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Academic Transcripts - Access to your online documents can take up to 5 workings days from request, you will receive email confirmation once these are ready.

NOTICE: From September 2024 Digitary CORE will operate under its new name Parchment.  This will be smooth transition and should not affect existing Digitary CORE account holders.

The University of Cambridge issues  official  University transcripts digitally online through Digitary CORE/Parchment. Please see the instructions below:

Current Students

Please log into  CamSIS Self-Service  and click on the Academic Tile and choose the Request a Transcript from the tabs on the left.  You can view your unofficial transcript and order official online transcripts by Subscribing to Digitary/Parchment from the transcript page.  Once you have access to your documents in Digitary CORE/Parchment we strongly advise that you link your documents to a personal email address in addition to your @cam address.

Former Students

Please log into  CamSIS Extended Self-Service  and click on the Academic Tile, then choose 'Request a Transcript' from the tabs on the left.  You can view your unofficial transcript and order official online transcripts by Subscribing to Digitary/Parchment from the transcript page.  Once you have access to your documents in Digitary CORE/Parchment we strongly advise that you link your documents to a secondary email address.

Please see the  ESS FAQ page  if you have any further questions.

Please note, if you matriculated before 1980 you will not be able to access a digital transcript.

What is Digitary CORE/Parchment?

Digitary CORE/Parchment is a trusted, secure cloud platform that helps University students from around the world to access and share their verified academic documents online.  Verified documents can be stored, accessed and shared with employers, other education providers, governments and third parties, 24/7, from anywhere in the world. This allows for an efficient and effective way to view and share your documents, providing a platform where you are in control of who views your documents and how.

Access to your documents can take up to 5 working days from request, you will receive email confirmation once these are ready.

For Graduands who matriculated on or after Michaelmas Term 1980 we strongly advise that before ordering an official transcript that you check your unofficial transcript to ensure the content matches your requirements. Your unofficial transcript is available prior to purchasing any official copy via Student self-service or ESS.

Key benefits of Digitary CORE/Parchment include:

• Students can access their digitally certified official academic documents online
• Students can securely share their documents with third parties, quickly and easily
• Students have full control over who they share their documents with and for how long
• Students can present their documents in CVs, online profiles and applications to stand-out
• Employers and others can quickly and easily verify students’ academic documents

The Transcript

The content of the transcript cannot be modified as it represents an accurate record of your course(s) at the University of Cambridge. If you believe your document contains errors please check your personal details and course registration in CamSIS. If you need help doing this or would like further information, please submit a query here:  University of Cambridge Student Registry Office (zendesk.com)

If the transcript does not match your requirements, please contact your College or Department who may be able to provide further course statements. Please be advised that Tripos (undergraduate) paper marks have only been collected for transcripts since 2003, and there are gaps in some subjects. If your transcript does not contain the individual paper marks it will still contain the paper titles and the overall class obtained for each Part. Marks for other examinations, where available, have been attached to records after this date. For example, marks for MPhil exams have only been collected since 2006.

There is a one-off charge of £25 for lifetime access and unlimited use of Digitary/Parchment.

This service also allows you to access your academic verification document which you can then share directly and securely with a third party.  More information is available here.

We are unable to provide bespoke transcripts and verifications, students should approach their College or Department if they require such documentation.

The University no longer provides academic verifications to third parties - organisations must contact students directly.

Paper Transcripts

Paper transcripts are available via the University online store; priced at £25 for the first copy, then £10 for each additional copy  within the same order . They are identical to the online transcript and are available to order as follows;

• online for  UK and EC Customers
• online for  Rest of the World Customers

There is also an option for a DHL delivery service at an additional cost of £15.00 per address. This service is strongly recommended to ensure safe delivery. The University does not accept responsibility for items lost in transit. DHL is available to purchase on the Online Store as a separate item, which you can add to your basket. Where multiple deliveries are required, the £15.00 is payable for  each  different address.

Owing to high demand please allow  up to 28 working days  to process and dispatch paper transcripts.

If you have any further queries which are not answered in the FAQ's below or via the  Student Registry Help Centre  please submit a request with your details for additional support and advice.

No, your transcript contains your entire academic record with the University. Therefore if you have completed multiple courses they will be listed in chronological order on your transcript.

No, your transcript is produced automatically by pulling all of the relevant information from your student record and formatting it accordingly. Therefore there is no way to change or amend it. However your department or your College may be able to provide you with an unofficial supplementary transcript if you require extra information. Please contact your departmental or College administrator for information.

Please submit a query here:  University of Cambridge Student Registry Office (zendesk.com)  with full details of discrepancy.  If possible please attach a copy or screen shot of your transcript for reference.

Please check your document thoroughly as information can extend to multiple pages. If your central records have been subject to updates following examination or graduation please check your self-service account where you will be prompted to request available updates to your online transcript.

Unlike other UK universities, Cambridge does not award a final degree classification but, instead, each Part of the Tripos is classed. This means that, whilst examinations occur at the end of each Part of the Tripos and results are classed, there is no cumulative class at the end of the course. Further information concerning the structure of Undergraduate courses and what you graduate with can be found here:  https://www.camdata.admin.cam.ac.uk/structure-undergraduate-courses-cambridge

For students finishing in 2023 onwards, this will no longer be the case and overall degree classifications will be awarded.

The University of Cambridge does not provide a legalisation or Apostille service. To legalise documents please refer to  GOV.uk pages online here:  https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised . For Apostille services you will need to seek the services of an external provider.

We do not expedite requests. Online documents are usually available within 24-48 hours (Monday-Friday) of request however we advise that you allow up to 5 working days. Once certified and released you wil receive email confirmation directly from Digitary. We recommend that you add this email address to your list of trusted senders:  [email protected]

Please sign into your student  student self-service account  (or  ESS  or  CamSIS alumni ) and ensure that your preferred External email address is up-to-date, once you have done so please email  [email protected]  to request that your documents be reassigned.  You will receive email notification once they have been made available. We recommend that you add this email address to your list of trusted senders:  [email protected]

Check that you have registered/signed into Digitary/Parchment using the same email address that the notification email was sent to.  If the documents are still not available to view clear your browser cache and sign back in to Digitary CORE/Parchment.

You need to request your documents first via your  student self-service account  (or  ESS  or  CamSIS alumni  for former students) before you will be able to view any documentation via Digitary CORE/Parchment. Further guidance on how to subscribe/order is shown above.

Further FAQs on how to use Digitary/Parchment are available on the  Digitary Core by Parchment website

You will need to contact the Student Registry, please submit a query here:  University of Cambridge Student Registry Office (zendesk.com)

This is your registration term, the term you first started as a student at the University.

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Official transcript

What is an official transcript, transcript content and format, applicants who are currently studying, applicants with transcripts not in english, current and former oxford students, what if my institution is unable to provide me with a transcript.

As part of your application, you must submit a detailed record of all your university-level education up to the present, including courses taken and grades achieved. This includes university-level qualifications which you may perceive as not being relevant to the course you are applying to.

We recognise that some applicants may have been affected by extenuating circumstances that will impact the strength of their application. Information about how to declare extenuating circumstances can be found separately within this Application Guide.

To be considered official, your transcript should come from the institution where you studied. Your institution may need several months to produce your transcript, so you should look into your institution's arrangements as soon as you decide to apply.

To be accepted, any transcript you provide (including screenshots) must clearly display:

• your institution; and
• a breakdown of grades.

If your transcript contains additional pages with details about how scores are calculated and other relevant information, please include these pages when uploading it. We don't require hard or electronic versions of transcripts to be sent in by email or post when you apply.

Before you submit your application, you can upload transcripts via the ‘Supporting Documents’ section of the application form.

After submitting your application, you can upload transcripts using Graduate Applicant Self-Service .

You can upload up to five transcript documents with your application.

Accepted transcript formats

A scanned version of an official transcript.

This will often have a signature or stamp to certify it. The document(s) provided must be readable, but may show watermarks caused by copying or scanning.

An official e-transcript via a secure third-party electronic system

If you'd like to share an official transcript using an electronic system such as Digitary, register the email address [email protected] and choose the longest possible time for the document to be available. We will then add your transcript to the applications you have submitted, although you must let us know if you make any further applications later.

An electronic copy of an interim or provisional transcript provided by your institution

If you're currently studying and/or you do not have access to a transcript of your final results, you should submit an official interim or provisional transcript.

Screenshots

Screenshot images from self-service portals, if you're unable to obtain a transcript document.

Other reports and certificates

In addition, we accept Higher Education Achievement Reports (HEAR).

Where your institution does not issue a grade breakdown for MBBS degrees, a certificate can be accepted.

What we don't accept

We do  not  accept:

• Word documents (.doc and .docx)
• transcripts you have typed or translated yourself.

A degree certificate will not usually qualify as a transcript as it does not include detailed grade information, although it can be used as evidence of a PhD/DPhil qualification.

Requirements if an offer is made

The academic department may require you, as a condition of any offer made, to arrange for a final and/or more formal transcript to be sent to them directly from the institution or accredited e-transcript provider. Alternatively, the hard copy original transcript can be posted to the academic department.

If you have not yet completed your current degree and/or you do not have access to a transcript of your final results, you will need to submit an official interim or provisional transcript with details of your grades achieved to date. We will also accept screenshots from self-service portals provided they include the three elements stated in the above guidance.

If you are providing a Master’s transcript that does not yet contain any grades, you must include your undergraduate transcript to be considered ready for assessment.

If you are offered a place on a course starting in Michaelmas term (October) 2024, you will normally be required to arrange for your institution or accredited e-transcript provider to submit an official transcript with your final results by 31 August (or earlier, depending on the department’s requirements). Alternatively, the hard copy original transcript can be posted to the academic department. If you're applying for a research course and it isn't possible for you to meet this deadline, you should ask your department if you can be considered for a later start term.

If your official transcript is in any language other than English, you must submit:

• the original official transcript,  and
• issued and stamped by the institution that issued your transcript,  or
• translated by a professional translator and visibly certified – ie signed and stamped – by the professional translator or an authorised notary.

Any non-English transcripts you upload to your application without a translation will be rejected.

If you are a current or former Oxford student, you must still submit a transcript when applying for graduate study, ensuring that this includes:

• your institution;  and

If you are a current Oxford student you must still provide a transcript/screenshots containing the above elements even if you have not yet received any grades for your course. For example, a breakdown of modules without corresponding grades. 

The University's website provides guidance on how to obtain a final or on-course transcript for your studies at Oxford . You may submit screenshots from Student Self-Service as long as it contains the above information.

If your institution is unable to provide you with an official or provisional transcript – for example, due to the length of time since you studied there – you must ask them to provide written confirmation of this. This should include any details about your study that the institution can confirm, such as when you started and finished your degree, your degree title and your final grade. You may upload the written confirmation to your application instead of your transcript, or your institution may send it to us directly.

Unclassified degrees

Applicants whose institution awarded unclassified degrees due to the pandemic may still apply for graduate courses at Oxford. Our assessors will make their decision based on any graded modules in your transcript, the strength of the other elements of the application, and the references. You will have the opportunity to declare any extenuating circumstances on the ‘Qualifications and experience’ tab of the form, and you may wish to ask your referees to comment on the unclassified part of your degree and your expected performance if that part had been graded. 

