Admissions

Official Documents for International Applicants

In general, Portland State University requires official academic documents issued by the home institution or testing body. Official documents should be issued in the original language, stamped and sealed by the registrar or records official at the school/university/testing body. Transcripts attested by third party organizations (such as study abroad programs) or credential evaluation services do not meet the official document requirement.

Portland State independently verifies the authenticity of official documents submitted as part of a student’s application for admission. If the college/university charges a fee for credential verification, the student is responsible for paying the fee. Please note that admission decisions may be delayed as a result of the verification process.

Official Documents by Country

China

Secondary School:

  • Official transcripts issued by secondary school in Chinese with English translation. Documents should be stamped by school records official and placed in a sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official.
  • Graduation Certificate issued by secondary school in Chinese with English translation. Documents should be stamped by school records official and placed in a sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official.
  • Notarized documents DO NOT meet the official document requirement.
  • Students graduating from IB schools should have an official copy of their IB diploma sent directly to Portland State from International Baccalaureate.
  • Students attending United Kingdom System see below.

College, Technical Institute, and University:

  • Official transcripts issued by school in Chinese with English translation, stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official
  • Official graduation and degree certificates issued by school in Chinese with English translation, stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official.
  • Notarized documents DO NOT meet the official document requirement

Saudi Arabia

Secondary School:

  • Official General Secondary Education Transcript issued/attested by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education and placed in sealed envelope. Transcript and envelope should have Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education Stamps.
  • Official Certificate of Secondary Completion (Shahadat Al-Marhalat Al-Thanawiyyat) issued/attested by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education and placed in sealed envelope. Transcript and envelope should have Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education Stamps
  • Students graduating from IB schools should have an official copy of your IB diploma sent directly to Portland State from International Baccalaureate.
  • Students attending U.K. System secondary schools see below.

College, Technical Institute, and University:

  • Official transcripts issued by the school stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official
  • Official degree certificates issued by the school stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official.

India

Secondary School:

  • Year X and year XII exam scores/certificates sent directly from Central Board of Secondary Education(CBSE), Council for Indian School Certificate (CISCE), or State Board of Secondary/Higher Secondary Education. Marks and Certificates should arrive in a sealed envelope both of which are stamped by the CBSE, CISCE, or State Board of Secondary/Higher Secondary Education
  • Year X and XII marks attested by a secondary school DO NOT meet the official document requirement.
  • Students graduating IB schools should have an official copy of your IB diploma sent directly to Portland State from International Baccalaureate.
  • Students attending U.K. System secondary schools see below.

College/University/Deemed University:

  • Complete Semester Marksheets issued by/attested by affiliated university, autonomous college, or deemed university. Marksheets should be stamped by records official and placed sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped with university or autonomous college stamps.
  • Consolidated Marksheets and transcripts issued for overseas institutions DO NOT meet the official document requirement.
  • Marksheets issued by non-autonomous colleges DO NOT meet this requirement
  • Final Degree Certificates issued by/attested the Awarding/Affiliated University or Deemed University. Degree certificates should be stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by university.
  • Degree certificates issued by or attested by autonomous colleges or non-autonomous colleges DO NOT meet the official document requirement.

Kuwait

Secondary School:

  • Official General Secondary Education Certificate (Shahadat Al-Thanawiya Al A’ama) issued by Kuwait Ministry of Education. Documents should be stamped by Kuwait Ministry of Education and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by Kuwait Ministry of Education.
  • Students graduating IB schools should have an official copy of your IB diploma sent directly to Portland State from International Baccalaureate.
  • Students attending U.K. System secondary schools see below.

College/Technical Institute/University:

  • Official transcripts issued by the school stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official
  • Official degree certificates issued by the school stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official.

Japan

Secondary School:

  • Official transcripts issued by school in Japanese with English translation. Documents should be stamped by school records official placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official.
  • Official Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shosho) issued by school in Japanese with English translation. Documents should be stamped by school records official placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official.
  • Students graduating IB schools should have an official copy of their IB diploma sent directly to Portland State from International Baccalaureate.
  • Students attending U.K. System secondary schools see below.

College/Institute/University:

  • Official transcripts issued by school in Japanese with English translation, stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official
  • Official degree certificates issued by school in Japanese with English translation, stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official.

South Korea

Secondary School:

  • Official transcripts issued by school in Korean with English translation, stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official
  • Official High School Certificate (Inmungye Kodung Hakkyo/Silop Kodung Hakkyo) issued by school in Korean with English translation,stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official.
  • Students graduating IB schools should have an official copy of your IB diploma sent directly to Portland State from International Baccalaureate.
  • Students attending U.K. System secondary schools see below.

University/College/Institute:

  • Official transcripts issued by school in Korean with English translation, stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official
  • Official degree certificates issued by school in Korean with English translation, stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official.

United Kingdom and U.K. System Schools

  • IGCSE/GSE score reports (O,AS,A Levels) must be sent directly to Portland State from the testing body validating the awards. Please contact the testing service to order certificates and send them directly to PSU. Examples include (but not limited to):
    • University of Cambridge (IGCSE)
    • Pearson/EdExcel
    • AQA
    • QFAL
  • Score reports attested by secondary schools DO NOT meet the official document policy

Post-Secondary Qualifications:

  • Post Secondary qualifications not awarded through UK universities: official score reports and qualification certificates must come directly from the Issuing body. Please contact testing service to order certificates/scores and send them directly to PSU. Examples include (but not limited to):
    • Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
    • BTEC/PEARSON/EDEXCEL
    • City and Guilds
  • Qualification results and certificates attested by colleges or institutes DO NOT meet the official document requirement
  • Transcripts and degree certificates from U.K. Universities must be sent directly from the U.K. University of record.
    • Official transcripts issued by the University stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official
    • Official degree certificates issued by the University stamped by records official and placed in sealed envelope. Envelope should be stamped by school official.

For specific requests or for information about educational systems not included on this list contact intladm@pdx.edu.