Academic transcripts are official records of your grades and credits from every school or university you have attended. They are a mandatory document for almost every study abroad application — here is exactly what you need to submit.
What Is a Transcript?
A transcript is an official document from a school, college, or university that lists every subject you studied, the marks or grades you received, and the credits or units awarded. It is not the same as a certificate or exam result — it is a complete record of your time at that institution.
Transcripts are used by universities and colleges abroad to verify your academic background and confirm you meet their entry requirements. Without them, your application cannot move forward.
Check Your Application Requirements
Every program has specific document rules. Log in to ApplyBoard to see the exact academic records needed for your program.
An official transcript carries the institution's seal and the signature of the registrar (the official who manages academic records). It is sent directly from your institution to the receiving institution, usually in a sealed envelope or through a secure digital system. This is the version required for applications.
An unofficial transcript contains the same information but has no seal or signature. It is useful for checking your grades or GPA before applying, but it will not be accepted for admission purposes.
Warning! A certificate, diploma, or exam result is not the same as a transcript. For example, a WAEC result (Nigeria), an SSCE certificate, an HSC marksheet (India/Bangladesh), or a matric certificate (South Africa) confirms you passed an exam — but it does not replace a school transcript. Both documents may be required.
Which Transcripts Do You Need?
The transcripts required for your application depend on the level of study you are applying for. As a general rule, you need a transcript from every institution you have attended that is relevant to your application.
Tip! Even if an institution only asks for your most recent transcript, it is a good idea to gather all of your academic records before you apply. Many institutions review your full academic profile — having everything ready avoids delays.
The exact requirements for each program are listed on the Application Requirements tab in your ApplyBoard application.
What Is a Secondary School Transcript — and How Is It Different from My Certificate?
This is one of the most common points of confusion for students applying from Nigeria, Ghana, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other countries where national exams are the standard leaving credential.
Your secondary school transcript is the official record issued by your secondary school (not the exam board) that lists all subjects you studied across your years there, your continuous assessment scores, and your final results. It is separate from — and in addition to — any national exam certificate.
Your WAEC result (West African Examinations Council) or NECO result (National Examinations Council) confirms the grades you received in your national examinations. It is an exam certificate — not a school transcript.
Your secondary school transcript is a separate document issued by your secondary school itself. It typically covers all six years of secondary education (JSS1–SS3) and includes continuous assessment scores and internal exam results. You must request this directly from your school's administration office.
Many institutions abroad require both your WAEC/NECO result and your secondary school transcript. Uploading your WAEC result alone is not sufficient if a school transcript has also been requested.
Note: Some Nigerian secondary schools issue a document called a "school leaving certificate" or "statement of result." This is also not a transcript. A transcript lists your individual subject marks and assessment scores year by year — ask your school specifically for a transcript of academic records.
In India, students typically receive marksheets from their board (CBSE, ICSE, state boards) for Class 10 and Class 12. A marksheet lists your individual subject scores for a specific exam — it is the closest Indian equivalent to a secondary school transcript for those years.
If you are applying to an undergraduate program, you will usually need your Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets. For postgraduate applications, you will need marksheets or a consolidated transcript from your undergraduate institution.
DigiLocker-Verified Documents: Some institutions and credential assessment bodies may accept DigiLocker-issued board marksheets via secure QR verification. However, many North American institutions still require direct transcripts sent by your board or university. Always verify whether DigiLocker is accepted for your target program.
Students from Pakistan (BISE boards), Bangladesh (SSC/HSC boards), Sri Lanka (O/L and A/L), and Nepal (SEE/NEB) typically receive board result certificates rather than school-issued transcripts. In many cases, your board result certificate or marksheet is accepted in place of a school transcript for applications from these countries.
However, some institutions will also ask for a school-issued academic record. Check the specific requirements listed on your application in ApplyBoard, and speak to ApplyBoard Support if you are unsure what to submit.
How to Get Your Official Transcripts
Official transcripts must be requested directly from your institution — you cannot create or certify them yourself. Here is how to request them:
- Contact the registrar's office at your school, college, or university. This is the department responsible for academic records.
- Ask specifically for an official transcript, not a certificate or school leaving letter. Explain that it is for an international university application.
- Complete any required request forms and provide valid identification. Some institutions charge a small fee.
- Confirm the format required — your target institution may need the transcript sent directly (sealed envelope or digital), or you may be able to upload a scanned copy through ApplyBoard.
- Request multiple copies if you are applying to more than one institution.
Note: Allow extra time when requesting transcripts from secondary schools — particularly older schools or those in rural areas — as they may take several weeks to produce the document. Start this process early.
Do Transcripts Need to Be Translated?
Yes — if your transcript is not in English, a translation is required. Most institutions accept a certified translation (produced by a professional translation service) or a notarized translation (certified by a notary public). The requirement varies by institution, so check before commissioning a translation.
Your original transcript must be submitted alongside the translation — a translation alone is not sufficient.
What If You Cannot Get Your Official Transcripts?
There are a few common situations where getting official transcripts is difficult. Here is what to do in each case:
If you are in your final year of secondary school, some institutions will issue a conditional offer based on your most recent available transcript. Your final official transcript will typically be required before you can enroll. The specific requirements are shown in your ApplyBoard application.
If your school has closed, records may have been transferred to a regional education authority, a government archive, or a central records body. Contact your country's Ministry of Education or the relevant exam board for guidance. If records truly cannot be obtained, speak to ApplyBoard — some institutions have alternative pathways for applicants in this situation.
Submit the original transcript in your local language alongside a certified or notarized English translation. Do not submit the translation alone — the original document must accompany it. Your target institution may have specific requirements for the translation provider, so check before arranging the translation.
How to Submit Transcripts on ApplyBoard
You upload your transcript documents directly to your application in the ApplyBoard platform. The Application Requirements tab will show you exactly which transcripts are required for each program you are applying to, and their current status.
Tip! Read the requirements for each institution carefully before uploading. Some institutions want transcripts sent directly from your school; others accept scanned uploads. Uploading the wrong document type can cause delays to your application.
Not sure what to submit?
Your ApplyBoard counsellor can review your documents and confirm exactly what each institution needs before you upload anything.