Applying for graduate studies often requires providing transcripts as evidence of your academic achievements. If you have studied outside the English-speaking world, your transcripts may not be in English. This guide will help you navigate the process of translating and submitting these crucial documents as part of your application.
For transcripts that are not originally in English, you must supply a certified translation. This translation should be signed and stamped by either your educational institution or an official translator. Presenting both the original document and its certified translation is mandatory. Failure to provide a certified translation will result in the rejection of the non-English transcript.
Your transcript should detail all university-level education, including courses taken and grades achieved, even if you believe some qualifications are not directly relevant to the course you are applying for. Official transcripts are those issued by the institution where you studied. They must clearly display your name, your institution's name, and a breakdown of your grades. If your transcript includes additional pages explaining the scoring system, these should be included in your submission.
Transcripts can be uploaded directly to the ‘Supporting Documents’ section of the online application form. Accepted formats include scanned official transcripts, official e-transcripts via secure electronic systems, electronic copies of interim or provisional transcripts, and screenshot images from self-service portals if a formal document is not available. Remember, screenshots, like all other documents, must clearly show your name, institution, and grade breakdown.
During the application process, you can upload up to five transcript documents. After submission, you can use the Graduate Applicant Self Service to add further documents. If your institution provides e-transcripts through systems like Digitary, register the email address [email protected] to share your transcript with Oxford University.
If you are currently studying and do not yet have a final transcript, provide an official interim or provisional transcript with your current grades. For courses starting in Michaelmas term, you are typically expected to provide a final transcript by the end of August.
In cases where your institution cannot issue a transcript, request written confirmation of this along with any available details of your academic record. This confirmation can be submitted in place of the actual transcript.
If you were awarded an unclassified degree, for instance due to the pandemic, Oxford assessors will review any graded modules available, other application elements, and references. You should also declare any extenuating circumstances that may have affected your performance.
When applying for graduate studies, especially in an institution as prestigious as Oxford, ensuring that your non-English transcripts are accurately and officially translated is crucial. This process is an essential step in demonstrating your academic background and suitability for the program of your choice.