The Transcript of Records It is one of the most important documents for international college applications, transfers between universities, and credit recognition processes. It typically lists the courses or modules completed, exam results, grades, and, where applicable, credit points or ECTS credits. If the document is submitted to a German university, uni-assist, a credit evaluation office, or another institution, a German or English translation may also be required.
Quick Answer: Whether a transcript of records needs to be translated depends on the specific procedure. At uni-assist, foreign-language course and grade transcripts must generally also be available in German or English, unless they have already been officially issued in one of these languages and no different country-specific guidelines apply. At the ZAB, however, the translation requirement is determined by the individual preliminary review. German translations may also be required for professional recognition procedures.
What is a transcript of records?
A transcript of records is an official summary of courses and grades issued by a school or college.
The document typically shows:
- which courses or modules were completed,
- which exams were taken,
- what grades were earned,
- if applicable, how many credit points or ECTS credits were earned,
- which institution issued the document and
- the degree program or degree to which the academic achievements pertain.
Depending on the country and institution, the same document may be referred to by a different name.
Typical examples include:
- Transcript of Records
- Academic Transcript
- Transcript
- Statement of Grades
- Transcript
- Gradesheet
- Grade Report
- Transcript of Grades
- Subject and Grade Overview
What is a transcript of records used for?
The transcript of records may be required for a wide variety of educational and accreditation procedures.
Typical uses include:
- Applications for bachelor's or master's programs in Germany,
- Applications through uni-assist,
- VPD applications submitted to uni-assist,
- Changing universities,
- Recognition of academic credits already earned,
- Erasmus and other exchange programs,
- ZAB Report Card Grades,
- professional recognition procedures,
- Job applications to employers and
- other international educational or administrative procedures.
The receiving agency determines which version of the document and which translation is required.
Does a transcript of records need to be translated?
Not automatically.
Whether a translation is required depends, in particular, on the following:
- the language in which the transcript was issued,
- which languages the receiving office accepts,
- whether it involves a college application, a ZAB evaluation, or professional recognition,
- whether the document has already been officially issued in two languages and
- whether there are any specific country- or procedure-related guidelines.
For this reason, you should check—ideally before the translation is done—what requirements the university, uni-assist, the recognition office, or other institutions have published.
Have a transcript of records translated for uni-assist
For applications submitted through uni-assist, there are clear general rules regarding course and grade transcripts.
A transcript of records must always:
- in the original language and
- plus a German or English translation
must be uploaded, unless it has already been officially issued by the issuing institution in German or English.
The translation does not replace the transcript in the original language.
Is a translation submitted to uni-assist sufficient?
No.
At uni-assist, educational documents must generally be submitted in their original language.
For a transcript in a foreign language, this usually means:
- Upload the transcript of records in the original language.
- In addition, upload the accepted German or English translation.
The same principle generally applies to other educational credentials as well.
Does an English "Transcript of Records" need to be translated into German?
Not automatically.
If the university has officially issued the transcript in English, uni-assist generally does not require an additional German translation, in accordance with its general standards.
However, specific country-specific guidelines or requirements set by the respective university may apply.
Therefore, even when applying for a position with an English-language document, you should check beforehand to see if there are any additional requirements.
Who is authorized to translate a transcript for uni-assist?
In accordance with its general translation standards, uni-assist accepts translations, in particular of:
- Individuals or institutions authorized to provide certified or court-approved translations, or
- an authorized department at the issuing school or college.
A simple translation provided by a translation agency without the appropriate authorization will not be accepted under the general uni-assist rules.
In addition, you should always check the country-specific guidelines for the country of origin.
What must an official transcript of records include?
uni-assist describes the transcript of courses and grades as an official document that lists all courses completed, including course titles and grades, as well as information about the issuing institution and the intended degree.
For example, an official document can be identified by:
- Signature and stamp of the issuing institution,
- an indication that it was generated automatically, or
- a verification code.
Which format is accepted in a specific case may also depend on the university, the applicant's country of origin, and the application process.