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Transcripts

What is a transcript.

A transcript is a list of all the courses you have taken (or are currently taking) during a programme of study, with the result you obtained, and sometimes the credit value of each course.

If you have completed your study, the transcript should also show your final award (eg Bachelor of Honours, First Class).

What you need to send and when

When completing your online application you will be asked to upload copies of transcripts and certificates for each degree you have studied for, or are currently studying for. You will not be able to submit your application without these.

If you are made an offer of admission you will be asked to upload a certified copy to the Self-Service portal, or an electronic version sent via a secure electronic transcript system . This enables us to verify their authenticity. 

If you need to apply for a visa to study in the UK, do not send us your only original as you may need to send this to UK Visas and Immigration. Please ensure you have sufficient originals or certified copies for this purpose.

Obtaining, translating and uploading transcripts

• At the application stage, scanned originals or certified copies should be uploaded to the Applicant Portal. If you are currently studying, an interim or unofficial transcript will suffice. Should an offer be made, we will then require a copy of the final transcript to be provided.
• You should request your transcripts from your institution before you begin your application, so that you have them ready to upload. The academic registry at your university will be able to produce a transcript of courses you have taken or are currently taking. It may take a number of days for them to process and send this to you and you may be charged for this service.
• If your documents are not in English, you must also upload a full translation of each document, prepared by a registered translator. Do not translate the documents yourself.
• Please do not write on any of your documents before you upload them. If you do, we will not accept them.
• Applicants who are registered as a University of Cambridge student should obtain an unofficial transcript from their self-service page for current students. The downloaded transcript is digitally signed and cannot be uploaded directly to the self-service. Applicants will need to first print the transcript and scan it before being able to upload it.

Research proposal

Most courses that contain a substantial element of research require applicants to provide a research proposal. These are used as part of the selection process.

The length and format of the research proposal depends on the course you are applying for. You will be able to see specific guidance on this in the Applicant Portal when you are completing your application, or in the Course Directory . If you choose to apply for more than one course, you must upload a research proposal for each application you submit, tailored to the individual requirements for each course.

Written work

Some faculties and departments may ask you to provide written work so that they can make an assessment of your knowledge and the level at which you are working. You need to check the information for your course in the  Course Directory  or on the departmental website to see if this is required. If it is required you will be requested to provide it as part of your online application.

Do not send written work unless your course specifically asks for it; the department will not use it for assessing your application unless it is required.

Some departments will ask you for a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test. Please note that only the courses listed below will require one. If your prospective course is not listed, you should not request a GRE score to be submitted to the University of Cambridge, as your department will not retain or process the certificate. There is a charge for taking the GRE test.

The following departments and courses may require you to provide a GRE test result:

Economics :

• PhD (Probationary) in Economics
• Advanced Diploma in Economics
• MPhil in Economic Research
• MPhil in Finance and Economics
• MPhil in Economics

Cambridge Judge Business School

• PhD (Probationary) in Management Studies
• MRes + PhD in Management Studies
• MPhil in Strategy, Marketing and Operations
• MPhil in Finance
• MPhil in Management
• MPhil in Innovation, Strategy and Organisation

When registering for the GRE test please use following relevant institution code:

• 2433 U Cambridge  Economics
• 7020 U Cambridge  Judge Bus Sch  

Further information on the GRE test can be found on the GRE website .

You should also check the application information on the department website for further instructions and the levels of GRE scores they require.

Please note that the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is not accepted by any courses.

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Transcript of qualifications

If you require evidence of your modules studied and grades attained you can request a transcript of qualifications.

If you’re a current student, visit the page below (student login required)

Current students: Request a Summary of Results

Who can request a transcript

Transcripts are available for all former undergraduate, postgraduate taught and MBChB students.

Transcripts are not available for former postgraduate research students (except for the Doctor of Education EdD).

See our information for PGR students .

How to request your digital transcript

Digital transcripts serve the same purpose as printed transcripts and are accepted by many global organisations.

Online via Gradintelligence

You can access your digital transcript for free online via Gradintelligence if you were:

• an undergraduate student who started your studies in September 2012 or later
• a postgraduate student who started your studies in September 2014 or later

Access your digital transcript via Gradintelligence

For information about sharing your transcript with a third party, visit:

• Sharing your Gradintelligence document

How to request your hardcopy transcript 

Paper transcripts are printed on University headed, watermarked paper and include a wet stamp and signature from the University Secretary. Request paper transcript online

We aim to fulfil all orders within 10 to 15 working days (not including postage), however orders could take longer at busy times. 

Once your order has been processed you'll receive a dispatch notification email.

For information about delivery methods, visit:

Delivery and collection

• MBChB graduates

The Medical School can only produce digital transcripts.

You can order your digital transcript via the link below for a small fee .

We'll forward your request to the Medical School for completion. They aim to process your request within 10 to 15 working days.

Request MBChB transcript

If you studied before 1996

Archive transcripts are only available in hard copy format. 

Undergraduate alumni 

If you graduated prior to 1996 from an undergraduate course (for example BA, BSc, BEng, MEng), archive transcripts orders are handled by Student Registry.

Request paper transcript online

Archive transcripts can take up to six  to eight weeks for completion. This is due to limited access to archive student records. 

If you need a scan of your hardcopy transcript, add this in the "Additional requirements" section of the order form.

If you were a MBChB student, we may need to refer your order to the Medical School for completion. Refer to:

Postgraduate alumni 

If you graduated prior to 1996 from a postgraduate taught  course (for example MA, MSc(Eng), MSc), your result records are held within academic departments.

Request paper transcript online We will need to check with your former academic department to see if they are able to produce a transcript for you. 

Postgraduate research students

Transcripts are not produced for PGR students (except for the Doctor of Education EdD).

If you need proof of your attendance and course of study we can give you a  Confirming Letter .

For more detailed information about your research,  contact your academic department .  (student login required)

Doctor of Education (EdD)

You can request a transcript for the taught element of the course  at a cost.

Paper transcripts are printed on University headed watermarked paper and include a wet stamp and signature from the University Secretary.

Request paper transcript online

Diploma Supplement

If you graduated after the summer of 2005 and require a Diploma Supplement with your transcript, you can request this online via the link below.

Please state under the 'additional requirements' section that you require a Diploma Supplement.

Request hardcopy Diploma Supplement

A Diploma Supplement can be attached to your official transcript to improve the international recognition of your academic qualifications, by:

• describing your qualification in an understandable way
• describing the content and structure of the higher education system within which your qualification was issued

If you're are an Erasmus or Study Abroad student, you must apply for a Diploma Supplement from your home University.

For more information, visit:

• European Diploma Supplement (europa.eu)

Transcripts

• Recent leavers (awarded but pre-graduation) = £10
• Graduates/leavers since 1 Jan 1996 = £10
• Graduates/leavers before 1 Jan 1996 =  £25

Processing times

• Hardcopy transcripts can take between 10 to 15 working days to produce. 
• If you studied before 1996, or if we don't hold an electronic record of your results, orders can take six to eight weeks to produce.

We'll notify you by email once your document has been dispatched.

Explaining what's on your transcript 

For an explanation of the grades, module/unit outcomes and terminology on your transcript, visit:

• Explaining what's on your transcript

We offer a range of postal options for documents. 

If you would like to collect your documents, state this under the “Additional Requirements” section of the Online Store order form.

Once your documents have been produced, you can collect them from the SSiD front desk during our opening hours .

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If you can't pick it up yourself, you must request the document to be delivered to you instead.

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We will send your documents by standard delivery unless you specify otherwise. You will not be able to track the delivery.

If you choose standard delivery, your transcript will be sent by:

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• Royal Mail International Standard (overseas) - 10 to 15 working days (EU) or 15 to 30 days (worldwide)

The delivery times given above are estimates. 

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Royal mail special delivery (uk only).

Royal Mail Special Delivery is a guaranteed postage service in the UK. Your documents will be tracked and a signed proof of delivery can be obtained.

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This will allow you to track your delivery up until it leaves the UK. Depending on your country's postal service, additional tracking may be available once your delivery reaches your country.

• Estimated delivery time - five to ten working days

DHL Courier delivery (worldwide)

This will allow you to track your delivery from the University to your postal address. 

• Cost: within Europe: £25, outside Europe: £37.50
• Estimated delivery time: one to six working days

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Depending on the delivery method, you can report your item as lost after the following timescale:

• Royal Mail 2nd Class (UK) - 10 working days
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• Royal Mail International Standard (EU) - one month
• Royal Mail International Standard and International Tracked and Signed (worldwide) - six weeks

If your transcript has not arrived after waiting the time listed above, contact SSiD (see below)

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The Student Services Information Desk (SSiD) answers a range of general student related enquiries

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Transcripts

An academic transcript is a record of an individual programme of study at the University of York and includes all available marks plus your award date and award results (if achieved).

Transcripts cannot be produced for research programmes (PhD, MPhil and Masters by Research) as these programmes do not consist of individual modules.

Replacement degree certificates

Your award certificate is a valuable document that is proof that your award was conferred on you. A replacement physical award certificate can only be issued if your original certificate has been lost or destroyed. Under no circumstances will the University issue a replacement certificate to anyone still in possession of their original copy.

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We can provide you with validated copies of your degree certificate if you are currently in possession of the original copy you received following your graduation. The cost of certificate validation is £3 per certificate - for this, you will receive three validated (stamped and signed) copies per order.

Certificates

Other documents

Gradintel help

Third party verification requests.

Third party enquirers, such as employers, agencies and embassies, must verify attendance and awards from our university with a Prospects Higher Education Degree Datacheck (HEDD).

A HEDD verification confirms:

• the candidate’s name
• qualification type
• course name
• year of award
• classification obtained
• dates of attendance

Please visit hedd.ac.uk to register.

There is a small charge for each enquiry and you must provide the written consent of the individual.

To prevent delays, please enter the candidate’s details as they appear on their degree certificate.

Enquiries are checked and completed by the university’s registry team. The due date will be listed on your enquiry.

If you require further assistance, email [email protected] .

Transcripts

This page provides information about obtaining unofficial and official academic transcripts.

A transcript is your academic history.  It lists the titles and marks of the modules you studied in each academic year.  It gives your period of registration as a student, your degree award date and your degree classification. You may need your transcript for employment, further education or immigration purposes.

For older awards, the University is unable to guarantee that a complete set of module and mark data has been retained.

Official academic interim transcripts

Official University interim transcripts (transcripts that are available before you graduate) are currently produced as a PDF document in a secure format, which can be shared with any third party of your choosing. Interim transcripts are not available in the weeks immediately prior to graduation ceremonies as you will receive your e-HEAR electronically one week after you have graduated.

Transcripts are produced according to strict guidelines set out by NARIC and the Europe Unit of Universities UK. For these reasons, it is not possible for students to request additional information to be included on their official transcript.

