5.7 International Documents
The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) uses document assessment standards that are widely used throughout Canadian and American universities. The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) states that no official decision should be made on an individual's education record from an international institution until the type and quality of the study completed has been verified and the authenticity of all records in question has been established.
Obtaining and assessing official academic records from international institutions often presents special challenges. They are more difficult to evaluate because of the variety of languages and styles of documents. To assist evaluations, departments are requested to follow these guidelines.
- Obtain official copies of all transcripts (marksheets) and final degree certificates from post-secondary institutions in the original language and in English.
- Ensure that marksheets indicating grades obtained accompany degree certificates.
- For information on official documents, see "Checking/Verifying Transcripts and Marksheets".
Information on the submission of transcripts and supporting documents for international applications can be found on the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website (click here).
Institutions in the countries listed below regularly issue official documents in English. Therefore, marksheets and final degree certificates from these countries are not required in any other language than English.
Students from these countries may nevertheless require an English Language Proficiency exam. See Recognized English Language Countries and Institutions in the International Admissions Protocol section of our website. They list those countries and institutions recognized by the University of Alberta, in which the language of instruction is English.
| Afghanistan | Korea | Sri Lanka |
| Bahrain | Kuwait | Sudan |
| Bangladesh | Malaysia | Syria |
| Botswana | Nepal | Taiwan |
| Egypt | Nigeria | Tanzania |
| Ethiopia | Oman | Thailand |
| Ghana | Pakistan | Uganda |
| India | Philippines | United Arab Emirates |
| Iraq | Papua New Guinea | Yemen |
| Israel | Qatar | Zambia |
| Japan | Saudi Arabia | Zimbabwe |
| Jordan | Singapore | The Gambia |
| Kenya | South Africa |
GPS does not have the resources to maintain an 'in-house' translation service, nor to confirm the accuracy of translations which are other than 'literal' (as described below). If the translation received is not a literal rendering of the original, an evaluation may not be possible.
Certified English translations of original-language documents must be literal word-for-word translations presenting the same order and format as the original. No information may be left out, altered, or added. This means that all grades, comments, dates, and discussion must be included. The translation must convey the information and format of the original. If the applicant or another inappropriate individual or agency has prepared the translation, then the translation must be properly verified.
Applicants or departments wishing to have documents translated into English, or requiring verification of existing translations, can contact the following local sources for translations and verifications:
- Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta (ATIA)
- Qualified University of Alberta academic staff members
Staff must be fluently bilingual and willing to provide the service as required. A note from the department chair attesting to the individual's language skill should accompany the translation. A printed copy of the translator's name, affiliation, and the translator's signature should be attached.