Digital degree certificates introduced in March 2025
The University of Helsinki will introduce digital degree certificates in March 2025. These certificates are what graduates submitting graduation requests on or after 18 March 2025 will receive. The delivery of digital certificates will commence on 1 April 2025.
Digital degree certificates are commonplace at several other higher education institutions, and the University of Helsinki is among the last Finnish universities to use printed certificates. Although the transition to digital certificates has generated a great deal of discussion at the University, they have significant benefits compared with printed versions. Digital certificates are more reliable, as they are more difficult to forge. They are also easier to use in, for example, electronic job-seeking processes. The signature used on digital certificates can be easily verified using the validation service of the Finnish Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
Digital certificates will initially be introduced for first- and second-cycle degrees as well as postgraduate research degrees. The timetable for introducing the certificates for specialist training in medicine and veterinary medicine at the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine will be confirmed later.
Digital degree certificates will be the only official certificates. No printed copies will be provided, so that hard copies cannot be mistaken for official certificates.
Digitally signed degree certificates are legally binding and valid throughout the European Union. The degree certificates are PDF files and official only in digital form. If a file has been edited, the signature can no longer be validated; in this case, the document no longer corresponds to the original and cannot be used as an official degree certificate.
An archived copy of each digital degree certificate will always be kept in the University electronic archive.
Detailed information on digital degree certificates and transition instructions.
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Photo: Veikko Somerpuro