If you hold a university degree from outside Ecuador, you'll need to go through SENESCYT's degree recognition process before you can use that degree professionally here. And one of the most critical — and most misunderstood — parts of that process is getting your academic documents properly translated.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Is SENESCYT?
SENESCYT (Secretaría de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación) is Ecuador's government agency responsible for regulating higher education. Among its many functions, SENESCYT handles the recognition and registration of foreign degrees.
If you're a professional — doctor, engineer, architect, teacher, lawyer, accountant — and you want to practice your profession in Ecuador, you need SENESCYT to officially recognize your foreign degree. Without this recognition, your degree essentially doesn't exist in Ecuador's legal system.
This process is sometimes called "homologación" (degree equivalency) or "registro de título" (degree registration), and the specific path depends on whether your degree comes from a country with which Ecuador has a recognition agreement.
For a deeper dive into the full SENESCYT process itself, our sister site EcuadorSENESCYT.com covers every step in detail.
Which Academic Documents Need Translation?
SENESCYT requires certified Spanish translations of all documents that aren't originally in Spanish. The typical document list includes:
- University diploma / degree certificate — The official document showing your degree was conferred
- Academic transcripts — Complete records of courses, grades, and credit hours
- Curriculum or syllabus descriptions — Sometimes required to evaluate course equivalency
- Accreditation letter — Proof that your university is accredited in its home country
- Professional license (if applicable) — For regulated professions like medicine or law
Some applicants are surprised by the transcript and syllabus requirement. SENESCYT doesn't just want proof that you graduated — they want to evaluate what you actually studied to determine if it's equivalent to an Ecuadorian degree program.
The Apostille Requirement
Before your academic documents can be translated, they typically need to be apostilled. The apostille is an international authentication that proves your documents are legitimate.
Here's the correct order of operations:
- Obtain certified copies of your diploma, transcripts, and any other required documents from your university
- Get the apostille from the appropriate authority (in the US, this is usually the Secretary of State in the state where your university is located, or the US Department of State for federal-level documents)
- Get the certified translation — which should include the document itself AND the apostille
This order matters. If you translate first and apostille later, you'll need to pay for a second translation that includes the apostille. We cover this process in detail in our apostille + translation guide.
Common Terminology Challenges
Academic translations are among the most complex translations we handle. They're full of specialized terminology that doesn't always have a direct equivalent between educational systems. Here are some areas where our certified translators pay special attention:
Degree Titles
US degree titles don't map cleanly to Ecuadorian ones. A "Bachelor of Science" isn't simply "Bachiller en Ciencias" (that's a high school degree in Ecuador). Our team uses the correct equivalent terminology that SENESCYT recognizes, such as "Licenciatura" or "Título de tercer nivel."
Grading Systems
The US uses GPA on a 4.0 scale, letter grades (A, B, C), and sometimes percentage scores. Ecuador uses a 10-point scale. Our translators accurately translate grade descriptions without converting them — SENESCYT has their own equivalency tables and prefers to see the original system clearly presented.
Credit Hours
The US credit-hour system doesn't exist in Ecuador. Our translators maintain the original credit-hour references and, when needed, include notes that help SENESCYT evaluators understand the course load.
Course Names
A course called "Calculus III" or "Organic Chemistry Lab" needs to be translated in a way that accurately reflects the content. Our team understands both academic systems and chooses terminology that SENESCYT evaluators will recognize.
Step-by-Step: Getting Your Documents Ready for SENESCYT
Step 1: Determine Your Document Requirements
Not every applicant needs the same documents. The requirements depend on your degree level (undergraduate, master's, doctorate) and your profession. Start by checking the current SENESCYT requirements on their official portal or through EcuadorSENESCYT.com.
Step 2: Request Official Documents from Your University
Contact your university registrar for official copies of your diploma and transcripts. If SENESCYT requires syllabi or course descriptions, your department or registrar can usually provide these. Make sure you request documents that can be apostilled — photocopies generally won't work.
Step 3: Get Apostilles
Send your documents to the appropriate Secretary of State (for state university documents) or the US Department of State (for certain federal-level certifications). Processing times range from 1-4 weeks depending on the method and state.
Step 4: Send Documents for Certified Translation
Once apostilled, send your documents to our team for SENESCYT-specific translation. We translate the complete document package — including all apostille certificates, stamps, and seals — formatted specifically for SENESCYT submission.
Standard turnaround is 3-5 business days. If you're on a tight deadline, we offer rush service (24-48 hours) and same-day service when available.
Step 5: Submit to SENESCYT
Your submission package will include the original apostilled documents alongside their certified translations. SENESCYT reviews the package and, if everything is in order, proceeds with degree evaluation.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Translating only the diploma. Many applicants assume SENESCYT only needs the degree certificate. In most cases, transcripts are mandatory — and sometimes syllabi are too. Submitting an incomplete package means delays and resubmission.
Using a general translator. Academic translations require specific knowledge of both educational systems. A translator unfamiliar with SENESCYT's expectations may use incorrect degree equivalency terms, which can trigger additional review or outright rejection.
Skipping the apostille. SENESCYT will not accept unapostilled foreign documents. No exceptions.
Waiting until the last minute. Between obtaining official copies, getting apostilles, completing translations, and SENESCYT's own processing timeline, the full process can take several weeks to months. Start early.
Not translating supplementary documents. If SENESCYT requests additional documentation during their review — accreditation letters, professional certifications, course descriptions — those will need certified translation too. Build in time and budget for potential additional requests.
Why Work With a SENESCYT-Specialized Translation Team?
SENESCYT has specific expectations for how translations are formatted and what terminology is used. Our certified translators have handled hundreds of SENESCYT submissions and know exactly what the agency expects. This means fewer rejections, fewer resubmissions, and a faster path to getting your degree recognized in Ecuador.
We work closely with EcuadorSENESCYT.com to stay current on any changes to SENESCYT's requirements, so your translations always reflect the latest standards.
Check out our SENESCYT translation services page for more details on what we offer, or visit our pricing page for transparent cost information.
Need your academic documents translated for SENESCYT? Get a free quote — we respond within 24 hours and can have your translations ready in as few as 3-5 business days.