If you want to apply for an online master’s programme with the University of Liverpool, then we will ask you to provide copies of your certificates to evidence your academic achievements. If your certificate does not document your final overall grade or classification, you will be required to provide a copy of your transcript to support your application.
When you complete your degree studies at any higher education institution, you will receive formal award documentation to confirm your achievement. There are two types of award documentation issued to students, academic certificates and academic transcripts.
What is an academic certificate?
Your academic certificate is probably the award that comes to mind first (and probably the document you know where to find). The certificate will usually have the university crest and confirm the title, classification or grade point average (GPA) and date that the award was granted. These certificates are usually given out at a graduation ceremony on successful completion of your studies.
What is an academic transcript?
An academic transcript is a document that records the modules you took, their credit value and the grades you achieved over the duration of your studies. It will be stamped or signed by the registry office of your awarding institution and be on official letter-headed paper. If you are outside the UK, this may be known as an academic record, statement of learning, mark sheet, record of achievement, diploma supplement, or similar.
Why are academic certificates and transcripts important?
If you want to apply for an online master’s programme with the University of Liverpool, then we will ask you to provide copies of your certificates to evidence your academic achievements. If your certificate does not document your final overall grade or classification, you will be required to provide a copy of your transcript to support your application. We do this by asking you to upload copies to our online application form.
Where can I get a copy of my academic transcript?
An academic transcript is typically issued by the registry office or department of the institution you studied with. You will usually be able to find contact details on the website of the institution, or instructions of how to do this through any online system they have in place.
If, for whatever reason, the institution is unable to provide you with a full academic transcript, they should be able to provide a letter confirming the details of the award that you have achieved.
Similarly, if you need a replacement academic certificate, the registry office or department should also be able to issue another copy of this award document to you.
Are certificates and transcripts accepted in any language?
If your academic certificate, academic transcript or other documents are not in English then you must provide an officially certified translation to apply for one of our online master’s programmes.
Your certified translation must be provided by either:
- the awarding institution
- a sworn translator (sworn before a court in a non-UK jurisdiction)
- a Member or Fellow of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), who may self-certify the translation.
If the translation is not provided by the awarding institution, then it must include:
- the translator or translation company’s contact details
- confirmation from the translator or translation company that the translation is accurate from the original document
- the name and signature of the translator or of an authorised official if using a translation company
- the date of the translation
If you need any further advice or guidance about obtaining copies of your academic transcripts before submitting your application, or about how to translate documents that are not in English, please contact our admissions team.
If you have everything to hand and are ready to submit your application, you can find our online application form here.
