How to Have Your Degree Translated Online

Created: Jan 23, 2024 | Updated: Sep 30, 2024

Translating your academic degree can open doors to international opportunities. Whether for employment, immigration, or further education, a well-translated degree ensures your qualifications are recognized worldwide. This article guides you through the process of foreign degree translation and highlights the importance of certified translation of your degree.

Why Should I Translate my Degree?

A degree is a certificate you get from a college or university after you finish a course of study. It shows you have learned a lot about a certain subject. For example, you can get a degree in things like science, arts, or engineering. It usually takes a few years of studying at a college or university to earn a degree. Getting a degree can help you get better job opportunities and learn more about a topic you are interested in.

Translating your academic degree will only be a discussion when you're seeking opportunities in a country where your original degree language isn't widely understood. For instance, if your degree is in French, and you're applying for a job or further education in an English-speaking country and vice versa, you will need to translate your degree to English. This translation is vital for both academic and professional recognition, ensuring that the qualifications you've earned are properly understood and valued. A well-translated degree is essential for your academic and professional pursuits, as it accurately represents your achievements and educational background. There is also the obvious reason that someone who does not speak your language or understand it, won't be able to read what your academic documents are saying to begin with, so to bridge the gap, you need to have your degree translated!

Implications of not Translating Your Academic Documents

If you don't translate your academic documents, there can be some problems. First, if you want to study or work in a country where people speak a different language, they might not understand your documents. This means they won't know how good your grades are or what you have studied.
Following the French citizen to English-speaking country example, we gave earlier, if you want to work in the United States, the people in the U.S. might not understand French. So, they can't read your degree and won't know if you are qualified for the job or the university course you're applying for.
Not translating your documents can also slow down your application process. Schools or companies might ask you to go back and get your documents translated, which takes time. In some cases, not having translated documents might even make you miss out on opportunities, like a job or a place in a university, because others who have their documents ready in the right language might get picked first.

Translation Requirements for Degrees

When you need to translate your degree, there are some important things you need to look out for, even as the one requesting the translation, so that you don’t get into a back-and-forth situation. These are the rules and special requests for making your degree understood in another language.

Specific Guidelines and Preferences for Degree Translation
Every place that asks for your translated degree might have its own rules. Some might want a simple translation, while others might ask for a "certified translation”. This means a professional translator says they did the translation right. Sometimes, they might even want the translation in a specific format or style. So, it's important to know these details before you start.

If you're not sure about what is needed, you should talk to the place that's asking for your translated degree. Here’s how to do it:

Find their Contact Information: Look for their email, phone number, or contact form on their website.
Ask Clear Questions: Write or call them to ask what kind of translation they need.
Write Down the Details: Make sure to note down everything they say, like if they need a certified translation or any special format.

What Situations Will Require me to Translate my Degree?

Different situations need your degree translated in different ways. Here are some examples:

For an Employment Visa: If you're getting a job in another country, they might want to see your degree in their language. They might ask for a certified translation to make sure it's accurate.
USCIS Immigration Purposes: If you're moving to the U.S., the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) often needs a certified translation of your degree. They use this to check your educational background.
Permanent Residency or Citizenship Requests: When you apply to live in a new country permanently or become a citizen, they often want to see your educational documents. This could include a translated degree, especially if the original is not in the country's main language.

There are other situations too, like studying abroad or getting a professional license in another country. Each of these might have different rules for how your degree needs to be translated.

Translate your degree for University application

Academic Documents That may Need Translation

Degree Certificates: Your degrees show that you graduated. You might need them translated when you apply for a job or want to study in another country.
Transcript: This is a detailed record of your grades and courses. If you're applying to a foreign university or for a scholarship, they'll probably ask for your transcript in their language.
Diplomas: Similar to degree certificates, a diploma is often given after finishing high school, a vocational training program, or a specific course at a college or university. Sometimes jobs or schools in other countries ask to see this in their language.
Research Papers or Thesis: If you did a big project or research and you want to share it in another country, translating it can be important.
Language Proficiency Certificates: If you've taken a language test (like IELTS, TOEFL, or DELF) and you're moving to a country where that language is spoken, you might need to translate the certificate, especially if it's in a different language.
Internship Certificates: These show your practical work experience. If you did an internship and the certificate isn't in the language of the country where you're applying for a job or further studies, you'll need to translate it.

Struggles in Academic Translation

Subject/Courses Variations: Different countries have different names and structures for courses and subjects. This variation can make it challenging to find equivalent terms in the target language. However, the translator is responsible for accurately translating each course and subject to make sense to the receiving country.
Grading System: Different countries use different grading systems. Translating grades accurately while reflecting their value in the target country's system can be a bit challenging, but not to worry, as long as your translator knows what they are doing, this won't be an issue. There are also bodies like WES, that can help to convert your grades to the equivalent grade of the receiving country, and then depending on what language it was before translation (WES only accepts academic documents in English), you may need to translate the documents, before submitting them to WES or after receiving them from WES, before giving them to the authority that requested them.

How to Translate a Foreign University Degree into English?

To translate a foreign degree, you can use translation services online. These services offer professional translation by experts who understand the nuances of academic document translation. They ensure your degree is accurately translated and meets the standards required by employers or educational institutions. To translate your degree online with Translayte, follow the simple steps below:

Visit the Translayte website.
Request a free quote and select your preferred turnaround time.
Upload your degree in PDF, Docx., JPG, or any other supported format.
Sit back, and expect your translated degree by email or by post, on or before the stipulated delivery time frame.

It’s that easy! Give it a try now.

Furthermore, depending on what country you are from & what the university/institution that is requesting your documents needs, additional procedures like legalization, notarization or getting an Apostille might be required for your academic document to be recognized. Legalization may come in the form of getting an Apostille or meeting the issuing authority of the document for a stamp/seal/signature. While notarizations are done by notary publics, to authenticate the signatures of the authority who signed your degree. Translayte offers an easy-to-order Apostille and notarization service for translations that need it, all you just have to do is select the option you need just before you place your order.

What do you Need to Know When Reviewing Your Translated Document?

Crucial Details in the Translation: Your translated document should accurately reflect all the details from the original, including your name, the degree awarded, and the date of issuance.
Official Certification or Statement of Accuracy: Request an official certification or statement of accuracy from the translation service. This adds authenticity to your translated degree.
Legibility and Clarity: Ensure the translated document is clear and legible. This is important for easy verification of your credentials.

FAQs

How Much Does a Sworn Translation of a University Degree Cost?

The cost varies based on the length of the document and the language. It's best to get quotes from several foreign degree translation services. Here at Translayte, the cost of getting sworn translation for your university degree begins at $27.50/page

How do I get a Certified Translation of my University Degree?

Contact a translation service that offers certified translations. Provide them with a clear copy of your degree certificate and specify any requirements you have.