Understanding the UCLA Unofficial Transcript: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the world of academic records can be confusing, especially when dealing with transcripts. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the UCLA unofficial transcript, its purpose, contents, and how it relates to official transcripts required for admission and other purposes.

What is an Academic Transcript?

An academic transcript is a comprehensive record of a student's academic performance at an educational institution. It includes vital information such as enrollment dates, courses taken, credits earned, grades received, and the institution's grading scale. It also indicates any degrees earned, changes of major, and removal of incomplete grades. At UCLA, a printed academic transcript presents course, unit, grade, and degree information on security paper, while an electronic academic transcript presents this information in a secure PDF file.

Contents of a UCLA Academic Transcript

Whether in paper or electronic format, a UCLA academic transcript contains essential details about a student's academic history:

Courses Taken: A list of all courses the student has enrolled in.
Transfer Credit: Any credits transferred from other institutions.
Units: The number of units associated with each course.
Grades: The grades received in each course.
Grade-Point Average (GPA): The student's cumulative GPA.
Earned UCLA Degrees: Any degrees earned at UCLA.
In-Progress Term Information: Courses the student is currently enrolled in during the term the transcript is requested.
Other Information: Additional information such as change of major or removal of an "I" (Incomplete) grade.

Official vs. Unofficial Transcripts

While the user prompt does not mention "unofficial transcript", it is important to understand the difference between official and unofficial transcripts. An official transcript is issued directly by the institution and bears the institution's official seal or authentication to prevent forgery. In contrast, an unofficial transcript is usually a copy or printout of the academic record that may be accessed by the student.

Paper Transcripts: Security Features

An official paper UCLA academic transcript is printed on security paper to safeguard against unauthorized duplication, alteration, and misrepresentation. The paper has a multicolor security background with a faint background design and a border with the words "University of California, Los Angeles." Authentication details are located in the lower right-hand corner of the transcript, and a legend is located on the reverse of the document.

Electronic Transcripts: Security Features

An official electronic (PDF) UCLA academic transcript includes a cover page with UCLA, student, and recipient information. Transcript pages have a background design (except those sent to LSAC) and identifying text in a border. Authentication details are located in the lower right-hand corner of the transcript. A legend page is also included.

Obtaining an Official UCLA Transcript

Official academic transcripts can be ordered online through MyUCLA. Transcript orders may not be faxed or sent electronically; these are not secure transmission methods and cannot safeguard personal data. Current students should order an official paper or digital PDF academic transcript through MyUCLA (UCLA Logon ID required). Noncurrent students without a UCLA Logon ID can order through Parchment (learner account required). Transcript orders submitted through Parchment may take a few days longer to process because student status must first be confirmed by UCLA. Noncurrent students can also order through MyUCLA (after obtaining a UCLA Logon ID, if needed). After ordering a digital PDF transcript, the recipient is sent instructions on how to access it through a secure site. Once accessed, the recipient has 24 hours to save the transcript file. Students who require an application attachment (such as AACOMAS, PharmCAS, SOPHAS, etc.) must upload the attachment with their MyUCLA or Parchment order. The student CAS application ID is required. A digital PDF transcript sent to AMCAS or LSAC does not require an attachment. The student LSAC or AMCAS ID is required. Certain students should order transcripts directly through their school. School of Dentistry students should submit an online request to the school. School of Medicine students should submit a document request to the school Student Affairs Office. UCLA Extension students should order from Parchment through the Extension portal. Summer students from another UC campus do not need to order a transcript. An official UCLA transcript showing summer work is sent automatically to the home UC campus by the middle of October.

Transcript-Related Fees and Payment

Most academic transcripts are available to UCLA students at no charge. Fees for services and expedited delivery, and special handling, appear on the order form. Complete details appear on the transcript-related fees page. Fees are subject to change at any time.

Submission of Transcripts for Newly Admitted Students

If you're admitted for the fall term, you must have final, official transcripts (high school and/or college) sent to the admissions office. You will be asked to submit official transcripts from all schools and colleges you have attended, including high school, regardless of your length of attendance or whether you believe the credit is transferable. The admissions office may make a preliminary evaluation of your application based on the information you provide on your application. However, if you are admitted, UC must receive an official academic record directly from each institution you attended, up to and including the school or college/university you currently attend. Because it may take some time for schools outside the United States to forward your records to UC, you are encouraged to have available legible photocopies of your official foreign academic records. Do not send transcripts at the time of application. After you submit your application, be prepared to submit a PDF copy of the records upon request. UC recognizes that it may be difficult to obtain foreign records in the event of political upheaval or natural disaster. However, these situations are rare. Unless otherwise stated in your Admission Contract (which you can view on the MyApplication Status), the deadline for receipt of official transcripts is July 1, 2026. The deadline for test scores is July 15, 2026.