Does the entire course of study have to be listed on the transcript?
A complete list of relevant academic achievements is often required for application and accreditation processes.
This means that you should not submit only selected modules if the receiving institution requires a complete list of courses and grades.
Certificates must be uploaded in their entirety to uni-assist. No relevant parts or pages of the certificates may be missing.
Depending on the country of origin, additional requirements may also apply.
Does the back of the Transcript of Records need to be translated?
If there is relevant information on the back, be sure to include it with your translation request.
For example, it might say:
- Grading Scale,
- Explanations of the grading system,
- Stamp,
- Signatures,
- Certification notes,
- Verification instructions or
- Further explanations.
uni-assist also generally requires both the front and back sides of educational documents that are printed on both sides.
What is included in a transcript translation?
In a complete translation, the content relevant to the document is conveyed clearly in the target language.
In particular, these may include:
- Name of the university,
- Name of the student,
- Degree program,
- Faculty,
- Semester,
- Module and course titles,
- Grades,
- Credit points or ECTS,
- Exam status,
- Overall grade or average, if provided,
- Grading Scale,
- Stamp texts,
- Signature notes and
- Additional relevant notes.
Are foreign currency amounts converted during translation?
As a general rule, a distinction should be made between Translation and Rating be distinguished.
A translation conveys the information contained in the transcript into the target language.
It does not independently determine which German grade corresponds to a foreign grade, for example.
Conversion or evaluation is carried out by the relevant university, uni-assist, the recognition office, or another institution in accordance with their respective rules.
What happens to module names during translation?
Module and course names should be translated in such a way that their meaning remains as clear and understandable as possible.
It is particularly important not to claim any technical equivalence that is not included in the source document.
Therefore, the translation of a module name does not automatically mean that this module corresponds to a specific German college module.
The relevant universities or examining bodies decide on professional recognition.
Transcript of Records and ECTS—Are Credits Converted?
If the source document contains ECTS or other credit information, this information will be reproduced accordingly in the translation.
Conversely, the independent conversion of foreign credits into ECTS is a matter of academic judgment and is not automatically part of a translation.
The decision on whether and to what extent foreign credits will be recognized is made by the respective university or the office responsible for credit recognition.
Transcript of Records or Diploma Supplement—what's the difference?
Both documents can be issued along with a college degree, but they serve different purposes.
Transcript of Records
The Transcript of Records primarily documents an individual's academic achievements.
These typically include:
- Courses or modules,
- Grades,
- Credit Points and
- More information about academic progress.
Diploma Supplement
The Diploma Supplement provides standardized information to supplement a higher education degree, enabling the qualification to be better classified both nationally and internationally.
For example, it contains information about:
- Type and level of the degree,
- issuing institution,
- Study program,
- Contents and results,
- Qualification Status and
- the respective higher education system.
The Diploma Supplement does not replace the actual diploma, nor does it automatically replace the Transcript of Records.
Does a Diploma Supplement need to be translated as well?
That depends on the specific procedure and the language of the document.
Many diploma supplements are already issued in English.
If the receiving university or government agency accepts an English version, an additional German translation may not be necessary.
However, in other procedures, a translation of the Diploma Supplement may also be required.
Before undertaking a comprehensive translation, you should therefore check whether the entire Diploma Supplement is required.
Transcript of Records for a Master's Degree in Germany
When applying for a master's program, the transcript of records is often one of the most important application documents.
The university can use this to, for example:
- which courses were completed during the bachelor's program,
- what grades were earned,
- how many credits were earned,
- whether certain minimum professional standards have been met and
- whether the current degree program is academically aligned with the desired master's program.
The specific requirements are determined by the respective university or the specific master's program.
Transcript of Records When Changing Colleges or Universities
The list of courses and grades is also particularly important when transferring to another college.
The new institution of higher education can use the transcript of records and, if necessary, additional module descriptions to determine which courses the student has already completed can be recognized or credited.
In addition to the transcript, the following may be required for this subject-specific exam:
- Module descriptions,
- Curricula,
- Examination Regulations,
- Information on course content and
- Information about the scope of work or credits.
