Definition · Plain-language
Transcript
An academic transcript is the official, institution-issued record of a student’s courses, grades and academic progress.
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What a transcript shows
A transcript lists, term by term, every course a student has enrolled in, the grade awarded, the credit hours each course carried, and the resulting term and cumulative grade point averages. It usually also records the degree or credential earned, any academic honours, and sometimes notations such as withdrawals or transfer credit. Because it draws together a student’s complete academic history in a standardised form, the transcript is the definitive evidence of what a student studied and how they performed.
Official versus unofficial transcripts
Institutions issue two versions. An official transcript bears the registrar’s seal or signature and is sent in a sealed envelope or through a secure electronic service directly to the recipient, so its authenticity cannot be doubted; receiving institutions and employers usually require this version. An unofficial transcript contains the same information but is provided to the student for personal reference and is not certified. Tampering with a transcript, or presenting an unofficial copy as official, is a serious matter of academic and professional integrity.
Who keeps and issues it
The institution’s registrar maintains transcripts and is responsible for issuing them on request, often for a fee. In the United States, access to a student’s education records, including the transcript, is governed by privacy law — notably the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) — which restricts disclosure without the student’s consent. Students typically request transcripts when transferring institutions, applying for postgraduate study, or providing proof of qualifications to an employer or professional body.
Key facts
At a glance
- Definition: The official record of courses taken and grades earned.
- Issued by: The institution’s registrar.
- Shows: Courses, grades, credit hours, GPA, credential earned.
- Official version: Sealed or sent directly to verify authenticity.
- Used for: Transfers, postgraduate admission, employment.
- US privacy law: Access governed by FERPA.
Common misconceptions
What people often get wrong
Often heard: A transcript only lists your final grades.
Actually: A transcript records each course, its credit hours and grade, plus term and cumulative GPA and the credential earned — a full academic history, not just final marks.
Often heard: An unofficial transcript is accepted anywhere an official one is.
Actually: Receiving institutions and employers usually require an official transcript, sealed or sent directly by the registrar. An unofficial copy is for personal reference and is not certified.
Often heard: Students can edit or update their own transcript.
Actually: Transcripts are maintained and issued solely by the registrar. Students may request them but cannot alter them; tampering is a serious integrity offence.