Specific Transcript Requirements

UCLA needs official transcripts from the following (as they pertain to you):

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Secondary School

Final official secondary school records (transcripts) must be sent from your school or appropriate authority. These transcripts must verify the marks/grades you reported on your application and confirm secondary school completion or date of graduation.

If your secondary school transcript doesn’t contain a graduation date, please submit, in addition to your transcript, a true copy of your graduation certificate or diploma certified by your school.

If your school does not issue an English version of your transcript, you must submit a copy in its original language as well as a certified English translation. Specially prepared English versions of French originals are not acceptable. Official academic records should show numerical grades.

If you attended a school system with external exams (IB, A-Levels, Indian Year XII, etc), please be sure to have your school include your predicted grades along with your transcripts.

If your school year finishes after July 1, please notify our office and submit your transcript as soon as it becomes available.

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Colleges or Universities

If you took courses at a college or university, submit official transcripts from those schools even if the work appears on your high school transcript.

The sooner you send us these transcripts, the more likely university credit will be applied to your record when you enroll at UCLA.

External Exams

British System Exams

GCSE/IGCSE/O-Levels, AS-Levels

You must request official Certifying Statements of Results from each examination board for all GCSE/IGCSE/O-Level and AS-Level exams. Certified true copies will not be accepted. Cambridge and Pearson results can also be sent electronically. See below for instructions.

UCLA does not award university credit for GCSE/IGCSE/O-level or AS-Level exams.

A-Levels/Pre-U

If you have already received your results for your A-Levels/Pre-U, submit them by July 1. If your results are pending and will become available in August, submit them before the end of August.

Certified copies provided by your secondary school are acceptable if they remain in a sealed school envelope, however, they cannot be utilized for university credit.

Options for Online Cambridge Submission

Official results can be confirmed via CIE Direct. Exam results transcribed onto your high school transcript will not be considered official.

India External Board Exams

If you indicated on your UC Application that you have completed India Year X and/or India Year XII exams, you must request that your official exam results be sent to our office. Your results must be sent directly from the examining board or your school may send us certified copies provided they remain in your school’s official envelope and are sealed by your school.

Other External Exams

If you have completed other external exams such as the French Baccalaureate, Abitur, New South Wales Higher Education Certificate, HKDSE, etc., you must request official exam results be sent to our office. Your results must be sent directly from the examining board, or your school may send us certified copies provided they remain in your school’s official envelope and are sealed by your school.

Please note: UCLA grants university credit for GCE and Singapore-Cambridge A-Level examinations with passing grades. To receive university credit for A-Level exams passed, you must submit a Certifying Statement of Results directly from the examining board.

AP or IB Scores

If you passed any Advanced Placement (AP) or higher-level International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, you must have the testing agency send the official results to UCLA to receive credit. Provided we receive your official results, credit from these exams should appear on your record sometime during your first term at UCLA.

AP Credit awarded at UCLA:

UCLA awards credit for AP exams with scores of 3 or higher. The credit you receive depends on the College/School your major belongs to:

The UCLA College
School of the Arts and Architecture
Samueli School of Engineering
Herb Alpert School of Music
School of Nursing
School of Theater, Film and Television

IB Credit awarded at UCLA:

UCLA awards college credit for most IB higher-level exams with scores of 5 or higher. (We don’t award college credit for standard-level exams.) The specific credit you receive depends on the College/School your major belongs to:

UCLA College
Majors in the Schools of Arts and Architecture, Engineering, Music, Nursing and Theater, Film and Television

Sending IGETC Forms

High school students who have taken courses at a California Community College (CCC) may receive IGETC certification from the CCC. IGETC is not an admission requirement but students who have completed IGETC may send proof of completion. UCLA does not accept partial IGETC for first-year students.

If you have obtained full IGETC, please review the following submission guidelines:

UCLA preferred method: your school may issue a notation on your official transcript instead of a separate certification form. UCLA will accept the notation only if it clearly indicates the following: “Full UC IGETC Certification”.
OR If your school can only issue a separate IGETC certification form, we will accept this document.

General Academic Record Requirements

All academic records must show the dates of enrollment; the subjects or courses taken, together with the units of credit or time allotted to each subject and, if rank is determined, rank in the total class or group. The records must also include a complete description of the institution’s grading scale or other standard of evaluation.

Applicants who are notified of their official admission: Evidence of conferral of all degrees, diplomas, or professional titles must be submitted to the major department. This evidence may be in the form of officially certified copies of the actual diploma, or entries on official records or official statements from granting institutions. Certificates of completion of required courses, or of degree examinations, cannot be accepted as evidence that the degree was granted. Applicants should present a master’s degree awarded in first or high second class. Degree diplomas showing final class placement/grade and month and year of award. Photocopies of original documents must be properly certified by the registrar or attested by a judge or magistrate. Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall scholastic achievement of 80 on a 100 point scale. Records should include the official transcripts, university graduation certificate and the Ministry of Education degree certificate/diploma.

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