Ordering official transcripts

If you owe outstanding programme fees we will not prepare your documents until your account has been cleared. We will always inform you if there is a problem with your account.

Official transcripts can be prepared for you at any time. However, if you are due to graduate and order a transcript before the ceremonies take place, it will not include the marks for your final year.

If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate taught student, and are expected to graduate, any orders received during or after the official assessment period will not be processed as all graduates will receive an electronic HEAR. All postgraduate research students will continue to receive a Diploma Supplement at the point of graduation.

• If you are a current student and wish to request your official transcript please access the  Student Administration Helpdesk portal and submit the following request form .
• If you graduated during or after December 2018, please access the Award Documents Portal  for your e-HEAR.
• Your full name at the time of your study
• Student ID number (if known)
• Date of birth
• Date of award (month and year)
• Type of degree (e.g. BA, MSc, PhD)
• Classification attained (if applicable)
• Programme title (e.g. Business Studies, Geography)

There is currently no charge for the production of your electronic transcript. The PDF document will be emailed to your University email address, if you are a current student, to ensure additional security measures are upheld. If you are a graduate, we will email your document to the email address requested.

We regret that that orders for documentation can no longer be taken over the telephone.

Please note the following when requesting your documents:

• For older awards, the University is unable to guarantee that a complete set of module and mark data has been retained in its records.
• Students who have graduated since July 2016 cannot order an official academic transcript. Any student who has graduated since July 2016 will receive an electronic Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) following graduation. For further information please visit our  HEAR web pages.
• Your transcript will reflect your registration at the time you place your order. For example, if you place an order to the start of a new session, your modules for that session may not be included. If your transcript requires these, you should wait to order your transcript once the new session has commenced.

Your electronic documents will be prepared and emailed as detailed above, normally within fourteen working days following the placement of the order. Please note that during certain periods of peak activity (eg registration in September/October and graduation in July and December), you may experience some delay in this regard.

Back to: Graduation

How to apply for a PhD in the UK

Applying for a phd is not quite as daunting as you might think. a postgraduate student recruitment officer from the university of sussex shares his tips for putting together a phd application.

Ben Osborne

There are many different reasons for wanting to pursue a PhD – to move into an academic role at a university, to continue studying a subject you are passionate about or to further your career. 

Whatever your motivation, many students are now choosing to pursue a PhD abroad. This guide will help you understand how to apply for a PhD at a UK university and answer any questions you might have around doing PhDs.

Download your Study Abroad Guide for FREE!

How to apply for a phd.

Application rules and methods vary for each university. The number of courses that you can apply for in a year will vary. For example, at the University of Sussex , you can apply for up to three postgraduate courses per year using the postgraduate application system.

If you are applying for more than one degree, you must submit a research proposal/statement specific to each area of study you apply for.

You can also apply to different universities to improve your chances of being accepted to a PhD course of your choosing. 

What qualifications do I need?

Each PhD will have specific entry requirements and you will also need to meet a university’s general entry requirements.  This may be an upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (2:1) or an equivalent international qualification. For some PhDs you may need a master’s qualification, and you may be asked to attend an interview.

International students may also be required to prove language proficiency. This will vary across institutions so do check what level universities expect before starting your application. 

Applicants should always check the specific entry requirements in a university’s online prospectus before making an application.

When should I start applying?

This will depend on when your term start date is. Most research degrees will start in September but some courses offer additional entry points in January or May.

You can apply all year round for research degrees starting in September, January and May, and the deadlines for applying are usually one month before the course start date for UK applicants, and three months before for international applicants.

If you’re applying for funding from an external organisation you’ll need to be aware that they may have different deadlines for the funding application. So give yourself plenty of time to research your funding options, and ensure you know how long the application process takes. 

Many universities offer a number of funded PhD opportunities and PhD scholarships for UK and international students, and it’s always worth investigating funding routes such as research councils and other organisations, both in the UK and overseas.

In some cases, it may be possible to study a PhD by distance which means you’ll be able to learn online and have virtual meetings with your supervisor.

If this is something you would be interested in doing you should check before applying whether your university can accommodate this option. 

Nine things to know before doing a PhD Starting a PhD during the pandemic Studying for a part-time PhD: the challenges and the benefits Is it possible to do a three-year PhD as an international student?

How should I look for a supervisor?

Usually if you are applying for a funded project, or to a research centre or group, you will normally be asked to provide a statement explaining your suitability for working in that area, and if successful you will be allocated a supervisor.

If you wish to propose your own area of research, you need to decide on a research topic, and you will be expected to write a research proposal. In some cases you may only be required to provide a summary of academic interests and this can be used to match you to a researcher that suits you.

If you are proposing your own research topic, there may be a research database at your university that you can search, or your university will match you with a supervisor during the assessment of your application. It may be possible to request supervision by a particular member of faculty – this will be considered but not all requests can be accommodated.

If you do find a potential supervisor who matches your research area, check their online profile for indications of their doctoral supervision capacity. If they are open to doctoral applications, you can contact them directly to check their availability for supervising you.

It is a good idea to draw up a shortlist of two to three potential supervisors, and take an in-depth look into their research history. You can also find out more about your potential supervisors by looking in the reference sections of academic textbooks and searching for articles in research databases and academic blogs.

When you contact your potential supervisor, it is important to tell them something interesting about yourself, and explain your research interests and how you feel your research proposal matches their expertise.

How do I write a research proposal?

If you are proposing your own research you will need to write a strong proposal that formulates a precise, interesting research question, and establishes the relevance and value of the proposed research question in the context of current academic thinking.

You’ll need to make sure your proposal describes the data or source material your research requires, and outlines a clear and practical methodology that enables you to answer the research question and that states clearly what you hope to discover at the end of your research, and what new areas it might open up.

The precise content and structure of your research proposal will depend on your subject area, and the University of Sussex has some helpful resources on our website to guide you through the process.

How long does the application process take?

Completing an application and writing a research proposal may take some time and should not be left until just before the application deadline.

It’s not easy to give a definite idea of how long it takes to hear if your application has been successful, as it will depend on when the application is made and the nature of the specific PhD, and you would need to meet any conditions contained within the offer before you can start the PhD.

What are the associated costs?

There won’t typically be an application fee for PhDs but there are tuition fees. If a university does charge application fees they will usually be between £50-£100.

The tuition fees for students studying in the UK are set by UK Research and Innovation . Fees for international students are £18,975 for non-lab-based subjects, and £22,975 for lab-based subjects per year.

You’ll also need to factor in living costs, but there are a number of funding routes you can apply for to help with this. As well as PhD scholarships and funded research projects there are research council awards, PhD loans for those eligible, and various organisations to which international students can apply for funding, such as The Gen Foundation and Open Society Foundations.

It’s important to be aware of the costs involved, but it’s also worth remembering that the educational, career and personal benefits of PhD study can be worth it.

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Making sense of PhD Transcript

At my university, there is no grading on a PhD transcript. There is no exam or predefined coursework (i.e. you can work on any aspect of the dissertation and in any order, which is not assessed but reviewed by the supervisor). At the end of the program (three years), the candidate must submit a dissertation for examination.

The PhD dissertation is examined by internal and external examiners and their reports give either a pass or a fail. There are various shades (e.g. pass, pass with minor revision, pass with major revision, fail, fail but allowed to resubmit, fail with a lesser award, fail with no award etc.).

The final transcript states "satisfactory progress" for each semester of enrolment and "pass" for the final semester. The graduation then takes place and the degree is awarded.

I recently had a request to provide the transcript of my PhD. The problem I have is that "satisfactory progress" and "pass" can both be seen as equivalent to a "C" grade (as per the key to grading that explains the grading for all university programs e.g. bachelors degree) I know this is not the case for a PhD. (I got some outstanding feedback from the examiners!)

How do I reconcile this situation?

I know I can alawys provide the examiners' reports but each report is close to 10 pages, with positive and negative comments. The award of the PhD is subject to the candidate making changes to the dissertation as per the examiners' comments (or otherwise defending why the examiners' comments are not valid in regard to the study). The final dissertation is not the same as the one the examiners assessed and in almost all cases it is a better product (hence the examiners's comments are no longer a true reflection).

How does the grading of PhD work in other universities?

EDIT: The 'issue' with no grades being available is that the Official Academic Transcript lists the six semesters (three years) with "Satisfactory Progress" for the first five semesters and "Pass" for the last semester. On the back is the grading information (i.e. what "Satisfactory Progress" and "Pass" mean). "Satisfactory Progress" is coded SP and means meeting all requirements to progress to the next course in a sequence of courses in a postgraduate research program and "Pass" is coded "C" and means demonstrated satisfactory levels of achievements in all objectives designated as essential for passing the course. The grading information also provides information on the highest grade which is HD (High Distinction) through to the lowest grade F (Fail). In this situation, why shouldn't a person see "Pass" as a C grade for a PhD!

It will be clear to the anyone reading you transcript that your university does not provide grades for preliminary stages of your PhD. Most likely, what they're really asking for is merely proof that you have the degree. If they actually want more detailed grades, that's too bad for them, because those grades don't exist.

In the US, dissertations are not graded; you either get the degree or you don't.

Along the way to the degree, PhD students may take classes (either by requirement or by choice), and grades for those classes typically show up on the transcript just as they do for undergraduates. US PhD students also typically sign up for research credit hours as a "class" during semesters when they aren't taking real classes, but those "classes" are almost always graded pass/fail or equivalent (for example, at my university, "satisfactory/unsatisfactory"). The actual dissertation and defense never shows up in the transcript, even if a student fails their defense.

I can't think of any circumstance where anyone (at least in the US) would even look at the transcript of someone's completed PhD program. Proof of degree, sure, but grades ? Never.

In this situation, why shouldn't a person see "Pass" as a C grade for a PhD!

Because PhDs don't have "grades".

• Thanks JeffE. I have updated my question in response to your first answer. –  Javeer Baker Commented May 14, 2013 at 1:35

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Transcripts, certified copies and other requests

Find out about transcripts, certified copies of degree certificates, and other requests

Academic Transcripts/Statements

An academic transcript is an official document that shows:

• Units taken in each year of study
• Assessment and reassessment (as appropriate) grades for each unit
• Total number of credits gained in each unit taken and in each year of study
• Degree awarded, degree classification and date of award (where applicable)

If you require a statement to confirm your attendance at the University, please contact the Student Services Reception:  [email protected]  If you would like to a copy of your Academic Transcript, please contact the Student Services Reception:  [email protected]

If you are a current student, you can print your transcripts via your  RISIS portal under actions> self-service letters, or contact your  Student Support Co-ordinator in your  Support Centre.

When requesting a transcript please provide your student ID number. If you do not have your student ID number we will require your full name, date of birth and also confirmation of the degree studied.

Diploma Supplements

If you registered on a programme of study at the University after autumn 2004 and have since received an award, you should have received a 'diploma supplement'. Your diploma supplement contains your transcript together with contextual information about your programme and the UK Higher Education system, in a standard format which is shared across the EU.

Diploma supplements are managed by the Examinations Office. If you would like another copy or replacement of your Diploma Supplement, you can order this on their  online store . If you require further information on Diploma Supplements, please visit the  Examinations webpage.

