Certified translation service
Degree Translation Services
What are degree translation services and when do you need one?
Degree translation services produce a certified English translation of a foreign degree certificate, signed by a qualified translator, for UK universities, UK ENIC, UKVI, employers and overseas institutions that require the qualification in their working language.
How much do degree translation services cost in the UK?
Degree translation services in the UK start from £25 per single degree certificate, with academic transcripts and diploma supplements priced at £0.10–£0.20 per word depending on language pair and subject; same-day or weekend delivery adds a 30–50% surcharge.
How long does it take to get a degree certificate translated?
Certified degree certificate translation is delivered in 2–3 working days for both single-page certificates and multi-page transcripts; same-day and weekend delivery is available for urgent visa or admissions deadlines at a 30–50% surcharge.
How does the degree translation process work step by step?
The degree translation process runs in five steps: upload your document, receive a fixed quote, human translation by a qualified subject-matched linguist, second-linguist review under ISO 17100, and delivery of the signed certified translation with a certificate of accuracy.
Will my translated degree be accepted by UK universities, UK ENIC and UKVI?
A certified degree translation produced by a UK-registered translation company under ISO 17100, with a signed statement of truth confirming the translator's identity, name and address, is accepted by UK universities, UK ENIC, UKVI, HM Courts, employers and overseas ministries in line with GOV.UK certifying-a-document guidance.
Certified, notarised or apostilled — which degree translation do you actually need?
A certified degree translation is sufficient for UK universities, UK ENIC, UKVI and most UK employers; notarisation adds a notary public's confirmation of the translator's identity for some overseas authorities; an apostille is added by the FCDO when the receiving country is a Hague Convention signatory.
Certified translation of foreign degree certificates and academic transcripts for the UK market covers UK ENIC evaluations, UK university admissions, UKVI visa routes, employer HR checks and overseas ministries — produced in London under ISO 17100 with a signed certificate of accuracy.
What are degree translation services and when do you need one?
Degree translation services produce a certified English translation of a foreign degree certificate, signed by a qualified translator, for UK universities, UK ENIC, UKVI, employers and overseas institutions that require the qualification in their working language. Every certified translation carries a signed statement of truth on company letterhead and is produced by professional translators under ISO 17100.
What counts as a 'degree' for translation purposes?
A degree, for translation purposes, is any bachelor, master or doctoral award document — including the main certificate, the diploma supplement, the academic transcript and, where issued, the classification statement. Documents in scope include:
See our Diplomas page for the diploma-specific workflow.
When is a certified degree translation actually required?
A certified degree translation is required whenever a UK or overseas body makes an admission, employment, immigration or credential-evaluation decision on a foreign-language qualification. Common triggers include:
How much do degree translation services cost in the UK?
Degree translation services in the UK start from £25 per single degree certificate, with academic transcripts and diploma supplements priced at £0.10–£0.20 per word depending on language pair and subject. Same-day or weekend delivery adds a 30–50% surcharge.
| Document type | Price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Single degree certificate | From £25 per document | 2–3 working days |
| Academic transcript | £0.10–£0.20 per word | 2–3 working days |
| Diploma supplement | £0.10–£0.20 per word | 2–3 working days |
| Same-day / weekend expedite | +30–50% surcharge | Same working day |
What is the price for a single degree certificate?
A single foreign degree certificate is quoted at a fixed £25 per document when it fits the standard one-page personal-certificate format. The signed certificate of accuracy is included at no extra cost.
How are transcripts and diploma supplements priced?
Transcripts and diploma supplements are priced per word at £0.10–£0.20. A full academic transcript can run several thousand words of module titles, credits and grades that a single-document flat fee cannot fairly cover. The per-word rate keeps quality translations proportionate to actual content.
What drives the price of a certified degree translation up or down?
Four factors move the price:
- Language pair rarity.
- Subject-matter complexity and specialist terminology in the transcript.
- Document length beyond a standard certificate.
