Official English Translation of a Medical Degree in Berlin: What Do You Need for a UK University Application?
If you are applying for a university course in the United Kingdom, you may be asked to provide an official English translation of your academic qualifications. This is particularly relevant for medical professionals applying for postgraduate programmes, specialist training or further education abroad.
For applicants with German qualifications, such as the Zeugnis über die Ärztliche Prüfung (German Medical State Examination Certificate), one important question arises: Do you need a sworn translation, or is an official translation from a professional translation agency sufficient?
At Berlin Translate, we help individuals and professionals translate academic certificates, medical qualifications and other official documents for international applications.
In this article, we explain the different translation options, their costs and the steps you should take before submitting your documents to a UK institution.
1. Why Do You Need an Official English Translation of Your Medical Degree?
When applying to a university or professional training programme abroad, you may need to demonstrate your academic qualifications in English.
Depending on the institution and programme, the required documents may include:
- Medical degree certificates
- State examination certificates
- University diplomas
- Academic transcripts and examination results
- Certificates of professional qualifications
- Employment references and professional certificates
For German-trained doctors, the Zeugnis über die Ärztliche Prüfung is an important document that may need to be translated into English.
The purpose of the translation is to allow the admissions team to understand your qualifications, examination results and academic background.
However, the exact translation requirements depend on the institution receiving your application. Before ordering a translation, you should check whether the university requires a professional translation, a translation certified by the translation agency, or a sworn translation.
2. Applying to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM)
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) offers postgraduate degrees, professional diplomas and continuing professional development courses in areas related to global health and tropical medicine.
Applicants may need to provide academic documents as part of their application.
According to LSTM’s official application guidance, supporting documents can include copies of degree certificates and academic transcripts. Applicants are instructed to scan and upload their documents through the MyLSTM application portal.
However, the precise requirements can vary according to the programme.
If you have been asked to provide an “official translation” of your German medical degree, it is important to clarify what LSTM means by this term before ordering your translation.
The expression “official translation” does not necessarily mean the same thing as a sworn or certified translation in every country.
What should you check before ordering?
Before submitting your documents, we recommend checking the following points with the admissions team:
- Is a professional translation issued by a translation agency acceptable?
- Must the translation be certified by a sworn or authorised translator?
- Is a digital PDF sufficient, or is a paper original required?
- Must the original German document also be submitted?
You can consult LSTM’s official application guidance or contact its admissions team if the requirements are unclear.
Important: We cannot guarantee that an agency-issued translation will be accepted by LSTM without confirmation from the institution. The safest approach is to verify the requirements before placing your order.
3. Official Translation vs. Sworn Translation: What Is the Difference?
In Germany, there is an important distinction between a professional translation issued by a translation agency and a certified translation produced by a sworn or otherwise authorised translator.
Understanding this distinction can help you choose the appropriate service without paying for certification you may not need.
Option 1: Professional Official Translation by Berlin Translate
Berlin Translate offers professional translations prepared by qualified translators.
Depending on the requirements of the receiving institution, the translation can be accompanied by a statement confirming its completeness and accuracy and by the agency’s stamp.
This option may be suitable when a university, employer or organisation requires an official-looking professional translation but does not explicitly demand certification by a sworn translator.
Our standard agency translation includes:
- Translation by a professional translator
- A statement confirming the completeness and accuracy of the translation
- The translation agency’s stamp, where applicable
- Delivery as a PDF document by email
Price: €45 per page.
For a two-page medical certificate, the total would be €90.
This is a cost-effective option when the receiving institution confirms that an agency-issued translation is acceptable.
Please note that an agency stamp does not make a translation equivalent to a sworn translation under German law.
Option 2: Certified Translation by a Sworn Translator
Some institutions and authorities require a translation completed by a sworn, appointed or otherwise authorised translator.
In this case, the translation must meet the applicable certification requirements.
Depending on the order, the translation may include:
- A certification statement
- The sworn translator’s stamp and signature
- The required formalities for the intended use
- A printed copy delivered by post
Price: €85 per page.
For a two-page medical certificate, the total would be €170.
This option is appropriate when the receiving institution explicitly requires a sworn or certified translation by an authorised translator.
For further information, read our guide: Official Translation vs. Certified Translation in Germany.