Award Verification

All educational background checks are carried out through an external organisation,  Hedd . Hedd is the UK Higher Education's official service for candidate verification and university authentication. It provides enquirers with the ability to verify a candidate's academic credentials. The remit of the service is to protect UK universities, employers and graduates from degree fraud. 

To contact Hedd please email [email protected] or visit UK's official verification hub at  hedd  online.

Certified Copies

If you need certified copies of your certificate, please email  [email protected]  with your request. Please specify how many copies you require and provide your preferred postal address. You must include a scanned colour copy of your original certificate. We are not permitted to provide any electronic copies of degree certificates due to our anti-fraud measures.

In some cases you may need to have documents ‘legalised’ by asking the UK government to confirm that a UK public official’s signature, seal or stamp on the document is genuine. Such a certification is called an apostille (internationally) or notarisation (domestically). This can be done online via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

For further information, please visit:  gov.uk

The Graduation Office are not involved in any aspect of the ‘legalisation’ process, however you can request a certified copy of your degree certificate which can be used for this purpose.

Witan International College

Witan International College (formerly Gyosei International College) was a wholly owned subsidiary of The University of Reading. It closed on the 31 March 2008. Should you have any enquiries about past students, transcripts, or certifications, please email  [email protected] .

Supporting documents for your PhD application

Along with your proposal, you will also be asked to provide supporting documents.

Academic CV

An academic CV is similar to one you would use in the professional world, but there are extra features to consider.

• Your academic CV will not be as brief as a professional CV, but usually no more than four pages.
• Your academic CV should be tailored to each application.
• In terms of content, think about past research activities and interests.
• You could make reference to any publications, conferences attended/contributed to or funding you may have been awarded.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence that you have a good command of the English language before commencing your PGR degree. This may be evidenced by an English Language Qualification or if your undergraduate/Masters degree was taught and examined in English.

Find out more about English language requirements .

Transcripts and degree certificates

Academic transcripts provide full details of subjects studied and grades/marks attained for both your first and highest degrees at point of application. If your transcript is not in English you should also supply a certified translation. If you have not completed your degree yet, you will be asked to upload an interim transcript to show your grades so far. You will be required to upload your degree certificates for any completed degrees.

In your application for a place of study at Stirling, you may upload your academic reference, if you do not, you must upload details of a suitable reference, and we will request a reference before a place is offered. All letters of academic reference must be on headed paper and dated. A letter of reference should include the following information, and you must be clear that your referee is aware of this.

• In what capacity have they known the applicant, and for how long? For previous students or employees, please also indicate how long ago.
• Assess, as appropriate, the applicant’s abilities in terms of: analytical reasoning; ability to grasp concepts; ability to work independently; ability to argue cogently; originality; industry; motivation; perseverance; breadth of interest; technical competence.
• Comment, as appropriate, on the applicant’s responsiveness to supervision/mentoring; responsiveness to constructive criticism, capacity for self-evaluation; ability to work with others; ability to organise work.
• Comment on any academic or professional experience that you consider relevant to the qualification applied for.
• If appropriate, indicate how confident you are that the applicant is likely to complete successfully the qualification aimed for. Please indicate how strongly you are supporting this application: not strongly, strongly or very strongly.
• If appropriate, comment on any postgraduate study or other forms of training already undertaken or in progress.
• If the applicant has yet to graduate, please indicate the degree result that, in your opinion, would most accurately reflect the applicant’s abilities.
• If possible, indicate the applicant’s ranking compared to other students on the same course or compared to other students you have taught (for example, 5th in a class of 80 students; in the top 15 per cent of students taught).

For our PhD programmes in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, we request that candidates submit an example of their own writing. Requirements for each of our programmes in Arts and Humanities are given below. Your writing example should be uploaded to your PhD application in the ‘other documents’ section along with your CV etc. If you have any queries, please contact [email protected] in the first instance.

PhD in creative writing

For Creative Writing projects, please upload a sample of creative writing, in English, of approximately 3000 words (prose fiction or non-fiction) or approximately 8 poems. This sample should showcase your abilities as a writer, but also reflect your ability to write to a PhD standard. We may, further, ask to see a sample of academic or self-reflexive writing, but initial consideration will be on the strength of your creative work.

PhD in English Studies, Publishing Studies, French, Linguistics, Religion, Spanish, Translation Studies, Global Cinema

Please upload a sample of academic writing, in English, of approximately 3000 words. This sample might be, for example, a chapter of your Masters dissertation, one of your best undergraduate essays, or any other piece of academic prose that you feel reflects your ability to carry out PhD study successfully. It should be related to the broad topic that you hope to study for your doctoral project.

Community Blog

Keep up-to-date on postgraduate related issues with our quick reads written by students, postdocs, professors and industry leaders.

What is an Academic Transcript?

• By Dr Harry Hothi
• December 24, 2020

An academic transcript is a university document which gives a complete breakdown of each individual module or subject you studied for your degree and the grade or mark that you were awarded for each module. This academic transcript will also give the level or credit value of each module and how it contributes to the final degree grade that you achieved. For example, your final year dissertation is likely to worth a greater number of credits than a single taught module.

Note that the academic transcript is an official university document and will detail the final marks that you were awarded after confirmation by the relevant examination boards. These will not include provisional or predicted marks if you are a current student yet to complete your degree (for example).

Professional bodies also provide transcripts that are similar in structure to the university academic transcript format. That is that these will give a breakdown of individual modules or units of study and the mark or grade awarded for each.

Note also that academic transcripts may be referred to using different terms depending on the university or country. These may include terms such as a record of achievement, a statement of learning, an academic record, a transcript of records, a diploma supplement, graduate diploma or a permanent record.

Why do I need an academic transcript?

You may be asked to provide a copy of your academic transcript when applying for certain jobs or if applying for a postgraduate degree such as a PhD . These may then be used by potential employers or institutions to determine which specific subjects you undertook. To that end, this document needs to be official certified by the university or institution you gained your degree at. The normal format here is for the academic transcript to be presented on the university’s letter-headed paper and either signed or stamped by the registry office.

How do I get a copy of my academic transcript?

Most universities in the UK will automatically send a paper copy of your academic transcript to your home address, together with your degree certificate, after you complete your degree. It is important that you keep this copy safe; replacement copies can be obtained but universities usually charge a small fee for this. For example, the University of London guidance is that a replacement copy will cost £25.

Note also that academic transcripts can only be requested from a university by the student that completed the degree. Requests from others (such as potential employers) are not permitted.

What information does an academic transcript contain?

This is an official transcript which details your full name, the university or institution that you studied at, the full title and level of your degree, the degree class you were awarded, a list of all courses, subjects, modules or units you undertook and the marks or grades that you were awarded for each of these.

There’s no doubt about it – writing can be difficult. Whether you’re writing the first sentence of a paper or a grant proposal, it’s easy

You’ve impressed the supervisor with your PhD application, now it’s time to ace your interview with these powerful body language tips.

The Thurstone Scale is used to quantify the attitudes of people being surveyed, using a format of ‘agree-disagree’ statements.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

Browse PhDs Now

Do you need to have published papers to do a PhD? The simple answer is no but it could benefit your application if you can.

Academic conferences are expensive and it can be tough finding the funds to go; this naturally leads to the question of are academic conferences worth it?

Henry is in the first year of his PhD in the Cronin Group at the University of Glasgow. His research is based on the automation, optimisation, discovery and design of ontologies for robotic chemistry.

Daisy’s a year and half into her PhD at the University of Surrey. Her research project is based around the control of electron spin state in InSb quantum wells using quantum point contacts.

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Transcripts

A transcript is a detailed record of your marks and grades of the courses studied on your programme

We will issue most final transcripts during the week after results are released. It takes a little time to issue transcripts so please do not worry if your transcript is not immediately available, it will become available soon. Final transcripts are issued using a system called Digitary CORE  which allows you to share your transcript electronically. 

If you were awarded more than two weeks ago

Your final transcript should have been issued into Digitary CORE - your profile will be linked to the primary personal email address we had on file for you. If there are any issues with your transcript, or if you cannot acccess Digitary CORE with what you think is the correct email, please  submit an enquiry .

Your Digitary profile

Your Digitary CORE profile should be linked to a personal email address which you have given us.  You will receive an automated email notification when your transcript is issued. If three weeks has passed since you were awarded and you think you should have a transcript but have not received a notification, or you not able to log in to Digitary CORE, please  submit an enquiry  confirming which personal email address you would like us to use, and we will check and update your profile as necessary. 

What information does a final transcript contain?

Transcripts contain the following information:

• Your full name, date of birth and LSE student number
• The title and subject of your programme of study
• The class of degree or other award obtained (if applicable)
• The details of the modules studied and the marks awarded (including any fail marks)
• Your programme start date and completion date
• Language of instruction and assessment
• An explanation of current module grading schemes.

Transcripts for alumni who graduated after July 2012 also include:

• A list of any prizes you were awarded 

From around three weeks after your results are released, you can also request an enhanced transcript with the following information: 

• Distribution of classifications at degree programme level for the academic year you were awarded and for the particular programme you studied
• Distribution of marks at course level for the academic year(s) you took them

Final transcripts DO NOT contain:

• Classification scheme details
• Syllabus details
• Programme transfer details
• Ranking information for students who were ranked at the top of their course(s).

Transcripts for current students (Intermediate transcripts)

For information on the options available to students who have not yet completed their programme of study please visit  Intermediate Transcripts .

Transcripts for alumni who graduated in 1993 or later

Digitary core.

Alumni who graduated in or after 1993 benefit from a system for issuing transcripts known as Digitary CORE  . This system allows you to easily share your digitally signed online transcript with potential employers, academic institutions and others. The recipient can quickly and confidently verify the legally valid and tamper evident document. The system is very easy to use. 

Accessing Digitary CORE

For more information on how to access Digitary visit the Accessing Digitary CORE page .

Hard  Copy Transcripts

An ever-increasing number of employers and educational institutions are happy to accept online transcripts. You can, however, also request a hard copy transcript through Digitary CORE. There is a charge of £15.00 per transcript. Please read  Hard Copy Transcripts  before placing your order.

Transcripts are sent via standard mail and cannot be tracked once they have left the LSE. To guarantee delivery we strongly recommend the use of a courier service. If using standard mail, LSE cannot provide reimbursement or replacements if the transcripts do not arrive.

Historic Transcripts

If you graduated between 1993 and 2000 your transcript may be incomplete. Please request and/or access your transcript as normal and we will be in touch if there are any issues.

LSE does not hold a record of marks for courses (modules) taken for the  LLM programme before the 2003/4 academic year . To request a complete transcript, please contact the  University of London .

MSc in Health Policy, Planning and Financing : Students who graduated before the 2002/03 academic year should contact the  London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine  to request a transcript.

Students who undertook the two year  MSc in Economics or the two year MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics  should submit an enquiry  to request a transcript.

General Course students from IFSA Butler and Arcadia  must contact their home institution for a transcript. We are unable to issue transcripts to these students directly.

