Academic Transcript Translation.
Professional translation of university, college and other academic transcripts for SAQA evaluation, university admission, professional registration, employment and official use in South Africa and abroad.
A translation renders the academic record in another language. It is not a credential evaluation, and it does not change or convert your results.
Academic records we translate.
Premium Lingua translates the academic record itself, in the format your institution issued it. The record is prepared from the document supplied, with grades, credits and terminology carried across accurately.
- University academic transcripts
- College transcripts
- Statements of academic record
- Academic record extracts
- Subject and module lists
- Grade reports
- Credit records
- Examination results
- Final academic transcripts
- Foreign-language transcripts
- Accompanying qualification records where relevant
A transcript proves your academic record: the subjects, marks and credits. A degree or diploma certificate proves the qualification that was awarded. They are different documents, and where you need both translated, tell us so the quote covers the full set.
Send your transcriptWhat information is included in a transcript translation?
The translation reflects the information on the source transcript so that the receiving institution can read and compare it with the original. Depending on the record, this may include:
- Student name
- Institution
- Faculty or school
- Programme
- Qualification
- Subjects and modules
- Course codes
- Academic years and semesters
- Grades and marks
- Credits and credit hours
- Pass and fail indicators
- GPA or equivalent
- Classification where shown
- Examination dates
- Academic standing
- Institution stamps
- Registrar signatures
- Notes and legends
Grade systems, credit values and academic terminology are translated accurately, without changing or “converting” the academic result, unless the receiving authority specifically requires a separate credential evaluation. Translation and credential evaluation are different services.
Academic transcript translation for SAQA evaluation.
SAQA evaluates foreign qualifications in South Africa. Where the qualification is not from a country in which the language of learning and teaching is English, SAQA may require the graduation certificate and the transcript in the original language to be accompanied by a sworn English translation.
SAQA also asks applicants to submit the original-language documents together with the translations, not the translations on their own. So the translation is prepared to sit alongside the originals, page for page.
Premium Lingua provides the translation. It does not carry out the SAQA evaluation itself. Tell us that the documents are for SAQA when you request your quote so the translation is prepared in the form SAQA expects.
Sworn TranslationTranslation vs qualification evaluation.
Academic transcript translation
Renders the academic record into another language so the receiving institution can read it. The grades and credits are reproduced as they appear on the original.
Qualification evaluation
Determines how a foreign qualification compares within a recognised qualification framework. In South Africa this evaluation is carried out by SAQA.
If an institution or employer has asked for a SAQA evaluation, you will usually need both: the translated documents, and the evaluation based on them. Premium Lingua provides the translation.
Sworn TranslationTranscripts for university applications.
Undergraduate applications
An admissions office may ask for a translated transcript to assess prior study and entry requirements.
Postgraduate applications
Master’s and doctoral applications often turn on the detail in the transcript rather than the certificate alone.
International student applications
Institutions abroad frequently require a translated transcript alongside the qualification document.
Credit-transfer applications
Course codes, credits and credit hours must read clearly so credit can be assessed against the destination programme.
Exchange programmes
Exchange and study-abroad arrangements may require a translated record of results.
Scholarship applications
Scholarship panels may request a translated transcript to confirm academic standing.
Where the destination university has published its document requirements, send them with your enquiry so the translation is prepared to match.
Transcripts for professional registration.
A professional regulator often needs to see the subjects studied, the credits, any clinical or practical components, and the academic results, rather than only the fact that a qualification was awarded. For registration purposes the transcript can matter more than the degree certificate on its own.
Where you also need the qualification document translated, tell us: dedicated pages for degree certificate translation, professional qualification certificate translation and certificate of good standing translation are being added, and in the meantime we can quote the full set together.
South African academic documents for use abroad.
DIRCO treats South African educational documents differently from ordinary civic documents. For overseas legalisation, the verification authority depends on the qualification: SAQA for completed tertiary qualifications, Umalusi for relevant school qualifications, the QCTO for certain occupational and trade qualifications, and other education authorities for specified records.
Translation and verification or legalisation are separate processes. Depending on its rules, a foreign authority may require the academic transcript, the degree or diploma certificate, a verification, a translation, and possibly legalisation. Confirm the sequence with the authority receiving the documents.
Tell Premium Lingua where the translation will be used and which documents are involved, and we will prepare the translation to fit that process.
Academic transcript translation vs Apostille or legalisation.
Translation
Changes the language of the academic record so the receiving institution can read and compare it with the original.
Verification and legalisation
Confirms the authenticity or official status of the underlying educational document, or of a verification letter about it, for international use.
DIRCO does not simply authenticate original qualification certificates or diplomas. The appropriate education authority must first verify the qualification or document, and it is that verified record, or a verification letter, that then goes through legalisation where required. Confirm the requirements before submission.
Foreign transcripts for use in South Africa.
A foreign transcript is commonly submitted in South Africa for:
- SAQA evaluation
- South African university admission
- Professional registration
- Employment
- Recognition of a foreign qualification
Where the records are not in English, SAQA requires the original-language documents together with official English translations, where applicable. Send the complete transcript and tell us it is for a South African process, and whether SAQA is involved.
Sworn TranslationGrades, credits and academic terminology.
Foreign transcripts can contain numeric grades, letter grades, honours classifications, ECTS credits, credit hours, local grading scales, course abbreviations and academic status codes.
Premium Lingua translates this terminology faithfully. It does not invent an equivalent South African grade or restate results on a different scale, because that is the job of a credential evaluation, not a translation. If the transcript carries a grade legend or an explanatory key, the legend is translated too, so the reader can interpret the results correctly.
What should you send us?
- The complete academic transcript
- All pages
- The reverse side, if it carries a legend or grading scale
- The degree or diploma certificate, if it will also be translated
- The source language
- The language you need it translated into
- The receiving institution
- Whether the documents are for SAQA
- Any sworn or certified requirements
- Your deadline
Please send the complete transcript, including any grading legend or explanatory notes, so the translation can preserve the academic context correctly.
Send your transcript for a quoteNeed your academic transcript translated?
Upload the complete transcript, including any grading legend, and tell us where it will be submitted and whether it is for SAQA. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*)
