Arabic-to-English Certificate Translation for Education Verification

Structure of a Tunisian University Certificate

Typical Certificate Layout

A Tunisian academic certificate follows a standardised layout that originates from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The top of the document usually displays the national emblem, the words “République Tunisienne” in French, and the Arabic phrase الجمهورية التونسية. Below that the name of the university, جامعة سوسة (University of Sousse), and the issuing institution appear in both Arabic and French. The central block states the full degree title, the field of study, the date of award, and a certificate number. In many nursing-science documents the phrase علوم التمريض (Nursing Sciences) appears directly under the degree name. A director’s signature and the institutional stamp sit at the bottom, often overlapping with the official seal.

The Tunisian LMD (Licence-Master-Doctorat) System

Tunisia adopted the LMD framework (Licence – Master – Doctorat) in the 2000s, harmonising its higher education structure with the European Bologna Process. A Licence fondamentale (National Bachelor’s Degree) typically requires three years of study after the baccalaureate and carries 180 ECTS credits. Master’s programmes add another two years (120 ECTS), and a Doctorat requires three or more years of research. On a Tunisian certificate the words نظام أمد (Niẓām LMD) or the phrase “Licence Appliquée” / “Licence Fondamentale” signal the LMD track. Recognising the LMD structure is essential when translating because foreign credential evaluators map the “Licence” to a bachelor’s-level qualification, and the credit-system references help determine equivalence for employment or further study abroad.

Key Arabic Terms on an Academic Certificate

A translated certificate should convert every Arabic field into clear English. The table below shows terms that appear frequently on documents from Tunisian universities. Personal identifiers such as names, certificate numbers, and dates are replaced with placeholders.

Arabic (Original Script)	Romanisation	English
الجمهورية التونسية	al-Jumhūrīyah al-Tūnisīyah	Tunisian Republic
وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي	Wizārat al-Ta‘līm al-‘Ālī wa-al-Baḥth al-‘Ilmī	Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
جامعة سوسة	Jāmi‘at Sūsah	University of Sousse
المعهد العالي لعلوم التمريض	al-Ma‘had al-‘Ālī li-‘Ulūm al-Tamrīḍ	Higher Institute of Nursing Sciences
شهادة الإجازة الأساسية	Shahādat al-Ijāzah al-Asāsīyah	National Bachelor’s Degree (Licence fondamentale)
نظام أمد	Niẓām LMD	LMD System (Licence‑Master‑Doctorat)
علوم التمريض	‘Ulūm al-Tamrīḍ	Nursing Sciences
بتقدير جيد	bi-taqdīr jayyid	with Good grade
تاريخ التسليم	Tārīkh al-taslīm	Date of Issue
رقم الشهادة	Raqm al-Shahādah	Certificate Number

Why Translate an Arabic Certificate for Education Verification

Applicants who hold a Tunisian degree routinely need an English version for credential evaluation by agencies such as WES, for university admission in English‑speaking countries, or for employer background checks. A student‑visa application often lists a translated academic certificate among the required documents, consular officers refer to it when assessing the candidate’s qualifications. In the health‑sciences field, nursing registration boards abroad also ask for a word‑for‑word English rendering of the original diploma. Even before a formal submission an applicant may want an instant translation simply to understand the document’s exact wording, spot errors, or prepare a working draft for a lawyer. All these scenarios start with converting the certificate’s Arabic text into accurate, clean English.

When an AI Translation Suffices and When You Need a Certified Version

An instant AI translation is enough when you need the information quickly for yourself, checking what the certificate says, creating a draft for a credential‑evaluation application, or including an informal copy with an internal job‑application package. The AI‑generated DOCX preserves the original layout and turns every field into English in minutes. For final, official submission to a credential evaluator, a foreign university admissions office, or an immigration authority, the receiving body often requires a certified translation that carries a formal statement of accuracy. Lekhak offers certified translation on‑demand (not self‑serve) for those situations. Notarisation, apostille, and embassy attestation are separate government acts that you arrange with the relevant authority.