Transcripts for alumni who graduated before 1993

LSE is therefore unable to issue transcripts for students who graduated before 1993. Instead you can contact the  University of London to find out whether they are able to provide you with a hard copy transcript of your individual course (module) marks.

To request a hard copy transcript please email the  University of London , providing the following information with your request:

• your full name
• your date of birth
• your degree title
• your year of graduation
• your preferred method of delivery/collection.

Please be aware that the University of London's records for degrees awarded before the 1993/4 academic year are, unfortunately, sometimes incomplete. The University of London may not, therefore, be able to provide details of individual modules studied or individual module grades achieved.

If you would like LSE to provide you with a letter confirming your award, without details of the courses (modules) you have taken and the marks received, then you should request a confirmation of award letter . We can also include a statement confirming that we are unable to provide a full transcript of marks due to incomplete records. These letters take five working days to produce. 

Transcripts for people who have withdrawn from study without an award

If you withdrew from your studies and would like to have a record of the marks you were awarded at the School, you should submit an enquiry   with details of your request.

You should include the following in your email: 

• a scan of your passport's picture page (or another government-issued ID)
• your programme and dates of study
• your full name at time of registration
• your student ID number (if known).

Please note that we will only be able to confirm marks that have been formally ratified by the relevant School exam board and cannot confirm provisional marks .

We aim to respond to your request within five working days. 

Other transcripts

To request a transcript from one of the following programmes of study, please contact the relevant team directly:

MPhil and PhD Transcripts

Please contact the PhD Academy for more information.

Summer School

Please visit  Summer School Transcripts  for more information.

University of London International Programmes and External Study

Please visit University of London at LSE for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will i receive my transcript.

Your Digitary transcript will be uploaded to the system within three weeks of you award being confirmed. You will receive an automated email when it is ready for you to access and share.

Hard copy transcripts are normally dispatched within five working days from receipt of your order. Please remember to allow additional time for delivery if you have requested that your transcript be posted to you.

How much does my transcript cost?

It is free to access and share your Digitary transcript. Hard copy transcripts for alumni cost £15.00 for each copy. Transcripts for current students are free of charge. If your transcript is incomplete in any way there will be no charge. 

I can only see one of my transcripts in Digitary CORE - what should I do?

If you already have access to one or more transcripts in Digitary CORE but need access to another one (e.g. if you can access your postgraduate transcript but need access to your undergraduate transcript) then please submit an enquiry . We will then upload this transcript, providing we have full records for when you studied the programme.

Can you send my transcripts directly to a third party?

You can easily share your Digitary transcript online with a third party, just follow the instructions in the system. We do not send or verify transcripts by email.  Transcripts shared thorugh Digitary CORE should be accepted as coming "from LSE". If you want us to send a hard copy to a third party please visit Hard Copy Transcripts for more information of how to request this.

Can I request that my hard copy transcripts are sealed in individual envelopes?

Yes, when making your Digitary transcript request, simply click on the 'yes' button next to the 'individually sealed?' option at the bottom of the page. For alumni who graduated before 1993, please include this request in your email to the University of London.

I am a potential employer of an LSE student or alumnus. How can I obtain proof of attendance or award?

Firstly, the alumnus can provide you with a transcript via the secure Digitary CORE system. If this is not sufficient, you can also undertake a third party verificatiion . We do not send or verify transcripts by email.  Transcripts shared thorugh Digitary CORE should be accepted as coming "from LSE". 

How do I request a Diploma Supplement?

Please visit Diploma Supplements  for more information.

How can I find details of the LSE's grading system?

Details of the system in force when the you graduated will be included with your transcript.

Can I get a certified photocopy of my transcript?

In order to prevent fraud we are not able to certify copies. You can however order as many hard copies as you like but will need to pay for each copy. 

I have a debt to the School – can I still obtain a transcript?

No, we're not able to issue transcripts if you still have a debt to LSE. You should contact the Fees, Income and Credit Control team for more information.

Why are there exceptions to who can access their transcripts in Digitary?

In most cases this is because LSE is part of the University of London, and in the past the University of London awarded our degrees. This means that we do not hold all records at LSE and subsequently cannot produce a transcript. In other cases (such as for some General Course students) this is because of contractual relationships with our partners. 

Assessment and Results FAQs including Marking and Assessment Boycott 2023

Degree Certificates where and when to collect yours from on any of the ceremony days

Diploma Supplements what they are and when you might need one

Meet the team.

Student Wellbeing at LSE

For enquiries from LSE applicants and students

Please log in and fill in our enquiry form

For all external enquiries

Please fill in our external enquiry form

For all LSE Staff

Please click here for direct SSC team contact information

• Schools & departments

Academic Transcript Order Form

Please only request paper copies where absolutely necessary - these requests will take longer to turn around than requests for documents in electronic format. Current students can forward, download or print documents via MyEd at MyEd --> Accounts --> My Student Record --> Documents. Graduates from 2012 onwards can access the same service but should do so via the Alumni Portal.

• Start (current step)
• Delivery Details
• Additional Information

Who can use this form

• Current students: You can send a link to a PDF from MyEd. Use this form if you require a hard copy of your transcript, or if for any reason the MyEd option is not available.
• Graduates prior to 2012: Use this form to request a PDF or hard copy of your transcript.
• Graduates from 2012 onwards: Please use the Alumni Portal for electronic copies. Use this form if you require a hard copy of your transcript, or if for any reason the Alumni Portal option is not available.
• MSc (by Research) graduates: Select "MSc Taught" as your qualification. We can only produce transcripts for MScR students who took classes that were assessed with a mark/grade.

Who should not use this form

• MBChB graduates: You will need to use a separate order form for transcripts related to the MBChB programme . 
• Taught Postgraduates prior to 2005: Transcripts are not available. Contact your School or College Office for assistance.
• PhD graduates: Transcripts do not exist for PhD graduates. Please contact your School or College Office or order an Academic Statement .
• ECA and Moray House graduates before respective mergers with the University of Edinburgh: See the Transcript Information page .

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Award Documents and Academic Verifications

Receiving your award

Find out what parchments and transcripts are and how to request replacements

Award and Certificates

The University of Portsmouth offers a range of courses which carry a variety of award titles. The specific award you achieve will be based on your registered course of study and your academic achievement.

Not all courses entitle a student to attend a graduation ceremony, but most courses will entitle a student to some form of formal recognition of achievement, such as a certificate, diploma supplement or letter of verification.

Award Documents FAQ

Does my course of study entitle me to attend graduation.

Your entitlement to attend graduation depends on your course of study and your eligibility to attend is based on your academic achievement. Details on eligibility can be found here .

In general, if you are studying a course at the University of Portsmouth, either in Portsmouth, distance learning or at our London campus that has one of the following award designations, you should be entitled to attend a graduation ceremony:

• A Bachelor’s Ordinary Degree or a Degree with Honours, of Arts (BA), Science (BSc), Engineering (BEng), Law (LLB), Nursing (BN) or Economics (BSc Econ);
• A Master’s or an Integrated Master’s degree 
• A CertEd, CertHE, HNC or HND
• A FdA or FdEng
• A PGCert, PGCE, GradDip or PGDip
• MPhil or PhD 

In some cases, if you are studying at one of our partner institutions you may also be entitled to attend a University of Portsmouth graduation ceremony. You should check with your home institution first. 

For any other queries about whether your course of study entitles you to attend a graduation ceremony or about academic eligibility, please contact the MyPort Information Hub at [email protected]  

What is the difference between an Award Certificate and a Transcript?

When you complete your degree, you'll receive your award documents confirming your degree and classification. This is made up of an award certificate (parchment) and where applicable, a transcript listing the modules you passed during your studies, and the mark and credit level for each module.

Your award certificate is a coloured certificate showing your name, award title, classification and date of the award. Award classifications include first, upper second, lower second and third for Bachelors degrees and merit and distinction for Postgraduate courses. 

Award certificates are printed on watermarked parchment paper with the University crest, and signed by the Vice-Chancellor and Academic Registrar. 

Your transcript lists the modules you passed during your studies, and the mark and credit level for each module.  If you require a Diploma Supplement, these can be provided on request by emailing [email protected]  .

How are you tackling Document Fraud?

In order to reduce the risk of document fraud, we print your documents on specialist paper. More information about the security features of your award documents can be found here .

Certificate paper   Transcript paper

When will I receive my award documents?

Award documents will be sent to the correspondence address on your student record after you have completed your degree and your marks and classification have been verified by the Board of Examiners.   

If you are attending a graduation ceremony you may receive your parchment as part of the ceremony arrangements; if not and in any circumstance, award documents will always be sent to you at your correspondence address once the graduation ceremonies are complete.

If you're a postgraduate student completing your studies in September, the exam board for your course may meet between October and mid-December. Award documents issued from these exam boards are posted as soon as possible after the exam board meets. 

Do I have to pay for my award documents?

We will not charge you for your original award documents and for standard postage (we send award documents through Royal Mail). Any requests to use an alternative service will incur a fee. 

If it is over six months since your award documents were sent to you and you have not made contact with us, you will have to pay for a replacement set.

If you didn’t update your correspondence address before your documents were sent out and they got lost, you will have to pay for a replacement set.

How do I get tracking details for my award documents?

As standard we don't send award documents by registered mail and therefore tracking information is not available.  If your correspondence address is overseas please wait 6-8 weeks for your documents to arrive before contacting us.

As long as you have updated your correspondence address on MyStudentView, we will not charge you for resending a returned award document; however, if you have not updated your correspondence address by the deadline given when we contacted you, you may incur a charge for reposting.

If you have misplaced your award documents you can request replacements. If we are able to verify your original award from the University of Portsmouth we may be able to supply you with replacement documentation or a letter of verification (this will depend on how long ago you achieved your award and the type of award).  

How can I request replacement award documents?

We can provide replacement award documents for graduates who were awarded after 1 September 1992 when the University received its awarding powers. However, for graduates who completed their studies before 1999 we are unable to provide replacement transcripts as the University did not retain module marks prior to this date.  Please place your order through our online store .

If you studied at Portsmouth Polytechnic (CNAA) between 1969 and 1992 you will need to contact the  Open University Validation Service who will provide a proforma certificate. 

If you graduated prior to 1969, please email [email protected] to check that we are able to fulfil your request before placing your order.

We aim to process your request in 10-15 working days; however at peak times (July and November) this may take longer.

What name will be printed on my award documents?

Your award documents will be printed with your full name as shown on your Student View. As these are legal documents we are unable to print them with preferred names. You will receive an email approximately a month before you are due to finish your course showing you what will be printed on your documents. If this is incorrect you need to send a copy of your passport to  [email protected] .

Can I change the name on my award documents after they have been printed?

Like your Birth Certificate, school and other certificates are usually considered to be a “matter of fact”; as long as they were correct at the time they were issued, they will not generally be updated with your new name.    If you need to show your certificates to someone and the name is different, you simply show your Birth Certificate, or some other evidence of your previous name, at the same time. 

If a spelling or administrative error has been made we will provide a replacement set of documents free of charge. 

