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Mundus Masterplan

Document guide

Certified translations

Official translations of documents not issued in an accepted language. Know whether you need certified, sworn or simple translations, and when.

What it is

A translation of an official document (transcript, diploma, residence certificate) into English or another accepted language, carried out or certified in a way the programme recognises.

  • Certified translation: a translator or agency signs and stamps a statement that the translation is accurate.
  • Sworn translation: a translator officially appointed by a court or ministry in a given country translates and seals the document. Some programmes or countries require this specifically (JMPMB, MER2030).
  • University-issued English version: many universities issue transcripts and diplomas in English directly, which often avoids translation.

Why programmes ask for it

Committees must read your records. Admission offices in some countries have legal rules about which translations they accept.

Who issues it

A certified or sworn translator, a translation agency, or your university (for official English versions). Some programmes accept translations validated by your previous institution (NANOMED asks for transcripts translated into English and validated by the previous institution for each year).

What it usually contains

The full translated text, the translator's statement, signature, stamp and contact details, and often a copy of the original attached.

How to prepare it

  1. First ask your university whether it issues official English versions.
  2. Check each programme's rule: whether certified translations are required (HYGIEIA, RESCO, SERP+, SPACEMED, which accept only certified translations), whether sworn translations are required, and whether some original languages are accepted without translation (QuARMEN accepts French, Italian and Portuguese originals).
  3. Check when. emiSS indicates sworn translations are generally needed only at pre-acceptance; AquaH asks for legalised documents after academic review.
  4. Upload the original and the translation together unless told otherwise.

Common mistakes

  • Paying for sworn translations at application when plain or certified ones are accepted until admission.
  • Translating only part of a document.
  • Translator's name on the translation not matching your name's spelling in the passport.

Quality-control checklist

  • Translation type (certified, sworn, university) matches the programme's rule.
  • Full document translated, including stamps and notes.
  • Original attached.
  • Names spelt as in your passport.

Lead time (planning estimate)

One to three weeks per batch; longer for sworn translators with long queues or for documents that also need legalisation.

Commonly useful or programme-dependent?

Conditional: only for documents not in an accepted language. Required translation type and timing are programme-dependent.