What is a Backlog Certificate?
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International universities ask foreign applicants to provide a backlog certificate. Students often get confused as to what a backlog certificate is, how to procure and use it, and what purpose it serves. A backlog can be defined as the record or number of subjects that the applicants could not pass or had difficulty passing the first time. In this article, we will discuss all the possible queries you have regarding a backlog certificate.
A majority of the countries known for higher education consider only the subjects you've failed in as backlogs and not the number of attempts you took to clear those exams. But there are a few nations like Germany and Australia that also take into consideration the number of attempts you make in order to analyse your dedication level towards your studies. You can apply for admission at various universities with active backlogs but your admission will be conditional. So in order to fly abroad for your studies, you will have to clear your pending backlogs.
Students should also note that being absent for an exam cannot be considered for backlogs. Absenteeism will be recorded as ‘absent’ in the score column of the exam.
Let us establish all the common queries of Indian candidates who aspire to study abroad.
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What is a Backlog Certificate?
Just as an academic transcript proves that you have completed your educational programme in a particular institution, a backlog certificate serves as proof that you have had n-number of backlogs, which you may or may not have cleared until the date of issue. This certificate will be provided to the students by their academic institutions, where they will have pending papers after they've completed their studies. It will contain the details related to the subjects for which you have backlogs.
What is the Importance of a Backlog Certificate? What Purpose Does It Serve?
Every country has its own way of counting backlogs. Some countries count the number of subjects, while some count the attempts made to clear a single subject. The admission committee of a university relies on the backlog certificate to count the number of backlogs. It is also required to prove that you have cleared all of them.
How to Get a Backlog Certificate?
The college authorities who create your academic transcripts/ degree/ mark sheet/ certificates/ diploma, etc. are the ones responsible for creating your backlog certificate as well. You need to procure your backlog certificate from the academic institution from where you completed your course/programme and received your academic transcript.
You will have to write an application for backlog certificate to your previous college or institution asking them to issue you a document that entails your backlogs throughout your academic journey. The application for the backlog certificate can be found on the college's website and should be sent in time to the concerned authorities at the college.
NOTE: No University grants admission to students with active backlogs.
How to Use a Backlog Certificate?
A backlog certificate is attached as a document of proof along with the rest of the application material that you send to the university. The entire application material includes:
- Financial Documents to prove that you are financially capable of funding your education and staying abroad
- Academic Transcripts for every qualification that you have undergone to serve as proof of education
- Standardised exams score: GRE/GMAT/SAT and IELTS/TOEFL/PTE as per the university requirements
- Supporting Documents: SOP, LOR, Academic CV, Essay, etc. that the university requires to evaluate your profile
- Valid Passport
NOTE: If you have more than one backlog certificate, then you need to provide all of them to the admission committee. It is not necessary that the university would settle with the latest backlog certificate, unlike transcripts.
How does a Backlog Certificate Differ from an Academic Transcript?
Academic transcripts consist of the score of all the subjects you have had in your course of study. A backlog certificate has scores of only the subjects you had a backlog in.
In most cases, you need to provide a combined transcript that contains marks of all the semesters/years. In general, when the final-year mark sheet has all the scores of your three/four years of academic degree, you do not need to provide a mark sheet for every semester/year. However, you need to provide as many backlog certificates as you have received throughout that course/degree.
Under What Condition Is a Backlog Certificate Required?
The admission committee of any university across the globe may ask for a backlog certificate. It is irrespective of the fact whether you have a low or a higher number of backlogs. In some regions like Australia, these are required to serve as proof of the fact that you have zero backlogs. Refer to the sample backlog certificate here.
What to do if You have no Backlogs?
A common question we come across is what needs to be done if a student has no/zero backlogs. In this case, you need to see which country you are applying to.
For instance, Canadian Universities do not ask for a backlog certificate if you have no backlogs. Your academic transcript in itself is proof that you have passed all your exams.
On the other hand, in countries like Australia and New Zealand, you need to reach out to your academic institute to procure a ‘zero backlog’ or no backlog certificate to prove a clearance of your academic records. This is mandatory in the universities of Australia and New Zealand.
Where do the Backlogs Matter and Where do they not?
If you have a few backlogs, you may have the following doubts:
- How backlogs are counted in every country?
- Which countries are strict and which are lenient toward backlog acceptance
- How many backlogs are accepted in which country?
In order to clarify these doubts, check out a detailed article on Do Backlogs Matter.
Which International Universities Accept Backlog?
If you are already certain about the country you want to apply to, you might be willing to find out which college is suitable for you. Kindly refer to the list of universities accepting backlogs in the popular study-abroad destinations:
- USA Universities Accepting Backlogs
- Canadian Universities Accepting Backlogs
- Universities in Ireland Accepting Backlogs
- Australian Universities Accepting Backlogs
- Universities in New Zealand Accepting Backlogs
- UK Universities Accepting Backlogs
Adding to it, our team of expert counsellors can assist you in being enrolled to any of these universities. Learn how Shiksha counsellors rate students' chances of getting into a college abroad. You may avail of our free-of-cost services by registering on our website.
Backlog Certificate FAQs
Q: How to write a letter for backlog certificate?
Q: What is a no backlog certificate?
A no backlog certificate is an official document confirming that a student has no failed courses or outstanding backlogs, detailing their academic history and any challenges faced. While not usually required by universities without backlogs, some may request it for international applications, necessitating students to obtain it from their previous institution. To acquire the certificate, students typically submit a formal application to their alma mater, including their identification number, field of study, and information about any pending coursework.
Q: How can I apply for a no backlog certificate?
To obtain a no backlog certificate, it is necessary to submit a formal application to your university. This can usually be done via their online portal or by sending a written request letter. In your application, clearly state your request for a certificate that verifies you have no outstanding backlogs. Be sure to include your personal details, such as your roll number, course name, and contact information.
Additionally, you may be required to attach copies of your mark sheets as evidence. It is advisable to verify the specific application process and required documents with your university.
Q: Is a "backlog" and "fail" same?
A "backlog" should not be equated with a "fail" although both terms signify an unsuccessful attempt at an examination, a backlog denotes that the exam was not passed on the initial try, allowing for the possibility of a subsequent attempt to achieve a passing score. In contrast, a "fail" typically indicates that the required passing grade was not attained in a single attempt, without implying any options for retaking the exam.
Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: How much IELTS score is required for Hertfordshire University?
International students coming from diverse backgrounds must prove their English language proficiency by submitting the scores of IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo at Hertfordshire University. The university demands an IELTS score of 6 from the students. Along with the IELTS scores, students can refer to the table below for all the required English proficiency score:
English language test | Minimum Score required UG | Minimum Score required PG |
|---|---|---|
6 or above | 6 or above | |
59 or above | 58 or above | |
105 or above | 120 or above |
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
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German universities are quite strict about backlogs. Some of the lenient universities accept up to five backlogs. However, they count the number of attempts you had to make to clear a single backlog/subject and not the number of courses. For more details, read https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/do-bac
An application for teh backlog certificate can be written to a concerned authority asking them clearly stating your request for a backlog certificate, providing your full name, student ID number, course details, and a list of subjects with backlogs. In some cases, you also be required to mention the reason for requesting a backlog certificate such as going to study abroad.
The letter should be concluded with a thank you note for consideration of your request.