Before translating extensive module handbooks, the university should be asked specifically which documents are actually needed.
Who recognizes academic credits earned abroad?
The recognition or credit for academic work already completed is a decision made by the academic department.
This decision is generally made by the relevant university. For certain degree programs, state examination boards may be involved.
A certified translation of the transcript of records facilitates the review process, but does not replace the actual decision on recognition.
Have a transcript of records translated for the ZAB
The Central Office for Foreign Education has its own document requirements for the evaluation of academic transcripts.
Whether a transcript of records and a translation of it must be submitted is determined by the respective ZAB preliminary check or the online application.
The ZAB expressly notes that the evaluation is based on documents in their original language or in the official language.
An additional translation is therefore never a substitute for the document in its original language.
Do I need a certified translation of my transcript for the ZAB?
Not automatically.
Whether an additional translation is required and what form it must take is determined by the specific list of documents in the ZAB procedure.
According to the general ZAB guidelines, a notarization or apostille is not automatically required either. In many cases, a simple scan is sufficient for the time being.
A personal preliminary check remains essential.
Transcript of Records for Professional Recognition
When recognizing foreign professional qualifications, documents may be required to verify the content and duration of the training or academic program.
The official portal „Recognition in Germany“ explicitly lists the following, among other things:
- Subject listings,
- Grade Lists,
- Textbooks,
- Diploma Supplements and
- Transcript of Records.
A German translation may be required for such documents.
However, the specific requirements for a given profession are determined by the relevant recognition authority.
Who is authorized to translate a transcript for the purpose of professional recognition?
The federal portal „Recognition in Germany“ notes that translations for recognition procedures must often be prepared by publicly appointed or authorized translators.
Before placing an order, you should check with the appropriate authority to see whether a translation from the country of origin or another form of documentation will be accepted.
Have the transcript translated into Arabic, Persian, or Cyrillic
For documents written in non-Latin scripts, it is especially important to use consistent spelling for names.
This applies, for example, to transcripts in:
- Arabic script,
- Persian script,
- Cyrillic script,
- Greek script,
- Chinese characters or
- other writing systems.
If the name is already written in Latin script in a passport or residence permit, please provide this spelling when requesting a translation, if possible.
What is important to keep in mind when dealing with a multi-page transcript?
Transcripts may be several pages long.
Therefore, when submitting a translation request, all pages should be provided in their entirety.
This applies in particular to:
- Cover pages,
- Grade Explanations,
- Legends,
- Credit systems,
- Stamp or certification pages and
- labeled backs.
Omitting individual pages may result in important information about the grading system being missing.
Can I have only certain semesters translated?
Technically, a specific scope of documents can be agreed upon. However, the decisive factor is whether the receiving institution requires a complete academic transcript.
If uni-assist, a university, or an accreditation agency wants to see all academic records, a translation of only selected semesters will not be sufficient.
That is why you should first check the list of required documents.
Transcripts of Records for Erasmus and Study Abroad Semesters
The transcript of records also plays an important role when studying abroad.
It documents the academic work actually completed and can serve as the basis for future academic recognition.
In the context of Erasmus+, the transcript serves primarily as proof of the courses completed, credits earned, and grades received.
Whether an additional translation is necessary depends on the participating universities and the language of the document.
Certified Translation of the Transcript of Records
If a university, government agency, or accreditation body requires a certified translation, StartDE can arrange for a professional translation or—depending on the requirements—a notarized translation.
In doing so, all relevant parts of the documents should be submitted in full, if possible.
Typical supporting documents include:
- Bachelor's degree certificate,
- Master's degree certificate,
- Diploma,
- Diploma Supplement,
- Certificate of Enrollment,
- Module Overview and
- Additional academic transcripts.
You can submit your request through our website Interpreting & Translation Services at StartDE transmit.
Express Translation of a Transcript of Records
A translation on short notice may be required for master's program applications, uni-assist deadlines, or credit evaluation procedures.
