VTU Transcripts: FAQ Part - 2

There have been a lot of questions asked on my blog about the process of VTU Transcripts and how to get them through Post along with basic questions about what are transcripts and CMC's etc and University rules etc. I have tried to answer all the questions earlier and have decided to consolidate all the responses together in 2 FAQ blog posts so that people can refer to the same in case they have queries.

Related Posts:
Getting VTU Transcripts though Post
FAQ Part 1

FAQ Part 2:

9. Could you tell me what do they mention in Consolidated MC?
a. Is it your first attempt marks or second attempt marks?
b. What are the total marks mentioned?
c. And if they don't mention second attempt marks in CMC then what’s the difference between CMC and the original marks card which you got in your first attempt when you had a back?

Ans: A CMC is one single marks card containing all the marks from semester 1 to last. It will show the latest marks and not the backlogs. But there will be ** mentioned next to those marks and it will be mentioned somewhere that this is not your 1st attempt marks for the subject. Total is the addition of latest marks. But you do not get a rank which is left blank if u got a back in any subject.

10. Is VTU the new name for Bangalore University? "I completed my B.E degree in 1998 from Bangalore University. Can I use this process as well"?

Ans: VTU is not the new name of Bangalore University. VTU is a relatively new university and has superseded Bangalore University for Engineering and Technical courses. Bangalore University still exists for other courses. Having said that I am not sure where you will get your transcripts from. I remember in 2001, VTU gave an option to BU students with backlogs to finish all their exams in that year after which they would not have the option again to clear their backlogs under VTU.

I would suggest that you call the VTU number that I have mentioned in my blog entry and check with them. Else, you can contact the Bangalore University directly.

This seems to be their website: http://www.bub.ernet.in/

11. What is the difference between consolidated marks card and Transcripts. Both are a single sheet of paper showing all the semester marks right?

Ans: Let me start with a caveat here. I have seen a Transcript but have only heard about a CMC.

Technically a CMC and a transcript are the same, they both provide marks of all your subjects. But the difference is that a Transcript has generally a universally accepted format which includes among other things, your marks per semester, the degree awarded, years of study, medium of instruction, institution name, rankings, and a key sheet specifying how to interpret the marks (GPA, %age, scales etc) etc etc. It includes very important information about the university that has awarded the degree and its accreditation (public/ private, govt etc). It is also sealed in an envelope with signs on both flaps from registrar evaluation.

A CMC is like your normal marks cards that we got every semester (glazed printed paper if u are from VTU). Just that it is a slightly larger piece of paper with marks of all semesters. Generally the above mentioned items of transcripts are not mentioned.

I have not come across a college which asks for a CMC. But they ALWAYS ask for a University Transcript. However a CMC is useful if you have lost marks cards, if you have had backlogs and got secondary marks cards, if you just want one single marks card to ease your handling or if you had a reevaluation/ recount done of any subject and had a change of marks. It just makes things easier.

12. "I am 2004 passed out. I would like to get my transcript from VTU Belagum directly not by post since i need them urgently. My question is do i need to carry original marks cards to VTU Register office to get my transcripts"?

Ans: From what i have read over the Internet, some people advice you to carry and some say not required. My understanding is that its not required (I got it by post without sending any original documents!!). However, at least carry a photocopied version just in case they ask for it. And if you are not at all worried about (& Insecure) about carrying original docs, there is no harm in carrying them too. Just 5-6 pieces of paper!

13. "I completed my engg. in 2006 but unfortunately got a backlog and cleared the backlog in January 2007, finally got my degree in somewhere 2008. So i want to know if i apply for a higher degree aboard then what should i fill in the column "date received for the degree" in the forms. Whether it should be June 06 (the month and year in which I completed my education) or it should be the date thats mentioned on the degree certificate(March '08)"?

Ans: VTU (with or without backlogs) gives degrees only after a year of graduating. I got mine in 2006 march when i had finished my course in 2005 April. However, i mentioned the April date as the degree receiving date as on that date i received the Provisional degree certificate. I didn't want to raise any complications by mentioning a date one year after completion of the course.

I did not have any problems with my degrees on doing so....

VTU Transcripts: FAQ Part - 1

There have been a lot of questions asked on my blog about the process of VTU Transcripts and how to get them through Post along with basic questions about what are transcripts and CMC's etc and University rules etc. I have tried to answer all the questions earlier and have decided to consolidate all the responses together in 2 FAQ blog posts so that people can refer to the same in case they have queries.

Related Posts:
Getting VTU Transcripts though Post
FAQ Part 2

FAQ Part 1:

1. I would like to know if the transcripts include the degree certificate?

Ans: The answer is no, the transcripts only include a white sheet of paper with all the semester and subject marks with a VTU seal and some dates and curricula language. That’s all!

