit a valid form of identification, such as a student ID card or government-issued ID.
Make payments: Pay any required processing fees and keep your payment receipt.
Submit your application: Deliver the completed form, supporting documents, and proof of payment.
Await processing and delivery: The institution will prepare and send the official transcript to you or the designated recipient.
While contacting your university, check if there is an online portal for submitting transcript requests and whether any fees apply. Keep in mind that processing times can also vary based on the institution, so plan ahead to avoid any possible delays.
If you intend to use your academic transcript for admission to an international university, it may need to be officially stamped or verified by your institution or an authorized body. This ensures the transcript is recognized as official for evaluation purposes.
Some US universities may also require you to evaluate your academic records to determine their US equivalents (usually from a credential perspective). This evaluation is typically done through certified evaluation agencies that are a part of either the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
Having looked at the process of obtaining an academic transcript, let us look at all the documents required to make sure the process is as smooth as possible.
Documents Required for an Academic Transcript
To obtain an academic transcript, you will typically need the following documents:
A completed academic transcript request form
Your student ID
A photograph of yourself
Proof of payment
Additional documents may include:
A request letter
Copies of your mark sheets
Obtaining your academic transcript is an essential part of the university application process and is also required when applying for a student visa. Beyond admissions, transcripts may also be requested when applying for jobs and internships, making it an important document throughout both your academic and professional journeys.
If you require assistance during the admissions process, with visa applications or finding the right fit university that aligns with your personal and academic goals, Shorelight advisors are here to help. Our team can guide you through the required documentation, including academic transcripts, and assist with credential evaluations for US universities.
Connect with a Shorelight advisor today to begin your application journey with confidence >
