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Electronic Degree Certificates FAQ

An electronic degree certificate is an official, original certificate in PDF format, digitally signed by the dean using the electronic authentication of the Finnish Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

The reason for the switch to electronic degree certificates at the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ is to speed up the process of obtaining the certificate from a student's perspective. Electronic certificates make job searching, applying for further education, and interacting with other organizations easier and faster because they can easily be integrated into electronic processes. Additionally, electronic certificates are more reliable and secure than paper certificates or copies of certificates in PDF format.

The electronic certificate does not need to be separately verified as each stored degree certificate is an official, original certificate in PDF format, digitally signed by the Dean using the Digital and Population Data Services Agency's electronic certificate. Anyone who has been provided with the certificate can verify its authenticity, as the authenticity of the certificate can easily be verified, for example, through the Digital and Population Data Services Agency's certification service. Additionally, storing the certificate is made easier (e.g. saving it to a cloud service, computer and/or USB stick).

The adoption of electronic degree certificates also fulfills the digitalization goals of the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥.

How does a student order and receive an electronic degree certificate?

The student submits a request for graduation as usual in Sisu once they have completed all studies included in the degree and when all study achievements have been registered in Sisu. The student will receive a notification by email when the electronic certificate is ready and can be downloaded from the certificate service. The student then logs into the certificate service using their own Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥'s username and can download and save the certificate for their own records.

How do I log in to the certificate service?

Student logs into the certificate service using their own Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥'s username, which is valid for 61 days after graduation. Aquiring electronic degree certificates requires multi-factor authentication. If you are about to graduate and plan to apply for an electronic degree certificate, please deploy MFA as soon as possible. Read more and activate MFA!

Is it possible to get a paper copy in addition to the electronic degree certificate?

Unfortunately, we cannot provide the student with two original, official degree certificates, both in electronic and paper format. However, you can order a paper copy of the electronic degree certificate after graduation. The price of the copy is 35 €. .

What is the copy of the electronic degree certificate provided to the student like?

The paper copy of the electronic degree certificate has the same visual appearance as the electronic certificate, with the same fonts and layouts. The electronic certificate includes the Dean's electronic signature and the university seal, which are also copied onto the paper copy.

Is it true that the electronic degree certificate is the only official degree certificate?

The electronic degree certificate is the only official certificate. The paper copy of the electronic degree certificate you can order from the university is an officially certified copy.

I graduated and received a paper degree certificate in 2019. Is it possible to get an electronic degree certificate from that certificate?

Electronic degree certificates cannot be created retroactively. The paper degree certificate received by the student in 2019 is a genuine, authentic certificate, and cannot be transferred to electronic format other than as a copy.

Is it true that electronic degree certificates are not accepted in all countries where a paper certificate is accepted?

The electronic degree certificate is a recognized document at the EU level, with a certificate that complies with the eIDAS (EU) regulation and meets the requirements for an accepted electronic signature (QES level).

At present, not all countries, particularly those outside the EU, accept officially certified paper copies of electronic degree certificates. Therefore, the university may need to verify the student's degree by other means.

Is the electronic degree certificate file still usable years later?

The electronic degree certificate is signed using the PAdES-LTA standard, which means that the certificate can be verified as valid even long after the certificate used to sign it has expired. LTA is designed to provide the longest possible storage time for an electronic signature.

How is the security of sending electronic degree certificates ensured?

The electronic graduation certificate is not sent to the graduate via email. Instead, the graduate requests it through the Sisu system and is notified by email when the electronic certificate is available for download from the certification service.

What if the electronic degree certificate is lost?

The student can save the electronic degree certificate on their own computer, in a cloud service, or on a USB drive. The certificate is also stored in the university's electronic archive. If the electronic certificate is lost, the student can order a new one.

How was the decision to introduce electronic degree certificates made, and were different parties consulted in the decision-making process?

The Jyväskylä University Learning and Education Digitalization Steering Group decided on August 18, 2022 to investigate the operating model, requirements, and technical prerequisites for electronic degree certificates. In this preliminary study phase, deans/vice deans, study managers, and the Jyväskylä University Student Union (JYY) were consulted. After the preliminary study phase, the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ Education Council supported the introduction of electronic degree certificates at their meeting on September 29, 2022.

The Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ Education Services Management Group launched the implementation project for electronic graduation certificates on October 7, 2022. During the implementation project, discussions have taken place with representatives from JYY and the student body (Q&A session for students on February 22, 2023) regarding the implementation of electronic graduation certificates and related practices.