Depending on the specific order, StartDE may consider expedited processing.
Depending on the document, language pair, length, and availability, a The certified translation will be completed the same day.
For the audit, the following information should be provided as directly as possible:
- Complete scans of all pages,
- Source language,
- Desired target language,
- Purpose,
- any requirements of the university or the accreditation body, and
- Desired completion date.
Get a translation of the transcript as a PDF
Once the translation is complete, a PDF version or a scan of the finished translation can be provided initially.
This can be particularly useful for online college applications, uni-assist, or online credit evaluation processes.
The receiving agency determines whether a digital copy is sufficient for the entire process or whether a physical copy is required.
Physical copy via DHL
Upon request, a hard copy can also be sent via DHL be shipped.
For urgent orders, express delivery may also be an option, depending on the appropriate DHL service.
The actual delivery time depends on the shipping service and the destination address.
What documents does StartDE need for the translation?
- Complete and clearly legible scans of all pages
- Front and back covers with relevant information
- Source language
- Desired target language
- Purpose
- if applicable, requirements from uni-assist, the university, the Admissions Office (ZAB), or the recognition office
- Desired completion date
- For non-Latin scripts, use the name as it appears on the passport, if applicable
Checklist Before Translating a Transcript
- Which institution requires the transcript?
- Is German or English required?
- Is the existing English original already accepted?
- Is a sworn or certified translation required?
- Is the complete list of studies required?
- Are all semesters included?
- Are the staff and key included?
- Are the front and back sides complete?
- Do I also need to submit the Diploma Supplement?
- Are module descriptions required?
- In addition to the translation, do I also need to submit the original language version?
Conclusion: Check the requirements first, then have your transcript of records translated
The transcript of records is one of the most important documents in international academic and accreditation processes because it provides a detailed account of the coursework completed and the grades or credits earned.
Whether a translation is required, however, depends on the specific procedure.
At uni-assist, a German or English translation is generally required for course and grade transcripts in foreign languages. At the ZAB, however, the specific document list determined during the preliminary review applies. In professional qualification recognition procedures, the responsible authority determines which translation is required.
It is also particularly important to distinguish between translation and academic evaluation: A translation reproduces grades, credits, and module titles, but does not determine their equivalence or recognition in Germany.
Do you need a professional or certified translation of your transcript of records? Please submit the complete document to StartDE along with the source language, target language, and intended use via our website Professional and Certified Translations at StartDE.
Official Information
Frequently Asked Questions About Translating the Transcript of Records
What is a transcript of records?
A transcript of records is an official summary of courses and grades that lists the courses or modules a student has completed, along with their grades and other details about their academic program. uni-assist.de
Does a transcript of records need to be translated for uni-assist?
If a document was not officially issued in German or English, uni-assist generally requires a German or English translation in addition to the original language. Specific country-specific guidelines may apply. uni-assist.de
Is a translation alone sufficient for uni-assist?
No. The transcript must always be submitted in the original language. The translation does not replace the original document. uni-assist.de
Does an English transcript need to be translated into German?
Not automatically. If the document was officially issued in English by the issuing institution, uni-assist does not require an additional German translation under its general policy. Country-specific guidelines may contain exceptions. uni-assist.de
Is a Transcript of Records the same as a Diploma Supplement?
No. The transcript primarily documents individual courses, academic performance, grades, and, where applicable, credits. The Diploma Supplement additionally describes the qualification, the degree program, the institution, and the educational system, and supplements the degree documents. education.ec.europa.eu
Do I need a certified translation of my transcript for the ZAB?
Not automatically. The ZAB Preliminary Check determines whether a translation is needed. The documents in their original language always serve as the basis for the evaluation. zab.kmk.org
Is a transcript required for professional recognition?
It may be required because it documents the content and duration of a training program or course of study. The federal portal explicitly lists the “Transcript of Records” as a possible form of proof. Recognition Portal
Can StartDE provide an express translation of a transcript of records?
Depending on the document, language pair, length, and availability, a certified translation can be completed on the same day.
