All posts by uniappz

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.

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:

• Consolidated marksheet
• 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.

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 programmed 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.

After you are done applying to the universities of your choice, the next step is to get an offer letter from those Universities. There are two types of offer letters that universities can send to both domestic and international students: conditional offer letters and unconditional offer letters. 

An offer letter or a letter of acceptance serves as evidence regarding the confirmation of your admission to a university. In simple terms, this letter means that you have been accepted for the program you applied to. Check out the article below for more details on Conditional vs Unconditional offer letters. 

What is a Conditional Offer Letter?

Although a conditional offer letter, also called a restrictive offer letter, has some conditions attached to it that the students need to meet they shouldn’t be disappointed in receiving the same. It would still mean that the university considers you fit for enrollment, but just needs you to meet certain criteria which are crucial for admission into that particular university.

A conditional offer letter is a success as the university authority found you a worthy candidate. Still, they offer you a conditional offer letter due to a lack of some qualifications. 

Common Conditions in Conditional Letter

The most common and usual conditions applied in a conditional offer letter are received which are described below:

• There may be issues with the academic documents submitted by the applicant. Either they are missing or the grades don’t match with the already submitted details on the application.
• The test score reports may not align with the application or scores that were not submitted may be required by the university. 
• Financial information may be missing hence, more details can be requested from the applicant.

The application’s conditional status varies on a case-by-case scenario, thus, applicants should ensure that they submit their applications with all possible details and not just submit them incomplete.

What is an Unconditional Offer Letter?

An unconditional offer letter is a green signal for applicants to go ahead with their student visa applications. This letter ensures that students have submitted all documents and that they can proceed with further steps. Once the applicant gets an unconditional offer letter, he/she cannot submit additional documents or test scores of standardized tests in case they have taken it again after submitting the application. 

Difference Between Conditional and Unconditional Offer Letters

Here we will discuss a few differences between the two.

• A conditional offer letter has specific conditions with it. It means you need to have certain grades or marks for the same, whereas an unconditional offer letter has no conditions with it, and reflects that your grades, whether high or low, have been accepted by the University.
• An unconditional offer letter is given to international students who have already met the entrance requirements to the university and have already been accepted as a student at the university. If you have submitted all the required documents and have paid the fees, the university would give you an unconditional offer letter. This type of letter is required for the purpose of acquiring a student loan from a bank.
• In the case of a conditional offer letter, it is offered when there are some pending documents left to be submitted. These could be a copy of their passport, last semester’s mark sheet, or scores of IELTS / TOEFL. Due to lack of time, some students may not be able to provide all documents and details to the admissions department. In these cases, the university will confirm its interest in the student based on the condition that all the formalities be completed within two to three months.
• Sometimes, conditional offer letters affect the visa procedure. If the conditional offer letter has requirements that have to be completed after entering the country, then the visa application can proceed normally. However, if there are requirements that have to be fulfilled before the student leaves India, then the visa procedure may get delayed.

Do you know that the best part about the UK education system is that it provides international students with the flexibility to combine courses and specializations across varied disciplines? Revered for offering the best education system in the world, pursuing higher studies in the UK opens the door to an array of opportunities. Planning to study in the UK? This blog brings you a detailed guide on studying in the UK, including cost, requirements, scholarships, top universities, and more!

Latest Study in UK Updates 2023

• 18 February 2023: UK launches new expert panel to suggest better UK visas for international students.
• 28 February 2023: India and the UK launched the Young Professional Scheme (YPS) on February 28th, 2023. A total of 3000 visas will be issued annually to candidates under this scheme.
• 20 March 2023: The University of East Anglia (UEA) announced multiple scholarships for international PG students in Literature, Management, Economics, and more enrolled for session 2023-24.
• 13 April 2023: The University of Hull announced an online postgraduate program in Global MBA for students. The application deadline for this program is 8 May 2023.
• 13 April 2023: Unite Housing in the UK witnessed a Strong Student Demand, with 90% of housing sold for the session 2023/24.
• 18 April 2023: The University of East Anglia announced new Scholarships for International Students up to 31 Lakh.
• 18 April 2023: 43,175 students of Indian nationality have enrolled in higher educational institutions in the UK as per the 2021 census data.
• 20 April 2023: The University of Birmingham is offering 5 sanctuary scholarships to students for undergraduate and postgraduate programs for up to Euro 5,000 per year.

Understanding the UK Grading System 2023

Before you start your academic journey in the UK, let’s look at the distinct evaluation system used by UK universities:

Grade	Percentage	Grade Definition	Honours Degree	Foundation Degree
A	70% – 100%	Excellent to Outstanding	First	Distinction
B	60% – 69%	Good to Very Good	Upper Second (2:1)	Merit
C	50% – 59%	Satisfying	Lower Second (2:2)	Pass
D	40% – 49%	Sufficient	Third 3	Pass
E	30% – 39%	Unsatisfactory	Fail	Fail
F	0 – 29%	Unsatisfactory	Fail	Fail

Top Universities in the UK 2023

Now that you are familiar with the basic details about pursuing higher education in the UK, let us take a quick look at some of the most popular universities in the UK.

