I am currently preparing a PhD application for the 2016/17 academic year. I have come up against a problem - I have tried to obtain a transcript from the HEI where I took my MSc degree in 2007. Unfortunately they have only been able to come-up with an incomplete transcript that doesn't do the job. I have chosen not to complain but instead gone up the food chain - the Dean of the relevant faculty has been very nice and said it will be looked into. Since 2007 my academic department has closed down, which may account for the problem.

My issue is I want to pursue a PhD/EdD in Education at a Russell Group university, but I'm not sure this can happen without the transcript. I am still a strong applicant otherwise (lots of relevant industry experience plus 2.5 years as a non-PhD university lecturer, I also have other UG/PG qualifications (all from Russel Group Universities) with strong grades/transcripts but sub-masters, plus a PG Cert in Higher Education Teaching but this was assessed at pass/fail only, no grade boundaries).

If the transcript doesn't turn-up, any advice? I'm currently a university admissions tutor - if it were me I would take an holistic view, but I'm not sure every admissions tutor would take the same approach, esp at PhD level.

I had a similar issue - not with an MSc transcript, but with a previous PGDip that I'd done - the department had closed down and I couldn't get anyone at the uni to respond or even provide a letter to say what I'd done. To be honest, I wasn't asked for much in the way of proof of qualifications when starting my PhD - I had only partial MSc results when I applied, and they've never asked to see any proof of my final MSc results, so it may well be that it's just taken on trust for you too, especially with all your other experience and qualifications. However, it is deeply annoying to be short of your MSc transcript, and I think I would keep pursuing it with the uni as there must surely be a record of your time there.

I don't think it will be too much a problem - I expect other unis would act the same way as you, and not just dismiss you because you can't get a copy of the transcript.

Maybe you could get a letter from the uni saying they have lost the records? That might help.