What are Academic Transcripts and How to get it?

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.

Conditional vs Unconditional Offer Letter

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.