Academic Record Translation Requirements and Steps
When applying through the Ministry of Education scholarship service, submit an official academic transcript authenticated by the institution that issued it. Internet-downloaded images without official authentication are not accepted. If the transcript is in a language other than Arabic or English, provide an English translation issued by the issuing institution or an accredited entity. This rule applies to the specified scholarship-service case; it does not mean that every Arabic or English transcript requires translation, nor does it guarantee acceptance by every university or country. Distinguish the academic transcript or grade report from the graduation document, admission letter, and equivalency certificate: each is a separate document, and translation does not replace equivalency of a previous qualification when equivalency is required. Prepare and upload the complete documents during registration, and confirm the pathway, university, and country requirements for language, electronic copies, any further authentication, or a special form before submitting. Do not begin study merely because an application was submitted, since submission does not guarantee scholarship placement or a seat.
- Official authenticated academic transcript
- Grade report, if separate from the academic transcript
- English translation of a transcript issued in a language other than Arabic or English
- Graduation certificate or completion statement, when requested
- Previous qualification, when required by the pathway
- Equivalency certificate, if the previous qualification is from outside Saudi Arabia and equivalency is required
- Official admission letter, depending on the pathway and stage
- Additional authentication or attestation documents specified by the receiving institution
Check the pathway and admission. Confirm the relevant pathway and admission from an accredited international university, because document requirements may vary by pathway and stage.
Complete the application through the platform. Sign in to Qabool, verify the information, enter contact and test details, and start the application as instructed.
Prepare and upload the documents during registration. Uploading the documents is part of the application, and the process cannot be completed without the complete documents during registration under the published instructions.
Attach the official authenticated transcript. It must be authenticated by the issuing institution; do not rely on an internet-downloaded image without official authentication.
Address the transcript language. If it is not in Arabic or English, attach an English translation from the issuing institution or an accredited entity. Do not assume that an Arabic or English transcript requires translation.
Provide equivalency when applicable. If the previous qualification is from outside Saudi Arabia, follow the Ministry’s pathway-specific equivalency requirement; equivalency is separate from transcript translation.
Follow review messages. Respond to verification officers when needed, since ignoring completion requests may lead to rejection. Do not begin study based on submission alone.
| Document type | Common use | Note |
|---|---|---|
Must every academic transcript be translated?
No universal requirement is established. The express requirement is an English translation when the transcript is in a language other than Arabic or English.
What language should I translate the transcript into?
For the specified scholarship-service case, the stated target language is English.
Is a translation into the destination country’s language sufficient?
That cannot be established generally. Confirm with the receiving institution and do not automatically substitute it for English.
Who may translate the transcript?
The issuing institution or an accredited entity, under the scholarship-service rule.
Does the Ministry publish a list of accredited translators?
The selected official materials do not show a single published roster of translators or entities.
Is an internet-downloaded image of the transcript sufficient?
No. Internet-downloaded images without official authentication are not accepted.
Must the transcript be authenticated?
Yes. The published rule requires an official transcript authenticated by the issuing institution.
Does translation replace authentication?
No. Translation and authentication are separate elements, and translation does not turn an unofficial copy into an official transcript.
Is transcript translation the same as qualification equivalency?
No. Equivalency is a separate procedure that may be required for a previous qualification issued outside Saudi Arabia.
Should I translate the graduation document as well?
The service addresses the graduation document separately and requires an English translation when it is not in Arabic or English. Check the specific pathway and application.
Can a translated graduation certificate replace the transcript?
No. The service treats the graduation document and academic transcript as separate documents.
Is there a universal validity period for the translation?
The sources do not establish a universal validity period. Check with the relevant authority rather than assuming one.
Are there uniform translation or application fees?
The selected materials do not state a uniform translation fee. Describing the application service as free does not make external translation services free.
Does uploading the translation guarantee acceptance or a seat?
No. Submitting the application does not guarantee scholarship placement or a seat.
Do all foreign universities accept a translation from an accredited entity?
There is no general guarantee that every foreign university will accept it. Confirm the receiving institution’s requirements before submitting.
This guide is for general information and is not legal or consular advice. Always verify current requirements with the receiving authority.