Top Universities in the UK	QS World University Rankings 2023	THE World University Rankings 2023
University of Oxford	#4	#1
University of Cambridge	#2	#3
University College London	#8	#22
Imperial College London	#6	#10
The University of Edinburgh	#15	#29
The University of Manchester	#28	#54
King’s College London	#35	#35
London School of Economics and Political Science	#56	#37
University of Bristol	#61	#76
University of Warwick	#64	#104
Queen Mary University of London	#125	#124
University of Bath	#179	#251-300
University of East Anglia (UEA)	#342	#201-250
University of Essex	#439	#301-350

So many types of qualifications, so many names of certificates… It’s natural to be confused about what an academic degree is and how it differs from a degree or diploma. What is the purpose of each document and why are they necessary? Transcripts are officially sealed documents that come from the applicant’s university and indicate the grades/scores the applicant achieved while studying the subject.
In this article, let’s understand everything related to transcripts and answer the following questions with their answers:

Where to find or get a transcript?
When and why is a certificate required?
How do I use a transcript?
We will discuss all of these aspects, including the other common names of transcripts, to avoid further confusion. What is a Transcript?
A study certificate is proof of education. It contains a detailed list of all the subjects you have taken with your results in the form of grades or grades awarded by the study institution.

What is a Transcript of Records (ToR)?
A Transcript of Record (ToR) is simply another name for a transcript or academic transcript. There is no difference between these two or any of the names listed below.

Documents known as Transcripts / Common Names of Transcripts
Transcripts are commonly referred to as sheet music in India. Below is a list of documents known as transcripts or other transcript names:

Consolidated Mark Sheet
Grade List
Transcripts
Certificate
Diploma Supplement
Evidence of Learning
Evidence of Achievement
Academic Evidence
Cumulative Record File (CRF)
Permanent Record
Transcript of Records (ToR)
It is not necessary to have all of the above. These are just the other names on your academic records and you will need proof of the qualifications you have acquired to support your candidacy.

What is a consolidated certificate? Once a student completes their course, the university provides them with a consolidated grade sheet. This grade sheet is also essential when applying for university studies elsewhere. It contains all academic results/grades of all year or semester examinations received by a student.

Check: How to plan your studies abroad Application process

What is the difference between a degree, diploma and certificate?
Although all documents (certificate, degree, diploma, certificate and mark sheet) prove the completion of an educational qualification, a certificate is different from a diploma or degree. Diploma/Degree/Certificate:
The certificate of completion that you receive upon completion of your educational qualification is called a “degree”, “diploma” or “certificate” depending on the type of program you have completed.

Transcript of Records (ToR):
The mark sheet that covers all of a student’s academic achievements is called the transcript or ToR. This is a sheet containing the list of all courses/subjects studied, the grades obtained in each column, the student’s awards and achievements, and the degrees awarded to the student throughout the course of study. There are no limits to the information that can be provided in a transcript.

Which certificate is required for which course?
According to the general requirements, you need the certificates from the last studies in the course of study.

Anyone applying for postgraduate studies abroad needs academic proof of their bachelor’s degree. Anyone applying for a bachelor’s degree abroad needs academic proof of their secondary school education (12th grade) or their pre-university education (bachelor’s diploma).
However, in exceptional cases, universities may require proof of your last two or more qualifications.In any case, universities always specify what they require. Most graduate schools do not require your transcripts for master’s or MBA programs.

What to do with your academic performance when you are in your final year?
people who are still completing their degree or awaiting results may not have access to their current academic records. They will receive it upon completion of their respective courses after the Conduct Committee announces the results of the annual examination. Applicants wishing to apply for higher studies during their final year of study will require further evidence of their studies. You must submit preliminary/preliminary proof of study that can be used by the study institution with a detailed list of the grades you have achieved so far.

For example, if you are in the final year of your bachelor’s degree and intend to study for a master’s degree abroad, you should be able to provide the university with your second year transcript (grade sheet) to determine your current status. If you are a 12th grader and want to pursue a bachelor’s degree abroad, you will need to have your 10th or, in some cases, 11th grade mark sheet ready when applying.
What documents are required to apply to study abroad? The certificate includes the final grades for all of your subjects. To view your backlog history, you will need a backlog certificate from your institution. Some universities require this certificate as proof of whether or not there have been delays. In some countries, delays have a significant impact on approval chances.