Which option should you choose?
| Feature | Option 1: Agency translation | Option 2: Sworn translation |
|---|---|---|
| Price per page | €45 | €85 |
| Translator | Professional translator | Sworn or authorised translator |
| Agency stamp | Available where applicable | Not a substitute for the translator’s certification |
| Delivery | PDF by email | Certified paper copy by post, as agreed |
| Best suited for | Institutions accepting agency-issued translations | Institutions explicitly requiring sworn certification |
Our recommendation: If LSTM confirms that a professional agency-issued translation is sufficient, Option 1 is the more economical choice. If the institution explicitly requires a sworn translation, choose Option 2.
4. How Much Does It Cost to Translate a German Medical Degree into English?
The cost depends on the number of pages and the type of translation required.
Here is an example for a two-page German Medical State Examination Certificate.
| Service | Price per page | Total for 2 pages |
|---|---|---|
| Professional agency translation | €45 | €90 |
| Certified translation by a sworn translator | €85 | €170 |
Choosing the appropriate service can make a significant difference to the total cost.
However, the cheapest option is not necessarily the right one if the receiving institution has specific certification requirements.
That is why we recommend checking the requirements before placing your order.
5. How to Order Your English Translation from Berlin Translate
Ordering a translation is straightforward.
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Scan your medical certificate or diploma in good quality.
Make sure that all pages, stamps, signatures and other relevant details are clearly visible.
Step 2: Send us your documents
Contact Berlin Translate and provide:
- A scan of the document
- The source language and target language
- The name of the institution receiving the translation
- Any specific translation requirements
- Your preferred deadline
You can contact us through the Berlin Translate website.
Step 3: Receive your quotation
We will review your request and provide a quotation based on the document and the required service.
If you are unsure which type of translation you need, you can also send us the institution’s instructions so that we can help you understand the available options.
Step 4: Confirm your order
Once you have accepted the quotation, we can arrange the translation according to the agreed specifications and deadline.
Step 5: Receive your translation
Depending on the service selected, you will receive your translation as a PDF by email or as a certified paper copy by post.
6. Why Choose Berlin Translate?
Berlin Translate provides professional translation services for individuals, students, medical professionals and businesses.
We understand that academic and medical documents require particular attention to terminology, names, dates and examination titles.
Our services include:
Professional translation services
Translations prepared by qualified professional translators.
Certified translations
Translations completed by sworn or authorised translators when certification is required.
Transparent pricing
Clear per-page prices so you can compare the available options before ordering.
Convenient document submission
You can send us scans of your documents to request a quotation.
Support with translation requirements
If you are unsure which type of translation is required, we can help you review the instructions provided by the receiving institution.
Visit Berlin Translate to learn more about our translation services.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Can Berlin Translate translate a German medical degree into English?
Yes. Berlin Translate can arrange professional translations of German medical certificates, diplomas and other academic documents into English.
The appropriate type of translation depends on the requirements of the receiving institution.
How much does it cost to translate a German medical certificate into English?
Our professional agency translation costs €45 per page. A certified translation by a sworn translator costs €85 per page.
For a two-page document, the respective totals are €90 and €170.
Is an agency-issued translation sufficient for LSTM?
It depends on the requirements for your specific course and application.
If LSTM requests an “official translation”, do not automatically assume that this means either an agency-issued translation or a sworn translation. We recommend confirming the precise requirements with the admissions team before ordering.
You can consult the official LSTM application guidance.
Do I need to send my original medical certificate?
For an initial quotation, a clear scan is generally sufficient.
If a sworn translation is required, the translator may have specific requirements concerning the original document or a certified copy. These requirements should be clarified before placing the order.
How long does the translation take?
The turnaround time depends on the document, language combination, availability of the translator and type of service.
Please contact us with your document and deadline so that we can provide an estimate.
Conclusion: Get the Right English Translation for Your UK Application
If you are applying to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine or another UK institution, having your German medical qualifications translated accurately is an important step in preparing your application.
The key is to identify the type of translation the receiving institution requires before placing your order.
If a professional agency-issued translation is accepted, our €45-per-page service may be sufficient. If a sworn translation is explicitly required, we can arrange the appropriate certified service at €85 per page.
Need an English translation of your German medical degree or academic certificate?
Visit Berlin Translate to request a quotation and tell us which institution will receive your documents.