In circumstances where an individual has corrected their name as a result of gender reassignment, and the individual asks the University to reissue a degree certificate showing this name, this request will be granted free of charge upon production of proof of name.

My award documents haven't arrived. What should I do?

Once you have received your results, your documents will be printed and posted to your correspondence address. It can take up to two weeks for documents to be delivered in the UK and 6-8 weeks for international addresses. It may take longer during peak periods (July and November). If your documents haven’t arrived after this time, please email [email protected] with your student number and we can investigate for you.

Where do my documents get sent to?

Once you have received your results, your documents will be printed and posted to your correspondence address (or may be available for you to collect after your graduation ceremony in the summer). This is a different address to your home address and term time address. It is really important that you update your correspondence address before you finish your course. You can do this on your Student View.

If you don’t update your correspondence address before your results are published it is possible your documents will get lost. If you haven’t updated your address and your documents get lost you will have to pay for a new set. Replacement certificates and transcripts cost £35 each.

Can I request duplicate copies of my award documents?

You are permitted to have one copy of your award documents in your possession at any one time; multiple copies cannot be requested. Once a new copy of your award documents are printed, previous copies are rendered invalid. We are able to provide certified true copies instead.

How do I request the verification of my award documents?

There are a number of different verification services available.

I need a Letter of Academic Verification

We are able to provide letters of verification for graduates who were awarded after 1 September 1992 when the University received its awarding powers. Please place your request through our form .

If you graduated prior to 1969, please email [email protected] to check that we are able to fulfil your request before placing your request.

Do you provide Personal References?

If you're looking for a personal or character reference from an academic, you'll need to contact the faculty you studied under to see whether this can be arranged. Please email [email protected] to request this.

Certified copies of original award parchments

Some companies, educational institutions or government authorities may require you to supply certified award documents.

We are able to certify documents for graduates who were awarded after 1 September 1992 when the University received its awarding powers. Please place your order through our  online store .

You will need to send a scanned copy of your original award certificate/transcript as required, this will be stamped, signed and emailed back to you as a pdf. If you need it to be sent to a third party, please include their contact details in your order. If you don’t have your original documents, you will need to purchase a replacement set and then add a certified copy to your order. 

We aim to process your request in 10-15 working days; however at peak times (July and November) this may take longer. This service costs £10 per document.

Credential Evaluations

If you are applying for a course of further study or employment in the United States of America or Canada, you will probably need to provide a credential evaluation report. This is a report that verifies what your UK award equates to in the USA or Canada .

The University has an arrangement with World Education Services (WES), please see below for further details, but there are a number of organisations which offer this service which you could choose to use instead.

World Education Services (WES)

World Education Services (WES) offer a credential evaluation service and you can find more information about the required documents here .

We aim to process your request in 10-15 working days; however at peak times (July and November) this may take longer. This service costs £10 per document.  Please place your order through our  online store , along with your WES reference number.  Once we receive your documents we'll check your award and stamp and certify the copy before we upload it to the secure WES portal (please see the diagram below for how this works).

Apostille certificates

If you're an overseas student or a graduate wanting to live or work abroad you may need an Apostille certificate in addition to your parchment. Details on how to do this can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth website. You will need to appoint a solicitor to legalise the documents on your behalf.

Visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website

Third party verification requests - HEDD

If you are a third party requesting verification for a University of Portsmouth award, this is managed by Prospects Hedd online verification service.  There is a small charge per enquiry. 

Prospects Hedd is managed by Jisc and has been providing a secure verification service for employers, screening agencies, embassies, councils and other institutions for over nine years. Verification requests through Prospects Hedd can be made to over 125 UK Higher Education Institutions.

How to register

To make an enquiry you need to register with Prospects Hedd by visiting www.hedd.ac.uk . 

• Select ‘University of Portsmouth’ from the list of UK higher education institutions and choose the option to 'verify a degree award'. 
• You will also be required to upload a hand-signed consent form. Please ensure you adhere to the specific consent requirements before submitting your request as this will result in a delay to your request being actioned. Our consent form template can be found here .

Submitting an enquiry

You’ll need the individual’s name, date of birth, course, qualification, year of graduation and degree result. Dates of attendance will be given alongside the verification response.

To ensure your verification is submitted correctly, and to receive a quick response, we recommend you input the data as per the degree certificate or ask the individual to give you their data as they believe it's recorded in the student records system or at the time of study. The enquiry will then come to us for verification, with a 15 working day turnaround time. 

If you have any problems or queries, please email [email protected]

What is sharing?

Certificates and transcripts

When you graduate, you are presented with a certificate and, if applicable, a transcript, either on stage during the ceremony or afterwards by one of the alternative processes listed below. Your certificate and transcript are your formal record of your award and should contain your full name.

Collecting your certificate in person

At the ceremony:.

If you are attending your graduation ceremony, your certificate and transcript will be presented to you as you leave the stage.

The  Diploma Supplement can be printed out to keep with your degree certificate and academic transcript. It describes your award in more detail and may be useful if asked for further information about your qualification.

After the ceremony

You may collect your certificate from the Student Enquiries Counter, Rutland Building on the Loughborough campus on or after the date of the graduation ceremony. You will need to bring some form of identification with you.

Certificates for students who graduated from Loughborough University London in or before December 2019 are held at the London campus and may be collected from the Professional Services Team.

Collecting a certificate on behalf of someone else

Student Records & Operations will release certificates to third parties on the instruction of graduates. If you would like someone else to collect your certificate, you should confirm that you will graduate in absentia and provide their details via the graduation booking system.  The person nominated must show some form of identification (e.g. their passport or driving licence) when they collect your certificate.

Certificates may be collected from the Student Enquiries Counter in the Rutland Building on or after the date of the ceremony at which the award was conferred.  If you cannot confirm the details of the individual nominated to collect your documents via the graduation booking form, please send their details to  [email protected] .

Certificates for students who graduated from Loughborough University London in or before December 2019 are held at the London campus.

Recorded Delivery

The University can post your certificate and transcript via recorded delivery if you are unable to attend your graduation ceremony. If you would like your certificate and transcript to be sent to you after the ceremony you must arrange this by visiting our  online store . Certificates and transcripts will be sent out by Student Records & Operations four to six weeks after the ceremonies have finished.  A postage fee will apply.

Graduates whose documents are being posted to the People’s Republic of China are encouraged to provide their full name and address in Chinese characters, plus a telephone number via email to [email protected] to assist with the delivery.   

Certificates for Loughborough University London students who graduated in December 2019 or earlier will be held at the London campus.  To make a payment for postage, you need to select the  London In Absentia postage option from the online store .  London students graduating from 2020 onwards should use the Loughborough postage option in the online store . 

If you would prefer to arrange for courier collection of your certificate from the Student Enquiries Counter, Rutland Building, Loughborough campus, at your own expense , this is possible. Please ensure that the details for the collection, including your name and student number, are forwarded to [email protected] .  Collections may be made between 9.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, excluding University closure days .  

Duplicate Certificates and Transcripts

Upon Graduation students are issued with a certificate and an academic transcript free of charge.

Please note that the University only issues  ONE  original certificate and academic transcript per student.

Certified copies of certificates and transcripts are available for a charge through the  University's online store . (Please note that if you graduated prior to 1996 you will need to contact the academic department at which you studied for a copy of the transcript.)  If you have special requirements, for example you would like a transcript to be sent to World Education Services in Canada or the USA, please note this in the additional information section of your order and email instructions/the accompanying paperwork to [email protected] .

Your Name (how it appears on your certificate)

Your certificate and transcript are a formal record of your award and, as such should contain your full (legal) name, as shown on your passport or other legal documentation.

Your name will appear on your certificate and transcript in the form 'first name(s) surname/family name'.  Titles and other awards are not included. If your full name follows a different convention, or you need to make any other changes to your name, please complete the Name Change form and take it with supporting evidence (e.g. passport or marriage certificate - more information on the Names, titles and pronouns page in the Student Handbook ) to the Student Enquiries Counter in the Rutland Building.  If you are no longer resident in Loughborough please email a copy of the form and supporting evidence to  [email protected] .

Changes cannot be made after you have graduated, unless the name change is associated with gender reassignment, or other exceptional circumstances (e.g. you have changed your name because you require protection from a government agency as a vulnerable person). Certificates will not be re-issued following marriage or divorce. For further information, please refer to the University's policy on student names .   

Post-Nominal Letters

Use of the letters indicating your qualification, such as BSc, PhD or DLitt, is covered by  formal guidance on Post-Nominal Letters .

If you have any queries regarding your  certificate or academic transcript  you should contact the Graduation Office.

Student Records & Operations

• +44 (0)1509 222491
• Rutland Building

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Postgraduate research application information

How to apply

Applying for a research degree is a simple process. Explore our step-by-step guide below to help you complete a successful application to Essex.

Ready to apply? Start your application today.

Step 1 – Get to know our research in your chosen field

At Essex, we are passionate about our research and focus our studies in a variety of different fields. Before deciding to study with us, it's best to get to know what we specialise in, and explore what we have on offer. You can do this in several ways. 

• If you have a topic specifically in mind you can use our research finder.  Here you will see all our research centres, groups and areas in your chosen field, as well as potential supervisors to work with, or previous projects in similar areas. Make sure you try a variety of different keywords to be sure you have explored all we have to offer in your area in as much detail as possible.
• If you aren't quite sure of your topic, why not explore our schools and departments  and look at their individual research, or review our  research centres and institutes . You can also have a look through our previous research impact case studies and see for yourself how our research is changing the way we think about the world.
• Alternatively, if you know who you would like to supervise your research, you can search directly for their name in our research finder tool too.

Step 2 – Explore your options

Now you have a better idea about what Essex has to offer, it's best to read through our  research study web pages  and explore the options available to you. Depending on the course and your thesis topic, we offer a variety of different research awards such as:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Integrated Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated PhD)
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• Master of Arts by Dissertation (MAD)
• Master of Science by Dissertation (MSD)
• Professional Doctorate

Subject to availability, we will also have a range of  postgraduate research opportunities  available to you such as paid studentships or  Doctoral Training Partnerships . There is plenty to choose from.

We have lots of courses available, so feel free to explore on the research tab of our subject pages to find one that works for you. Many of our research degrees also allow you to start in either January or April, as well as October, so consider when you would like to start your degree before you apply.

• Explore our subjects
• Browse our courses by interest

Step 3 – Review the course, check your eligibility, and the fees and funding associated with it

Sometimes, the chosen topic you wish to study might cross over several different courses. Don't worry about this just yet. Just keep in mind the topic you want to study and try to form a thesis title. You'll need this to make your application. As you discuss your thesis with your chosen supervisor (see Step 4) they will help you choose the right course for you.

On each of our course pages we provide details of the entry requirements you need, as well as what the fees are. We also have more information on fees and funding within this section of our website as well.

• View our courses
• Use our scholarship finder to find opportunities for funding

Step 4 – Decide what you want to study

By now you should have a good idea of what you want to study, and the related courses that match. Hopefully by this step, you would have explored our research and know which fields of study our experts supervise. You can use our  research finder tool to search for the field you're interested in and see which supervisors are available. Each of our supervisors will list what areas they are open to supervision in on their profiles within their 'Research and Professional Activities' section. 