Italy offers some of the most expensive courses, which can cost between 900 and 4000 euros for bachelor’s degrees. Postgraduate courses in Italy are more expensive compared to bachelor’s courses, they can cost between 3,000 and 40,000 euros. Therefore, the higher cost of studying in Italy is even more important for students who decide to study for free in Italy. , which houses the famous and oldest University of Bologna in Italy, has attracted more than 1000 students from all over the world to study there. In Italy there are some cheap universities and several scholarships that allow students to study in Italy for free. Studying in Italy can be expensive depending on the type of degree you are pursuing, the type of university (public or private), and the type of accommodation. Find out about the cost of studying in Italy and read the article for more lucrative options.
Italy Free Education for Indian Students
Free Education in Italy for Indian students is possible through two main options: applying for a scholarship and secondly, applying for early fee discounts by applying early to Italian universities. Although Italian universities are not completely free, there are two options that allow a full refund of tuition fees:

Merit Scholarships
Universities publish several calls for scholarships that allow a full refund of tuition fees. These calls are typically based on performance evaluation, i.e. H. on the average grade you have or on the number of credits you have earned compared to the total number of credits you could achieve at most if you keep up to date with the exams. Below are the main scholarships offered at Italian universities for international students:
Apply before the deadline.
Many Italian universities offer a subsidy of 5-10% to international students who apply to the university before the deadline. Those who are willing to pay part of their tuition fees once they receive offer letters from their respective Italian universities may be eligible for a 10% discount. Read more about How to apply to Italian universities?

Financial benefits
With an ISEE value of up to €24,500, first-year students and students who meet performance requirements are completely exempt from paying tuition fees at Italian universities. Above this limit, payment fees will be charged. This is typically more affordable for low-income students, but they must meet certain performance requirements. The ISEE is an indicator of the equivalent economic situation, a criterion used to assess the family’s economic situation.
free universities in Italy for international students
universities like the University of Bologna offer tuition waivers for international students. Therefore, the University of Bologna is one of the free Italian universities for international students. The University of Bologna offers a tuition fee waiver only for worthy international students enrolling in first-, second- or single-level courses. Those who do will be offered:

Study scholarships up to 11,000 euros gross and tuition waivers
Most students who apply for these courses can receive this amount, which would fully cover their study costs.

For more information, see Top 10 Universities in Italy

Cheap Universities in Italy for International Students
The following universities in Italy are considered affordable or cheap for international students based on their annual tuition fees:

In summary, the university It’s not free, but there are some perks that allow you to have your tuition waived or refunded if you’re in a difficult financial situation or are particularly well off.

Once you have completed your application to the universities of your choice, the next step is to receive an offer letter from these universities. There are two types of offer letters that universities can send to domestic and international students: conditional offer letters and unconditional offer letters.

An offer letter or acceptance letter serves as confirmation of your admission to a university. In simple terms, this letter means that you have been accepted into the program you applied for. For more information on conditional and unconditional offer letters, see the article below.
What is a conditional offer letter?
Although a conditional offer letter, also known as a restrictive offer letter, has some conditions attached that students must comply with, they should not be disappointed if they receive them.This would still mean that the university considers you eligible to enroll, but you just have to meet certain criteria that are crucial for admission to that particular university.

A conditional offer letter is a success as the university authorities have found you a worthy candidate. However, due to lack of qualifications, you will receive a conditional offer letter.

Difference Between Conditional and Unconditional Offer Letter
Here we will discuss some differences between the two.

A conditional offer letter contains certain conditions. This means that you must have certain qualifications or qualifications for this, whereas an unconditional offer letter contains no conditions and reflects that your qualifications, whether high or low, have been accepted by the university.
An unconditional offer letter is addressed to international students who have already met the university’s admission requirements and have already been accepted as students at the university. Once you have submitted all the required documents and paid the fees, you will receive an unconditional offer letter from the university. This type of letter is required to obtain a student loan from a bank.
In case of conditional offer letter, it is offered when some documents are still to be submitted. This can be a copy of your passport, last semester grade sheet or IELTS/TOEFL results. Due to time constraints, some students may not be able to provide all documents and details to the admissions department. In these cases, the university confirms its interest in the student on the condition that all procedures are completed within a period of two to three months. Sometimes conditional offer letters impact the visa process. If the conditional offer letter contains requirements that must be met after entering the country, the visa application can be carried out as usual. However, if requirements need to be met before the student leaves India, the visa process may be delayed.
Once all conditions are met, a conditional offer letter can be converted into an unconditional offer letter. It should also be noted that an unconditional offer letter is required if a student loan from a bank is required. In short, all necessary formalities must be completed before applying for the visa or leaving India. This is a good way to ensure that the student visa process goes smoothly.
In layman’s terms, processing an offer letter in the UK for an undergraduate or postgraduate program typically takes two weeks. In the case of a doctorate, the duration can be up to two months. There are also some universities that send the offer letter within two days.

Which is better: a conditional offer letter or an unconditional offer letter?
Applicants who receive a conditional offer letter can be assured that they will be admitted and can apply for a student visa. However, anyone who has received an unconditional offer letter must first clarify all questions related to the offer letter and then wait for the university to confirm their offer. Students who receive an unconditional offer may undertake other procedures such as housing searches and other areas that include support.