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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

Unable to get undergraduate transcript - is this normal now?

18 replies

fairlygoodmother · 25/04/2022 23:41

I am trying to apply for a Masters, so I need my undergraduate transcript - but my university is not currently processing requests for transcripts for people who graduated prior to 2004 because the office is doing a 'soft' reopening post covid. Does anyone have any insights into whether this is standard in UK higher education now, or is it as crazy as I think? They don't seem to be able to give me any indication of when I can order it.

I'm applying for a Masters in the US, they absolutely won't accept my application without the transcript.

Grateful for any advice or suggestions.

OP posts:

gavisconismyfriend · 26/04/2022 00:28

Absolutely not standard! Find out if the university has a complaints procedure and then use it. Failing that write to the University Secretary and point out how disappointing it is that the university seems to be actively preventing its graduates from going on to further study.

Xenia · 26/04/2022 08:28

Is there a chance you were sent it in 2004 and someone in your family saved it or it is in a old file somewhere? When my children have sent me theirs I have scanned it and saved it by year for my own records so if you have a similar record keeping type mother may be it still is there amongst her old papers from 2004 or a family member. You may have put it into the back of the envelope where you keep your 2004 degree certificate too just tucked behind it.

Xenia · 26/04/2022 08:29

You might be able to pressure them by saying you will make a data protection access request for it. I gave a talk in scotland years ago to a university there - all day on data protection law and they were very good at keeping records for very very long periods in case someone aged 90 made a request for their degree results from 70 years before. Also you could offer to pay their costs of hunting yours out urgently although that probably is not possible but could be worth checking with them a bit like you can pay extra to board a flight early or get a passport done quickly.

titchy · 26/04/2022 08:30

Not normal no - complain.

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 26/04/2022 08:33

My uni is the same due to records that old not being comprised and the archives not being back opened.

Do you actually need a transcript or would a proof of degree suffice? They may have access to old pass lists more easily to confirm you were awarded a degree, and your Dept could provide you with a marksheet which is an 'unofficial' breakdown of marks that can be used with an official confirmation of degree.

I've a feeling this could be my uni, if it's a London one PM me to see if I can help

Original poster

fairlygoodmother · 26/04/2022 16:19

@Matchingcollarandcuffs thank you for the offer, it's not your uni - Uni of Manchester. They have sent me a confirmation of award letter but I definitely need the full transcript.

@Xenia I have never had the transcript, never needed it before. A SAR request is a good idea, thank you!

Thanks to everyone else as well. I did understand the issue 18 months ago, but by now I think if they have information that isn't computerised, someone has to go and get it out of a filing cabinet.

OP posts:

EduCated · 26/04/2022 16:53

Stupid question, but have you been told that by an actual human? Wondering if it’s a webpage or out of office that hasn’t been updated!

poetryandwine · 27/04/2022 10:03

American universities absolutely require the full transcript as the School will want to analyse the modules taken and see the individual module marks.

In a university of Manchester’s calibre, this is shocking. @Xenia’s idea of making a data protection access request is excellent.

If they continue to argue that they are physically unable to comply, public complaints via Twitter, etc may well work. (Starting with a private complaint is probably a good idea.) This is a university that seems to bow to publicity - I am thinking primarily of a couple of instances during COVID when they acted in a very heavy-handed manner and only apologised/remediated after the situation blew up publicly. ‘The university seems to be preventing its students from (accessing) further study’ - nice phrasing, @gavisconismyfriend .

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 27/04/2022 10:07

Problem is many of us aren't allowed back in. So much rearranging of space has been done to enable face to face teaching safely (rightly) there is no longer the office space for us . .

Xenia · 27/04/2022 10:39

So if the record is only on a physical file surely a member of staff could come in to access that one file even if they had to squeeze by students to get to it now covid is ebbing.

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 27/04/2022 13:47

The files are held in different, secure buildings. Some unis have records going back 100s of years.

I'm not saying it's right I'm just explaining why it may not be happening. Some unis will even store their archives off site

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 27/04/2022 13:48

Plus it's not just one file , it's 100+ requests a week . . .

Original poster

fairlygoodmother · 27/04/2022 15:44

@Matchingcollarandcuffs I appreciate that insight. I am sympathetic to the issues to an extent but I meanwhile I and the other 100+ people a week making the requests are in limbo, so I will press them to do better.

At the very least I would like an idea of timescale so I can decide whether to spend the summer cramming my last prerequisite courses or not...

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice.

OP posts:

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 27/04/2022 16:50

(to be fair usstaff might like clarity as to our long term attendance plans so you complaining might make them hurry up and agree policy, it’s a sector wide issue and it’s barmy).

@fairlygoodmother I would contact the alumni or advancement office about the impact this is having on you and your application. They are more likely to be sympathetic and push on this than Student Services/Registry, especially as you will be one of many Alumni affected. And Alumni are an important source of income . . .

poetryandwine · 27/04/2022 17:53

@Matchingcollarandcuffs has a good idea in that the Alumni Office might be able to give you a steer.

I was wondering why 2004 was the cutoff year. Turns out the U of M was formed then by combining the Victoria U of M and UMIST. But you, OP, are making. an eminently reasonable request. The uni has had a long time to prepare for your request and the fact that they didn’t is not your problem.

PurpleRainbowSun · 27/04/2022 17:57

If you make a SAR request they will need to give you a record of your marks, but it doesn't require them to provide you with an official transcript.
I would definitely complain either way- and the Alumni office might be a good call.

burnoutbabe · 27/04/2022 18:00

I had to have my university confirm they didn't have a transcript for me (from 1994) but could confirm my degree and overall result.

Hillarious · 03/05/2022 12:27

It may be worth going to the US uni to let them know your problem. Such detail so far down the road becomes irrelevant, and if you didn't have the mark breakdown when you graduated, can you be sure it will be available now? I'm certainly not as fluent now in the language I did my degree in quite a time ago.

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