University Transcript charge

koppite79

Hello

Wonder if anyone knows anything about university charges for transcripts?

I need 2 copies of transcripts from my university, in sealed envelopes, and as I studied in 2 universities this amounts to 4 charges. Furthermore, one of my universities charges £15 for each copy! I feel this is extortionate charge that does not reflect the cost to the university. The other one only charges a fiver, which is probably about right and I have no problem with.

Anyone know if there is any way round this? I know it sounds a bit petty but after all those years of work it's rather galling to be charged so highly just to prove it, and here must be some sort of rules for how much universities can charge for some paper copies. It's not like I'm asking for gilt-edged copies of the degree certificate...

Fed up of being fleeced

Koppite

celyn90

I'm not sure how you can get round it, most universities will charge an admin fee (to find it, copy it, certify it and post it to you) I think £15 is about the going rate (certainly what mine charged at the time and what my current place charges now). My current uni will not provide copies after graduation - you have to request them at the same time as the degree certificate.

You could try asking your tutor if he/she can produce a transcript for you, or you could ask the central office really nicely and hope they will be understanding.

retireby50

£10 for first copy and £2 for each additional copy requested at the same time.

Just out of interest how do you know it doesn't reflect the cost to the university and why should it just be done at cost anyway?

[Deleted User]

Mine was £20 5 years ago - so that price seems quite reasonable to me.

koppite79

retireby50 wrote: »

£10 for first copy and £2 for each additional copy requested at the same time.

Just out of interest how do you know it doesn't reflect the cost to the university and why should it just be done at cost anyway?

1) Because I live on earth, and realise that 1 or 2 sheets of printed a4 posted in an envelope (or in fact left at the office, I live within a mile) does not cost anywhere near £15. It probably doesn't cost 15p.

2) My God. Why do you come here? Why?! Look at the top of your display, you will see you are on moneysavingexpert.com. Not payovertheodds.com. Or freemarketfleecethelittleguy.org. I'm not trying to get out of paying tax on my millions by living in Guernsey, or making money selling landmines. In the spirit of the website you are on, I feel strongly about paying such a high fee for such an inexpensive service, by a public institute that should be supporting me.

I'm trying to get a job, but finding £30 for 2 sheets of a4 in order to do this will really hurt my ability to eat. I paid my university fees, universities make enough money out of students and the government as it is, I don't even object to paying a nominal fee to ensure that the service isn't abused, but £15 is not a nominal fee and I feel unfairly treated by my own university.

As for other universities charging the same or more, thats true, but some charge much less, and 2 (or more) wrongs do not make a right.

I honestly do not understand the attitude of so many people who respond.

If there is no option but to pay it, then that is fine, and you are more than welcome to state this.
But questioning the morality of me not just stumping up like every other sheep, without at least asking why the fee is so high given that the cost is so low?
Honestly, again, why do you come here?

Koppite

MrsManda

To answer your initial question, if you want additional transcripts you are going to have to pay for them. There is no way around this. As you are presumably asking for transcript copies so that you can give them to prospective employers etc... you could ask if they'd accept a certified photocopy of the transcript you got with your degree. If this is the case I'm sure someone in your university admin office would be happy to stamp the photocopy to say it is an accurate copy. - Much like taking your passport to the bank to get a copy certified so you don't have to send the original through the post.

Otherwise you'll have to pay it. From the university's point of view it isn't simply a case of pressing print and you paying for the paper and ink. Rather they have to verify who you are, process payment, access your records, print, present and post. It may take them 20 minutes, it may take an hour per student. Either way there are thousands of students graduating, and if everyone wants additional transcripts the time to process all the requests will add up. Time=money.

DrScotsman

I wonder if you could somehow use a Subject Access Request to get one. This would mean it'd cost a statutory maximum of £10...but I doubt they'd stamp it for you then.

retireby50

koppite79 wrote: »

1) Because I live on earth, and realise that 1 or 2 sheets of printed a4 posted in an envelope (or in fact left at the office, I live within a mile) does not cost anywhere near £15. It probably doesn't cost 15p.

2) My God. Why do you come here? Why?! Look at the top of your display, you will see you are on moneysavingexpert.com. Not payovertheodds.com. Or freemarketfleecethelittleguy.org. I'm not trying to get out of paying tax on my millions by living in Guernsey, or making money selling landmines. In the spirit of the website you are on, I feel strongly about paying such a high fee for such an inexpensive service, by a public institute that should be supporting me.

I'm trying to get a job, but finding £30 for 2 sheets of a4 in order to do this will really hurt my ability to eat. I paid my university fees, universities make enough money out of students and the government as it is, I don't even object to paying a nominal fee to ensure that the service isn't abused, but £15 is not a nominal fee and I feel unfairly treated by my own university.

As for other universities charging the same or more, thats true, but some charge much less, and 2 (or more) wrongs do not make a right.

I honestly do not understand the attitude of so many people who respond.

If there is no option but to pay it, then that is fine, and you are more than welcome to state this.
But questioning the morality of me not just stumping up like every other sheep, without at least asking why the fee is so high given that the cost is so low?
Honestly, again, why do you come here?

Koppite

Whoa.....where did that come from?

I answer the first question in your post, and then ask a reasonable follow on question due to some sweeping statements you made and we get this in response. As MrsManda has usefully pointed out the main cost is time - you wouldn't expect a hairdresser just to charge for materials used.

Understanding costs surely helps in moneysaving and comments in your original post and subsequent tirade show that you don't. If you were to ever start a business it would certainly be useful if you understand that people are paid a salary plus on-costs and if they take time doing something it costs money. It would also give you a better idea when it's worth questioning what is being charged for a service and when it isn't (and whether you will have a chance of getting somewhere or not).

Universities are not public institutions. Only some of their income is from the government. They do not have shareholders - any surplus is used to re-invest in the university. Some will charge for transcripts, some will not. Those that do not will have less money to spend elsewhere (e.g. on books or teaching staff) or will achieve the same income by charging (more) for other things (e.g. student accommodation, food). Why should they support you after you have graduate - are you still paying them fees?

Could you also explain how what I said in my first response questions your morality in any possible way?

PS The cost of postage is greater than 15p.

bitsandpieces

Yes - it's expensive (costs vary between universities). And no, if your (prospective) employers insist on a transcript from the university in a sealed, stamped envelope, there's very unlikely to be any way around paying it. It's a pain (and can make job applications very expensive) but no easy way to avoid it. If you're job hunting, though, are you claiming JSA? - might be worth asking if the Jobcentre will refund the cost.

On the positive side, worth remembering that universities provide some job-related things at well below cost. E.g. you will often find that staff will spend time (and a little of the university's money) writing, printing and posting references without you paying a penny. Especially if you consider the cost of staff time, this is a valuable freebie

melancholly

ignoring the over the top rant, there isn't any way to avoid it. having had to prove 3 qualifications, i know how much it costs and you're lucky they only want transcripts and not certificates as well!

might be worth reading the 'please be nice to all moneysavers' posts by admin before lecturing others about what mse is about

Lil_Me_2

I think it's worth pointing out that at my Uni the transcripts come on very very nice thick paper/thin card and are in full colour, they are then sent out by recorded delivery only. They also all have to be requested specially from the Academic Registry so they can keep records etc. So it isn't a cheap process by any means, but the end product is nice! Worth seeing if you can keep a copy for yourself if you don't already have one.