In short
- UK ENIC asks for certified translations of documents not issued in English, but its free translation waiver covers French, not Greek or Albanian.
- WES asks for precise, word-for-word translations from your university or a certified translation service, in the same order as the original.
- A good academic translation keeps grades exactly as written: converting them is the evaluator's job, not the translator's.
- Before you order, check whether any document, such as the Diploma Supplement, was already issued in English.
If you studied in Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Kosovo or a French-speaking country, sooner or later someone in the UK or US will want to know what your degree is worth. Employers, universities and licensing boards usually rely on a credential evaluation, and the evaluator needs your documents in English.
This guide explains who evaluates foreign degrees, what each one accepts, which documents to translate, and what a good academic translation looks like.
Who checks a foreign degree?
In the UK, the national agency is UK ENIC, run by Ecctis. Its Statement of Comparability explains how your qualification compares with UK levels, to support a job or study application. UK ENIC says it does not comment on grades or the subjects you studied, and it has separate services for visas and nationality applications. Universities and professional regulators may also ask to see your documents directly, and some regulators set their own translation rules.
In the US, there is no single national agency. Universities, employers and licensing boards usually ask for a report from a credential evaluation service, such as World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). If a qualification goes into an immigration petition, USCIS needs a certified English translation of every foreign-language document.
What each one accepts
| Who | Translation needed? | Who can translate |
|---|---|---|
| UK ENIC | Yes, unless issued in English or the waiver applies | A professional translator |
| WES | Yes, precise and word for word | Your university or a certified translation service |
| ECE | Yes | You, word for word; waiver for some reports |
| USCIS | Yes, the full document | A translator who certifies accuracy and competence |
Two details are worth knowing before you pay for anything.
- UK ENIC's translation waiver. For a Statement of Comparability, UK ENIC lets you submit documents in their original language for the languages it covers. French is one of them, and the waiver is free for French. Greek and Albanian are not on its list, so those documents still need a certified translation.
- WES wants the same order. WES says the translated words must be in the exact order they appear in the original. It rejects translations that are not precise and word for word.
For USCIS, see our guide to USCIS translation requirements.
The documents you'll usually need
Most evaluators want two documents: the degree certificate and the transcript listing your courses and grades. Here is what they are called:
| Document | Greece | Albania | France |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree certificate | Πτυχίο | Diplomë | Diplôme |
| Transcript of grades | Αναλυτική Βαθμολογία | Listë notash | Relevé de notes |
| Diploma Supplement | Παράρτημα Διπλώματος | Suplementi i Diplomës | Supplément au diplôme |
| School leaving certificate | Απολυτήριο Λυκείου | Dëftesë pjekurie | Diplôme du baccalauréat |
Documents from Cyprus and Kosovo use similar names. If you finished your studies recently and haven't received the degree certificate yet, you may have a certificate of completion instead. Ask the evaluator whether it accepts one.
What a good academic translation looks like
Word for word, in the same order
An academic translation is not a summary or a description. Every line of the transcript is translated, in the same order and layout, so the evaluator can match each course and grade to the original.
Grades exactly as written
Greek universities grade out of 10 and French ones out of 20. A translator should copy the grade as it is, not convert it to a UK classification or a US grade point average. Grade descriptions are translated literally: the Greek Λίαν Καλώς becomes "Very Good", not "Upper Second". Converting grades is exactly what the evaluator is there to do.
Course titles as they are
Course and degree titles are translated literally rather than swapped for a UK or US equivalent. The evaluator decides what your degree compares to; the translation shows what it says.
Names, stamps and seals
Your name should be spelled as in your passport, so every document in your application matches. Our guide to Greek, Albanian and French names in English explains why. Stamps, seals, signatures and verification codes are part of the document and are noted in the translation too.
Check before you order
- Is anything already in English? Many universities issue the Diploma Supplement in English as well. UK ENIC only asks for translations of documents not issued in English by the institution, so you may not need to translate it.
- Which documents does the evaluator want? WES lists what it needs for each country or territory on a separate page. Check it first, because sometimes documents must come straight from your university.
- Do you need it for more than one purpose? A certified translation can usually be reused for an employer, a university and an evaluator, so one set may cover everything.
What it costs
Lexiveris charges a fixed price per page for academic documents: £15.88 or $30 a page, with the certificate of accuracy included. For example, a one-page degree certificate and a three-page transcript cost £63.52 or $120 in total. Express delivery within 24 hours adds 50%. You can price your documents online and see the total before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to translate my Diploma Supplement?
Only if the evaluator asks for it and it isn't already in English. Many Diploma Supplements are issued in English, or in both languages. If yours is, check with the evaluator before paying to translate it.
Will you convert my grades to the UK or US system?
No. A certified translation shows your grades exactly as they appear on the original. The evaluator, such as UK ENIC or WES, works out how they compare.
Does the translation need to be notarised?
Usually not. UK ENIC accepts certified translations from professional translators, and WES accepts translations from a certified translation service. See certified, notarised or sworn translation for the difference.
Can I use a Statement of Comparability for my visa?
UK ENIC says its Statement of Comparability is for job and study applications, and points visa applicants to its separate visas and nationality services. Check which one your route asks for before you apply.
Sources
- UK ENIC: Statement of Comparability
- UK ENIC: Translation Waiver Service
- WES: Do I need to translate my documents?
- ECE: frequently asked questions
- 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3): USCIS translation requirement
This article is general information based on published guidance as of 4 November 2026. It is not legal or immigration advice, and requirements can change. Always check the current requirements with the office handling your case. Lexiveris Translations provides translation services only and is not affiliated with any government agency.