- Urgency — same-day and weekend delivery at a 30–50% surcharge.
How much should I pay for translation services in general?
For certified translation services in the UK, expect £0.10–£0.20 per word for longer texts and fixed per-document pricing for short personal certificates from £25. Prices well below this range often indicate unqualified translators whose work is rejected by UK ENIC and UKVI.
Get a quoteHow long does it take to get a degree certificate translated?
Certified degree certificate translation is delivered in 2–3 working days for both single-page certificates and multi-page transcripts. Same-day and weekend delivery is available for urgent visa or admissions deadlines at a 30–50% surcharge.
How fast can I get a certified degree translation for a UCAS or PG deadline?
Urgent certified degree translation can be issued the same working day when the document is uploaded before noon London time and a 30–50% expedite surcharge is agreed at quote stage. This urgent translation route suits UCAS clearing, late PG deadlines and short-notice UKVI submissions. Standard turnaround time remains 2–3 working days for non-urgent projects.
What documents do I need to send for a degree translation?
A clear scan or high-resolution photograph of the original degree certificate — and, where applicable, the academic transcript and diploma supplement — is enough to start. The original document does not have to be posted for the translation itself to be certified.
Are digital scans accepted, or do you need the original degree certificate?
Digital copies are accepted for the translation and certification stage. The original degree certificate is only required by the receiving body when they demand sight of the source alongside the translated document, such as some overseas ministries. Digital-first workflow does not lower certification validity.
How is the translated degree certificate delivered?
The translated degree is delivered as a PDF signed certified translation on company letterhead. A wet-ink stamped hardcopy is posted first class within the UK on request at no extra cost.
Will my translated degree be accepted by UK universities, UK ENIC and UKVI?
A certified degree translation produced by a UK-registered translation company under ISO 17100, with a signed statement of truth confirming the translator's identity, name and address, is accepted by UK universities, UK ENIC, UKVI, HM Courts, employers and overseas ministries. This aligns with GOV.UK certifying-a-document guidance from the UK government.
| Receiving body | What they accept |
|---|---|
| UK ENIC (formerly NARIC) | Certified English translation submitted with original-language documents |
| UK universities (admissions) | Certified translation on translator/company letterhead with signed accuracy statement |
| UKVI | Translator confirmation of accuracy, date, full name, signature, contact details |
| UK employers | Certified translation with certificate of accuracy for right-to-work and HR checks |
| Overseas ministries | Certified translation, often with notarisation or apostille |
| HM Courts | Certified translation with statement of truth |
The broader certification framework is set out on our Document Translation UK: Certified Services for Visas, Legal, Academic and Business Documents hub.
How is a degree translation accepted by UK ENIC?
UK ENIC accepts a certified English translation of the degree and academic transcript from an independent professional translator or ATC-member company. The translation is submitted alongside the original-language documents for the credential evaluation.
How is a degree translation accepted by UK universities for postgraduate admissions?
UK universities accept certified degree translations issued on translator or company letterhead with a signed accuracy statement. Some admissions offices additionally accept translations issued directly by the awarding institution in the foreign country. Universities and colleges routinely rely on this format for study in the UK.
How is a degree translation accepted by UKVI for Skilled Worker and Student visas?
UKVI accepts certified English translations that include:
Every element is included as standard on our certificate of accuracy for UK visa applications.
Do US credential evaluators like WES require a different format?
WES, ECE, IERF and IEE — each a NACES member serving American universities — require a certified English translation, with operational rules on originals and delivery route. Full details sit on our Academic Translation Services for UK Universities, Research and Credential Evaluation page for international education routes.
Certified, notarised or apostilled — which degree translation do you actually need?