What You Get with Lekhak’s AI Translation

Upload a scanned Tunisian certificate in PDF, JPG, or PNG format and the platform delivers a translated DOCX file. The output reproduces the certificate’s original two‑column layout: Arabic on the left (or top) and English equivalents on the right, with all stamps, signatures, and watermarks left untouched. Fields such as شهادة الإجازة الأساسية become “National Bachelor’s Degree”, the university name converts to “University of Sousse”, and the date of issue and certificate number are rendered in English while retaining placeholders for personal identifiers. The whole process takes a few minutes, and you can download the DOCX immediately. There is no queue, no chat‑back, and no waiting for a human translator to start the job.

When Notarisation, Apostille, or Embassy Attestation Are Needed

Some receiving authorities instruct applicants to submit “legalised” copies of educational documents. In those cases the translation itself may first need to be certified (which Lekhak provides on‑demand) and then follow the apostille or attestation chain. An apostille under the Hague Apostille Convention is sufficient for destination countries that are party to the convention. For other countries, embassy attestation may be required. These steps are handled directly through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tunisia or the receiving country’s embassy; Lekhak does not offer notarisation, apostille, or attestation itself. The AI‑generated translation is still a useful starting point: it gives you a clean English text that can be attached to the certification and legalisation workflow.

How to Get a Duplicate Certificate If the Original Is Lost

If your original certificate is missing, you will need to request a duplicate before translation can begin. The process varies by institution, but for the University of Sousse and its affiliated institutes such as the Higher Institute of Nursing Sciences, you typically must submit a written request to the registrar’s office (Service de la Scolarité). You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, programme of study, and the approximate year of graduation. Some universities require a police report if the certificate was stolen. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research may also issue a duplicate or an attestation of the degree if the institute refers the case upward. Processing times and fees depend on the institution’s current workload. Once the duplicate arrives, you can upload it to Lekhak for instant translation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an AI‑translated certificate for a WES evaluation?

WES typically requires a document‑by‑document translation that is certified. You may use the instant AI translation as a personal reference, but for the official evaluation you should request the certified variant. Lekhak offers certified translation on‑demand for this purpose.

Is a notarised translation required for a student visa?

Many consulates ask for a certified translation, not necessarily a notarised one. For example, the US Department of State’s student visa guidance lists the requirement for translations but leaves the specific format to the applicant’s home country. Always verify with the embassy that issues your visa.

How are bilingual Arabic–French certificates handled?

Tunisian certificates often appear in Arabic and French side by side. The AI translation path converts all Arabic portions into English while leaving the French text unchanged. The resulting DOCX maintains the original bilingual frame, so both the French original and the English translation are visible.

What is the LMD degree structure?

The LMD system, Licence, Master, Doctorat, introduced a three‑cycle structure aligned with the European Bologna Process. A Licence (bac+3) equals a bachelor’s degree, a Master (bac+5) a master’s, and a Doctorat a doctoral degree. Credits follow the ECTS standard.

How can I get a duplicate from my Tunisian university?

Contact the university’s scolarité office directly. For the Higher Institute of Nursing Sciences of Sousse, you generally submit a request with personal details and proof of identity. The ministry may also be involved, especially if the original institution has since merged or changed names.

Does Lekhak support scanned certificates?

Yes. The platform accepts PDF, JPG, PNG, and other common image formats. Strong lighting and a straight-on angle improve OCR accuracy, especially when the Arabic text is printed in small font sizes.

How long does the AI translation take?

The translation itself completes in a few minutes. After you upload the file, the engine processes the image, extracts the Arabic, translates it, and assembles the DOCX. You receive an email notification when the file is ready for download.

Will the translated DOCX preserve the original certificate layout?

Yes. The output DOCX mirrors the original structure: columns, stamped regions, and seals remain in place. Only the Arabic text fields are replaced with their English equivalents, and personal identifiers are replaced with placeholders in the sample provided.

Can I translate a certificate that has both Arabic and French text?

Absolutely. The translation pipeline targets the Arabic content only. The French text is left untouched, so the final DOCX displays the French original alongside the English rendering of the Arabic sections.

Do I need to redact personal information before uploading?

No manual redaction is needed. The platform automatically replaces names, national identification numbers, and certificate numbers with placeholders in the sample you receive. Your data is encrypted in transit and at rest.

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