Åbo Akademi University issues degree certificates for completed bachelor’s, master’s, and scientific postgraduate degrees. Starting from January 1, 2025, Åbo Akademi University will issue electronically signed degree certificates. Degree certificates issued before this date have been issued on paper.
Further down the page, you will find information about verifying the authenticity of the degree certificate and how to proceed if, for example, you need a copy of your degree certificate.
Degree certificates issued from January 1, 2025
The electronically signed degree certificate is an original and official proof of the completed degree.
The electronic degree certificate is an official original document in PDF/A format, electronically signed by the Dean using a certificate from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. The electronically signed degree certificate is an EU-approved document whose certification meets the eIDAS regulation’s requirements for a qualified electronic signature (QES level).
The degree certificate document consists of the degree certificate, a transcript of records, and a Diploma Supplement.
The electronic degree certificate is issued in Swedish and English to everyone completing a lower, higher, or scientific postgraduate degree.
Advantages of Electronically Signed Degree Certificates
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- Faster Process: The degree certification process is expedited as the certificate is created and signed electronically.
- Efficient Handling: For job applications, admissions to further studies, or other matters, it is easier to use an electronically signed degree certificate as it can be readily attached to digital processes.
- Higher Security: An electronically signed degree certificate is more reliable and data-secure than a paper-based certificate or its copies.
- Verifiability: Electronically signed degree certificates do not require separate authentication, as each saved certificate is an official original document. The authenticity can be verified by anyone who receives the document, for instance, through the certification service provided by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
- Easy Storage: The degree certificate is easy to store, for example, in a cloud service, on a computer, or a USB drive.
Degree certificates issued until December 31, 2024
Degree certificates issued in paper form are original and valid proof of the completed degree.
The certificate document consists of the degree certificate (folder in folded A3 format), a transcript of records, and a Diploma Supplement.
The paper-form degree certificate has been issued either in Swedish or English, depending on the language of instruction. Students who completed a degree in an international master’s program received certificates in both Swedish and English.
It is not possible to convert a paper certificate into electronic form other than as a copy. It is not possible to retroactively obtain an electronic degree certificate.
You can verify the authenticity of the electronically signed degree certificate in several ways
- Check the validity of an electronically signed document in Atomi Validator service, or
- Check the validity of an electronically signed document in Digital and Population Data Agency’s validation service, or
- Check the signature details within the PDF file itself.
You can verify the authenticity of a paper degree certificate by contacting Åbo Akademi University and the faculty office of the faculty you graduated from. Contact information for the faculty offices can be found in the right-hand column.
Graduates after January 1, 2025
If the electronic degree certificate is lost, a new download link can be requested from the university. Contact the faculty office of the faculty where you completed your degree to receive a new link to your electronically signed degree certificate.
Graduates before January 1, 2025
If your paper degree certificate is lost or if you need a copy of your degree certificate, you should contact the faculty office of the faculty where you completed your degree for further instructions.
Certified copy
If you need a certified copy of your degree certificate, for example, when applying for studies abroad, you can request one. Certified copies are subject to fees as per the Rector’s decision of January 8, 2013.
Generally, a new original degree certificate cannot be issued, only copies of the original certificate. The exception is if you changed your legal gender after you graduated and your original degree certificate with the previous name and social security number therefore creates a risk of discrimination, e.g., when it comes to job interviews. If this is the case, you can have a new original degree certificate issued, with the correct name and social security number. Be in contact with your faculty office for further help.