A certified translation is sufficient for UK universities, UK ENIC, UKVI and most UK employers. Notarisation adds a notary public's confirmation of the translator's identity for some overseas authorities. An apostille is added by the FCDO when the receiving country is a Hague Convention signatory. The Certified Translation pillar covers the wider framework.
| Level of certification required | Use case |
|---|---|
| Certified | UK universities, UK ENIC, UKVI, UK employers, HM Courts |
| Notarised | Some overseas ministries and professional regulators |
| Apostilled | Hague Convention signatory countries requiring legalisation |
When is notarisation of a degree translation required?
Notarisation is required when the receiving overseas authority — typically a foreign ministry of education or professional regulator — asks for a notary public's signature confirming the translator swore to the accuracy statement. It does not replace the certified translation; it adds a witnessing layer.
When does a translated degree need an apostille?
A translated degree needs an apostille when the destination country is a Hague Convention signatory. Its authorities then require legalisation of the notarised translation before accepting it for employment, further study or professional registration.
Can I translate my own degree certificate?
You cannot translate your own degree certificate for official use in the UK. UK universities, UK ENIC and UKVI require an independent qualified translator, because a self-translation cannot include the impartial signed statement of truth that GOV.UK certifying-a-document guidance requires. An independent qualified translator is a linguist who is not related to the applicant and who holds recognised professional credentials — typically membership of the Chartered Institute of Linguists or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.
How do you translate Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees differently?
Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degree translations render the awarding institution's exact wording, keep original grade scales alongside a plain-English explanation, and translate thesis or dissertation titles without altering the classification, honours or Latin distinctions. Awarding wording — "cum laude", "avec mention", "с отличием", "第一級榮譽" — is preserved on the translated document.
How are grades and classifications rendered in a degree translation?
Grades and classifications are rendered in the original scale first, followed by a neutral explanatory note, so UK ENIC and admissions officers can map the qualification without the translator inventing an equivalence. Academic credentials keep their source-country meaning.
What happens with diploma supplements and transcripts in a degree translation?
Diploma supplements and transcripts are translated in full alongside the certificate, so the receiving body sees module titles, credits and grades in one certified pack. This is the format UK ENIC and WES prefer for academic certificates and educational documents.
Which languages do you translate degree certificates from and into?
We translate degree certificates across 150+ language pairs, covering every language routinely presented for UK admissions and UKVI applications. Common source languages for degree translation UK requests include:
How do I order a certified degree translation?
You order a certified degree translation in three steps: upload your document for a fixed quote, confirm the quote and turnaround, and receive the signed PDF plus optional wet-ink hardcopy.
- Upload your document via the quote form or email.
- Confirm the fixed price and 2–3 working day turnaround (or same-day expedite).
- Receive the signed PDF certificate translation; request wet-ink hardcopy on demand.
Contact our London office on +44 20 4569 1419 or visit Suite 544, Unit B, 63-66 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8LE, Monday to Saturday, 9:00–18:00, for any translation needs. Our language services team supports urgent university degree, transcript translation UK and diploma translations enquiries.
Common degree translation questions cover careers, pay and qualifications for translators themselves, alongside operational questions from buyers about acceptance, urgency and self-translation.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I pay for translation services?
Certified translation in the UK typically costs £0.10–£0.20 per word, depending on the language pair and subject matter. Single personal documents — such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, passports or ID cards — start from £25 per document. Standard turnaround is 2–3 working days; same-day or weekend delivery is available at a 30–50% surcharge. Every certified translation includes a signed certificate of accuracy at no extra cost. Large legal, technical or regulatory projects are quoted individually.
How to become a qualified translator in the UK?
Most professional translators in the UK hold a degree in languages, translation or a related field, and many go on to gain a postgraduate translation qualification. The Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) both offer recognised professional qualifications and membership grades that employers and agencies look for. Specialist knowledge — in law, medicine or finance, for example — is increasingly valued. Certified translation providers operating to ISO 17100 standards require translators to be qualified in their subject area and subject every job to a second-linguist review.
Need a certified translation today?
Send us your document and we will confirm the price and delivery date. No obligation.
Mon–Sat, 9:00 – 18:00 · Suite 544, Unit B, 63-66 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8LE