You do not need to contact a potential supervisor before applying to any of our research programmes, but you should still prepare a research proposal.

Step 5 – Prepare your research proposal

Your research proposal is one of the most important parts of your application, and it's one of the main things we use to differentiate you with other applicants. During your studies you will conduct and present the results of your original investigations and research. Therefore, you need to ensure that your research topic will engage and excite you enough for three or four years. Research your topic by reading around your subject area and start to think what you might like to include in your research proposal.

Whilst your research proposal will no doubt go through a few drafts before it is finally submitted to us, it is important that it is clear, concise and well written. If you want to discuss your research proposal with a potential supervisor before making an application, you should contact them to share your idea.  You should also send them an accompanying Curriculum Vitae (CV) as well, as this will help them learn more about you. They may be able to help you refine your proposal further before you submit your final application.

Guidance on writing your research proposal

This is your chance to explain your personal and academic goals in undertaking an extended piece of research, and reflect on the contribution you will make to the development of new knowledge, ideas and solutions. You should comment on how your research interests fit with the academic focus and expertise at Essex.

Your research proposal needs to demonstrate that you have, or are able to develop, the competencies and skills needed to complete your project, within the time and resources available. The quality of your writing is important and a good research proposal may be rejected if it is poorly expressed or badly presented.

Many of our departments, schools and centres offer more detailed guidance on preparing a research proposal on their web pages. If you are applying for funding, ensure your proposal fulfils the requirements of your preferred funding body.

Your research proposal should include:

• a working title and key words
• a summary of the aims and objectives of your research
• an outline of the ways in which you will meet these aims and objectives
• an overview of the expected outcomes and the original contribution your research will make to existing bodies of knowledge
• a brief statement on how your research interests tie in with those found in the department, school or centre

Step 6 – Get your documents in order and make an application

When you apply to study with us, you'll need to provide a number of supporting documents. Some of these documents will have to be uploaded with your application, others you may be able to provide at a later date:  

English Language (this is not required at the time of application) All teaching at Essex is in English. If English is not your first language you'll need to demonstrate that you meet all the University's English language requirements before you can study with us.

We accept a wide range of proofs of proficiency. These include IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson and other tests (tests must normally be less than three years old at the time of admission) and proof of undergraduate or postgraduate study in English (qualifications must normally be less than five years old at the time of admission). The English language requirement for your course is listed on each of our course's entry requirements. This is expressed as an IELTS level, but we will accept other equivalent proofs of proficiency.

You can see more detailed information about English language requirements here (.pdf)

Transcripts Official transcript(s), in English or a certified translation of your academic results to date, showing marks or grades, must be provided at the time you make your application. (Transcripts are not required from current or previous University of Essex students).

Curriculum Vitae (CV) Also known as a resume in some countries, a CV is required for some research degrees at the time of application

Your research proposal

A personal statement For applicants that require a student visa to study in the UK, a personal statement is required. Your personal statement should be no more than 500 words, and should refer specifically to your reasons for wishing to study at the University of Essex, and why you have chosen your area of study. 

References Don't worry if you can't provide a reference when you make your application, if we need one you will be able to provide this at a later stage.

When you are ready you can make your application online.

Step 7 – Time to apply 

Applying to Essex is simple and straightforward. We'll give you all the important information you need to make your application. Our online application form takes about 20 minutes to complete.

Application deadlines

Applications for  January 2025 and April 2025  are open.

We recommend that you apply as soon as you are able to as courses may occasionally close early. This webpage will be updated with any changes to application deadlines. You should also take into account any deadlines for funding applications, such as scholarships.

Please be aware that not all of our postgraduate research degrees offer a January or April start-date. 

Visit our page on student visas if you are not sure whether you need one to study in the UK.

*This application deadline was extended from 2 September 2024 to 9 September 2024.

After you apply

We aim to respond to postgraduate research applications within four weeks once we have received all the relevant documents from you. 

When you create your application, you will be issued with an application number (PG number), which is your unique reference number with us.

You will also be able to create an account on our myEssex for Applicants portal to manage your application.

Accepting your offer

If we offer you a place, we'll send you our decision via email. You will be able to view and download your offer letter from your  myEssex  portal within 24 hours of a decision being made. We will send you an email with instructions on this. You should use myEssex to accept your place and to keep us informed of any changes to your contact details by updating them online. We will ask you to reply to your offer within 30 days.

Before starting your course you need to consider how you are going to fund your studies. If you will need to hold an offer for a course to become eligible for funding, you’ll need to allow time to make your course application and get an offer in place before the funding deadline. 

The Graduate Admissions Feedback Policy provides information on how to request feedback if your postgraduate application is unsuccessful. Feedback is not available for all postgraduate courses, and this is explained within the policy.

Other things to consider

Transferring to essex from another university.

If you are currently studying at another university, either in the UK or elsewhere, and it’s not working out, you may be considering transferring to the University of Essex.

We welcome enquiries and applications to transfer to Essex and recommend that you read the guidance below before making an application.

Before applying for transferred entry

Transferring to another institution is a big decision, and can take time to complete. We would recommend speaking with someone at your current university (such as your personal tutor, supervisor or academic support services) who can provide advice and guidance on the possibility of transferring.

You should also discuss with them the impact that a transfer might have on your funding or visa arrangements.

If you decide that you wish to transfer to the University of Essex, we recommend emailing our  Postgraduate Admissions Office  before making an application. 

How to apply for transferred entry

Please email [email protected] stating that you intend to transfer from your existing institution, noting your course choice and preferred point of entry at Essex. You should then make your application for the course via the University’s Postgraduate Application Form and attach the following supporting documentation:

• Personal statement (which might include your reasons for moving institution)
• Research proposal
• A reference (if possible, from your current supervisor)
• Undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts

Upon receipt of your application, the relevant department, school or centre at Essex may invite you to interview and will assess your suitability for transfer to the University of Essex. The following information may also be requested for consideration as part of your application:

• Formal release of all Intellectual Property (IP) from your original institution
•   Data use and/or ownership information
•   Ethical approval information
• Studentship/scholarship funding transfer arrangements

Students requiring a student visa

If you require a student visa to study in the UK, the above information will apply. However, in addition, we will consider whether you would be able to meet all Home Office requirements when determining whether or not you are eligible to transfer to the University of Essex. Visit our immigration pages to find out more information.

Transferring credit for individual modules

If you wish to transfer credits for individual modules from your current or previous university study or work experience, you should discuss the matter with the relevant Admissions Office in the first instance. Your request may be considered under the University’s Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L) procedure. This procedure may need to be completed in addition to submitting a standard application to transfer to the University of Essex.

Please refer to the University’s  AP(E)L policy  and procedure for further information.

Extenuating circumstances

We understand that sometimes circumstances beyond your control may have impacted your studies. The Admissions Selector may take into account any extenuating circumstances which have affected an individual applicant when deciding whether an offer should be made, or if an applicant’s place may still be confirmed where degree results miss the entry requirement. 

We will automatically consider information provided within the personal statement and reference about any extenuating circumstances which may have affected your academic performance. If you wish to inform us of any extenuating circumstances not disclosed in your application, such as illness or any other serious difficulties during study, these should be emailed to [email protected] or the Postgraduate Admissions Adviser named on your offer letter. You should inform us of any extenuating circumstances as soon as possible. If further information or evidence is required regarding any extenuating circumstances before a decision can be made, we will contact you. Any extenuating circumstances provided should only be those not already considered by an examination board prior to your results being issued.

Disability and health

Applications are considered against the same academic criteria as those from other candidates. If you are disabled, state this on your application form so that we can give early consideration to any support requirements you may have. Please contact Student Support if you would like to discuss this in more detail before you apply.

If you require an application form in an alternative format please call our Postraduate Admissions Office on +44 (0) 1206 876587 to discuss your needs.

Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L)

Policy and procedure for the Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L)

• AP(E)L Policy (.pdf)
• AP(E)L Proforma (.doc)
• The reuse of credit (.pdf)
• Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust reuse of credit (.pdf)

Readmission

This procedure applies to former postgraduate students who are requesting permission to be readmitted to study, having previously left voluntarily or having been required to withdraw from the University.

It does not apply to:

• students who want to be admitted to study at a higher level after having successfully completed an award at a lower level
• students who have successfully completed a degree and want to start another degree in a different subject area

Readmission policy

It is our policy, and part of national HESA rules, that you cannot normally be considered for readmission to the same programme from which you have been required to withdraw, or a similar programme which contained modules you have already taken, for a minimum of two years after you left (with the exception of students who have been required to withdraw for debt).

You can be considered for immediate readmission to a completely different area of study if there are good reasons to indicate that you chose the wrong course originally and there was evidence that you could be successful in a new area. This is subject to the University’s rules relating to the maximum period of study.

In order for your request to be considered, please complete the application form for former postgraduate students .

Supporting documents

Your personal statement should cover the reasons why you wish to be readmitted; what you have been doing since leaving Essex; and why you believe you will be successful if you return to your studies at Essex. If you have studied elsewhere since leaving Essex, please give full details of the course(s) you studied and the dates of your study.

If you are a recent Essex student and you have not studied elsewhere since leaving Essex, then you will not need to supply a new reference with your application.

The deadlines for the submission of a readmission request are set well in advance of the relevant course start date, as the process can be a lengthy one, especially if a student requires a student visa to study in the UK.

Your application will be considered by several departments within the University, so please don’t be concerned if you don’t hear from us immediately. Depending on your case, it may be a number of weeks before you receive a decision. If you have any concerns about the progress of your readmission request please contact: [email protected]

Complaints against decisions

There is no right of appeal against selection decisions made by the University, including decisions about readmission. Complaints will normally be considered to be valid only where there is evidence of procedural irregularity. In the event that you are dissatisfied with the University’s readmissions process, you can submit a complaint in line with the complaints policy for applicants (.pdf).

Our innovative research training scheme, known as Proficio, awards each of our research students up to £2,500 which can be put towards training courses and attending conferences. This funding will enable you to curate your own tailored training plan, developing the skills and knowledge you need to create an outstanding piece of research.

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Translation Studies MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

At the UCL Centre for Translation Studies (CenTraS), we enjoy an international reputation for the quality of our research and teaching in a wide range of translation and interpreting-related subjects, as well as translation technology.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

• Entry requirements

A Master’s degree with Merit (ideally Distinction) in translation studies, in a language and culture subject or other relevant field from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Admission is dependent on the submission of a detailed research project proposal and applicants must have the agreement of their potential supervisor before submitting a formal application.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Research proposals which engage with theoretical, linguistic and technical aspects of translation and interpreting are welcomed. Examples of current research projects undertaken by PhD students in Translation Studies include the translation of humour in video games, the subtitling of gender stereotypes, translating British and American science fiction, exploring the notion of reflexivity in translation, and translating political speeches.