2. Do you need to also send across a self addressed envelope with the rest of the stuff or will mentioning your mailing address suffice?

Ans: Self addressed envelope is not required. Just mention your address clearly on the covering letter. They use their own envelopes. VTU is rich enough to afford that ;-)

3. I am not located in Bangalore. Do you think they will mail it to another city in India?

Ans: I live in Kolkata and they sent me the transcripts here.

4. What is required in the Cover Letter?

Ans: A cover letter is a normal letter addressed to The VTU asking for ‘X’ no of transcripts, your full address, your VTU details like Name, USN No (roll) and College name and the DD details.

5. Can V send the mail through ordinary post or through speed post?

Ans: It all depends on how quickly you want them!

6. Should the photo copies of marks cards be attested by principal?

Ans: No, you don’t need to get them attested by anybody

7. “I am from Delhi and passed my Degree in 2006 in first class (2002 to 2006). I had 2 backs throughout my degree, and later I passed the exams. At the end I was not able to get my consolidated marks card for the two semesters, after clearing the back. So now what will be the status of my marks in the transcripts; will the new marks be added by default or I will have to get the marks sheet consolidated first and then get transcripts which would be quite hectic”.

Ans: Actually what i know of the process is that when u ask for the transcript, they mention only the final marks in each subject but put a * mark next to the subject indicating that it was not cleared in the first attempt and below that they mention 1, 2, 3 etc for all subjects i.e first attempt, 2nd attempt, 3rd attempt etc. These things are mentioned on the 2nd page of the transcripts which details how to read the transcripts.

8. "In my transcripts it’s mentioned that the language of instruction is English. But I am sceptical if the universities would consider this to exclude us from appearing for TOEFl or IELTS". Please throw light on this issue.

Ans: As far as Toefl/ IELTS are concerned, it depends on specific universities and how they treat the issue. I contacted the admissions department of the colleges that I applied to and mentioned that the medium of instruction was English for both my graduate and postgraduate degrees and the same is mentioned on my transcripts. All of them told me that I do not need TOEFL/ IELTS scores. A couple of them asked me to highlight the medium of instruction on my transcript (photocopy version).

If you look at the university websites, they generally mention in their FAQ's section as to how they are going to treat English language testing. Many mention it explicitly that if you have a degree from an English speaking country or have done your graduation where medium of instruction was English, and then Toefl etc is not required. It’s best to be sure and contact the various admissions departments if you are in doubt after going through the admission websites.

Note: My experience is only related to MBA courses in Europe.

Getting VTU Transcripts though Post

I have been trying to find out how to get the VTU transcripts through post for some time but have not really found a good source of information on the internet. The VTU website is useless and give no information whatsoever while the rest of the blogs focus on the 'Traveling to Belgaum' part of it. Howevere since i am based in Kolkata, its not easy for me to do that and anyways i have already visited belgaum earlier so the 'Transcript Tourism' does not really hold good for me. So i decided to find out more from VTU itself.

I called up VTU this week (Not an easy task - I called them for 3 consecutive days before getting through. For the brave ones, the number is 0831-2498136. Either the phone kept on ringing or it was busy) to inquire about getting the transcripts through post and they told me that i need to send a mail (the slow one!) to the Registrar, VTU containing a covering letter mentioning the USN and the number of transcripts required. The cost for the same is Rs 250 for the 1st one and Rs 150 subsequently for each extra copy. I asked the person specifically if i needed to send xerox copies of my marks cards also and he said NO. Just the draft in favor of the 'Finance Officer, VTU, Belgaum' for the total amount and the covering letter is required. However i am going to play safe and send the xerox copies nevertheless. He mentioned that it will take approximately 10 working days from the date of receiving the application to process the request. Mention 'Official Transcripts' on the top of the Envelope just to make it clear.

The address to which this mail needs to be sent is: Registrar VTU, Visvesvaraya Technological University, "Jnana Sangam", Belgaum-590018

Now that i have sent it, will keep this updated as to the status of how long it takes for VTU to send across the documents to me. Hope it helps!

UPDATE - The Transcripts arrived today, i.e on 24th May. So it took approximately 20 odd days for the process to be completed. This seems a reasonable time considering that the entire process was conducted through post. The contents of the package include 10 sealed envelopes with "Official transcript on (sic) the Candidate" mentioned at the top with my name mentioned and the Registrar's signature and VTU stamp on the flipside right over the flap. There is also an unsealed copy for our use to understand the contents.

Also an important point for people who are applying to Universities where its been mentioned that English Language tests are not mandatory in case the medium of instruction was English during the period of Study. On the VTU transcript, this is mentioned very clearly. So basically no TOEFL for me which is a great relief considering the paucity of time and resources.

FAQ's related to the post:

FAQ Part 1
FAQ Part 2