How to apply:

As a first step, please complete the Online Enquiry Form, which will be considered at our next regular PhD supervisors meeting. PhD places are tightly limited and we are only able to encourage those with outstanding research proposals to move ahead to a formal application to UCL. Please therefore take care to present a fully developed 500-word summary of your project as part of this enquiry. Further information on writing research proposals can be found in the ' Need to Know ' box on our Postgraduate Research page. Please do not apply formally to UCL until you have received a response regarding your initial enquiry.

Who this course is for

This MPhil/PhD is for applicants with a strong interest in conducting multi-disciplinary research, who may have completed post-graduate training or study and want to develop an advanced critical analysis in a specific translation research area. The programme is for applicants with a background or interest in translation theory and history; audio visual translation; literary translation and performance; translation technology; languages and interpreting. It is suitable for both recent Masters graduates as well as early or mid-career professionals.

What this course will give you

Located in the heart of multicultural London, UCL provides a uniquely rich environment for researching translation and interpreting in all its facets. Doctoral students can draw on a broad and diverse range of expertise from the Centre for Translation Studies (CenTraS), the Centre for Multidisciplinary and Intercultural Inquiry (CMII) and the School of European Languages, Culture and Society (SELCS).

Students are supported by a dynamic research culture, a stimulating environment and excellent opportunities for research training. UCL runs numerous seminar series and guest lectures, and researchers have access to state-of-the-art translation technology as well as world-class libraries, including those at UCL itself, the British Library, the School of Advanced Study, and the School of Oriental and African Studies.

The foundation of your career

The programme provides students with a range of professional and academic skills that will enable them to pursue careers in translation, higher education, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, international bodies, and other institutions around the world.

Recent PhD graduates have gone on to pursue postdoctoral study, have obtained lectureships in translation studies at reputable universities in the UK and abroad (Australia, Italy, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan), and have joined companies such as British Telecom, Expedia and Paramount.

Employability

With the research training and experience gained during the PhD, students are excellently placed to pursue a career in the fields of academia and professional translating and interpreting.

Translation PhD students will acquire extensive transferable skills, including the ability to analyse and process vast amounts of data, to teach courses in their field of expertise, to present research to small and large audiences, to network with diverse groups. This ample and highly adaptable skill base gives students an unparalleled edge and employment opportunities.  

UCL is extremely well positioned to offer students opportunities for networking and to establish academic and professional contacts. Supervision and mentorship is available from world-leading researchers, with 83% of SELCS-CMII research activity being graded 4* ‘world leading’ and 3* ‘internationally excellent’ in the REF 2021.

PhD students are actively involved in attending and organising seminar series and guest lectures, and have the opportunity to liaise with world-renowned scholars and experts in the field of translation and interpreting. Students have opportunities to engage in numerous projects involving research such as Global Health and Crisis Translation, Audio-visual Translation, as well as translation technology and theory.

Teaching and learning

Research students undertake relevant induction sessions and can take advantage of the Doctoral Skills Development Programme. PhD students meet regularly in term time with their supervisors and may be offered opportunities to gain valuable teaching experience and participate in reading groups and conferences.

To successfully upgrade to a PhD you are required to submit a piece of writing (this is usually based on one chapter from your thesis and a chapter plan for the remainder). You are also required to present and answer questions about this work to a panel consisting of your subsidiary supervisor and another member of the Faculty who acts as an independent assessor.

PhD students should treat their research programme as a full-time job, which equates roughly to 35 hours per week, or 15 hours for Part-time students. Students agree to a timetable of regular meetings with the Principal Supervisor to effectively manage the progression of project aims. This is flexible, at some points it may be necessary to meet more or less often.

Full-time students can expect to meet supervisors every two weeks during the academic year, and part-time students every four weeks. If a student has external funding, they should also ensure they meet the Terms & Conditions of the funder.

Research areas and structure

UCL offers expertise in translation technology, audiovisual translation, localisation, literary and theatre translation, history of translation, translator and interpreting training, technical and scientific translation, translation and accessibility to the media, translation theory.

Research environment

Research students are encouraged to participate in research seminars and networks across and outside SELCS-CMII. Students contribute significantly to the research environment through the organisation of annual conferences, and participation in seminars and online journals. 

Our Transcluster, a suite of 60 IT stations, is equipped with cutting-edge eye-tracking equipment and programmes, developed specifically for CenTraS staff and research students. Students can access special collections at UCL and other world-class libraries (Senate House and British Library) within walking distance of campus. As well as access to research support in the form of academic skills courses, student-led workshops and reading groups.

The length of registration for the research degree programmes is usually three years for full-time and five years for part-time. You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 9-18 months after initial registration.

Upon successful completion of your approved period of registration you may register as a completing research student (CRS) while you write up your thesis

In the first year, you will be required to take part in a mandatory Skills Seminar Programme. You are expected to agree with your supervisor the basic structure of your research project, an appropriate research method and a realistic plan of work. You will produce and submit a detailed outline of your proposed research to your supervisor for their comments and feedback and be given the opportunity to present your research to UCL academic staff and fellow PhD students

In the second year, you will be expected to upgrade from MPhil to a PhD. To successfully upgrade to a PhD you are required to submit a piece of writing (this is usually based on one chapter from your thesis and a chapter plan for the remainder). You are also required to present and answer questions about this work to a panel consisting of your subsidiary supervisor and another member of the Faculty who acts as an independent assessor.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

Additional costs may include expenses such as books, stationery, printing or photocopying, and conference registration fees.

The department strives to keep additional costs low. Books and journal articles are usually available via the UCL library (hard copies or via e-journal subscriptions).

The wealth of departmental seminars / colloquiums / symposiums and student organised work in progress sessions give ample opportunities to present research, receive feedback and participate in discussion.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

For more details about departmental funding available to postgraduate research students in the department, please refer to our Funding, Scholarships and Prizes (Research) webpage .

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

Quirk PhD Scholarship

Deadline: 26 January 2024 Value: Fees and maintenance (3yrs) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: UK

All applicants must identify and contact potential supervisors before making their application. For more information see our ' Need to Know ' page.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Got questions get in touch.

Centre for Multidisciplinary and Intercultural Inquiry

[email protected]

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students .

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Applying to a PhD with a poor undergraduate transcript (UK)

I had a lot of issues around my mental health and other problems during my undergraduate degree. As a result, I just about scraped a 2.1, and my transcript looks horrendous (I was originally on a 4 year course but had to downgrade at the last minute to avoid failing)

I went on to do a master's (thankfully I had an offer that was only conditional on me getting a 2.1). I was much healthier and got a distinction overall, as well as on every module.

I'm now applying to PhDs and am worried that my terrible undergrad marks are going to follow me around and ruin my chances. Should I mention them at all in my personal statement, or should I just leave it? I have a good master's, a good proposal, and good references. Any advice would be greatly appreciated- I'm so annoyed with my past self, but think I have proven that I can do better and am ready for a PhD.

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Speaker 1: Hello, dear viewer. Welcome to LaTeX for Scientists. I'm Dr. Sally, and this is the first part of my first ever Skills for Scientists series. If you've seen or heard people talking about LaTeX before, but you're not sure if you should learn it, this is the video for you. The short answer to that question is yes. Yes, you should. Absolutely. 100%. As a side note, if you're wondering why it's pronounced La-tech and not La-tex, it's because the X represents the Greek letter Chi, or He, and not the Latin script X. During my PhD, I learned a lot of little tips, tricks, and helpful shortcuts that I can now share with you, and hopefully by the end of this series you're going to love LaTeX as much as I do. Whenever I talk to students, the first thing they always ask me about LaTeX is, can't I just use Word? And I always tell them of course you can, but future you is going to hate you for it. It's definitely hard to see the point of learning LaTeX when you're an undergraduate. I mean, you can easily do your lab reports in Word, but when it comes to writing a 60-page dissertation, or even worse, a 200-page thesis, it's a lot easier to do it in LaTeX. The only problem is that if you leave it until that point to start learning, that's a whole pile of extra stress that you really don't need at that point. The learning curve isn't actually very steep, so why not learn it earlier and give yourself plenty of time to practice? After that, they usually give me a dubious look and say, but LaTeX looks so complicated. And I actually do agree with them. It does look complicated, but once you get started, it's actually a lot easier than you think. The biggest time investment is really in making your templates look good, but then once you have them, you can just reuse them as often as you like. This is especially great if you're an undergrad and you want to use it to write your lab reports with. For most PhD students in STEM, there are only two real reasons why you might still be using Word. One, you're submitting articles to journals that are stuck in the 90s. Or two, your supervisor never learned LaTeX, because they too are stuck in the 90s. Even though Word has caught up a little bit in the last few years, it's not really made for us. LaTeX is still objectively a million times better for people in STEM. It's more powerful, it's flexible, it produces much smaller documents but they still look clean and crispy and beautiful, and it takes much less effort on your part once you know how to use it. Still not convinced? Let's take a quick look at just some of the best reasons to use it. No distractions. You can just focus on writing your thesis without having to fiddle with all the formatting every 5 minutes, especially because you just added another figure and then suddenly everything is broken. Tracking stuff. It automatically tracks figures and tables and equations, so you can insert stuff wherever you want to, and it tracks and updates the numbering for you, so you don't have to worry about it. Easy formatting. You can change the formatting of the entire document just by tweaking a couple of commands. And if you don't like it, you can just change it to something else just as easily. Problem solving and portability. It's open source, so not only is everything free, but if you've got a problem I guarantee you that someone's already had it solved for them on the internet. And if you have to switch between different operating systems, which you usually do as a scientist, everything still works. Equations. If you have to use any kind of math or any complex non-Latin scripts on your work, it makes your life considerably easier. References. You don't have to waste hours fiddling with your bibliography. All the entries are formatted to whatever system you tell it to use, and many journals already provide bibliography entries for papers on their websites, so you don't actually have to fill in the data yourself or use any intermediate software unless you really want to. Templates. Most journals these days provide LaTeX templates for you to use, and most universities will also give you dissertation or thesis templates. As an added bonus, if you use the online platform Overleaf, you don't have to worry about saving your files, installing packages, or compiling. All of that stuff is handled for you behind the scenes, which makes it absolutely ideal for beginners. It also lets you work collaboratively, which is handy if you're writing papers or you need to get some feedback from your PI. Since it's so convenient, and free, I'll be using Overleaf for the rest of this series, so you can work along with me. For all of the videos on my channel, you'll find corresponding written resources and other free content on my website, so check out soswriting.co.uk. If I've managed to convince you of the virtues of LaTeX, don't forget to subscribe to the channel. In the next episode, we're going to do a quick start guide to help get you rolling. If you've struggled with LaTeX before, or if you're a bit nervous about starting, leave a comment down below and tell me what you'd like help with. I always try to read the comments, and I'll either incorporate your questions into the upcoming videos, or I'll do a quick Q&A session. So all that's left for me to say is thank you so much for watching, and I'll see you on the next one.

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James Earl Jones, renowned actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93

American actor James Earl Jones, an imposing stage and screen presence who overcame a childhood stutter to develop a stentorian voice recognized the world over as intergalactic villain Darth Vader, died on Monday at the age of 93.