Electronic Degree Certificates

Electronic degree certificates are part of the digitalisation of services at Arcada. Electronic degree certificates are more reliable, as an electronic certificate cannot be falsified without invalidating the electronic signature, and are therefore more secure than paper certificates. Today, it is often easier to use electronic certificates in, for example, online application processes. E-certificates do not need to be separately verified, as the recipient can check their authenticity. An archival copy of each electronic degree certificate is permanently stored in Arcadas electronic archive.

Quick guide to e-certificates 

1. Make sure your contact details are correct in Sisu. The e-certificate will be sent to the email address you have provided in Sisu.
2. Ensure that you meet the Graduation requirements.
3.  Carefully read the instructions and apply for graduation in Sisu: Degree certificate application - Step-by-Step Guide
4. The processing time for certificates is usually around three weeks. You will receive an email when your degree certificate is ready (sender: noreply@sarake.fi).
5. Follow the link to the download service.
6. Download your certificate within 30 days.

Downloading and saving an electronic degree certificate 

How do I check that my email address is up to date in Sisu before applying for graduation?

Log in to Sisu and go to "My profile" and "Personal information". Check that your personal information is up to date. 

How do I download my electronic degree certificate?

When you have graduated and your degree certificate is ready you will receive an email the following day with the subject "Congratulations on your graduation." The email will be sent to both your primary (arcada.fi) and secondary (the one you provided) email addresses. The email will contain a link to the actual download page where you can download your degree certificate.

Remember to save your degree certificate to your own device (your own computer, hard drive, or cloud storage) immediately, as the download link is valid for only 30 days. It is advisable to save the certificate in multiple locations. Each separate file is your official degree certificate. You can rename the file, but you must not alter the certificate in any other way (e.g., deleting pages or text), as this invalidates the electronic signature, meaning the degree certificate is no longer official and cannot be verified.

Electronic degree certificates 

Will an original paper degree certificate available on request?  
No, it is not possible. From now on, the electronic degree certificate is the official degree certificate.

A certified paper copy of the electronic degree certificate can be provided upon request. This is a dee-based service. More information about ordering a copy can be found here.

I graduated and received my degree certificate in paper format. Can I get an electronic version of this degree certificate?

Electronically certified degree certificates are not issued retroactively, so unfortunately, you cannot receive an electronic degree certificate instead of the paper version.

I have received a paper degree certificate, but it contains an error. In what form will my new certificate be?

If the paper degree certificate contains an error, the new certificate will typically also be in paper form.

Reliability and information security of electronic degree certificates 

Where should I save my degree certificate?

You can download the degree certificate to your own files, such as in a cloud service, on your computer, on an external hard drive, or on a USB stick. Save the file in a safe location that makes it easy to attach the degree certificate, for example, to a job application. It is advisable to save the degree certificate in multiple locations, so that there are several copies. Each unedited, saved degree certificate is an official degree certificate.

Is an electronic degree certificate reliable?

An electronic degree certificate is reliable, as it cannot be modified or altered without invalidating the electronic signature, in which case the certificate can no longer be verified electronically. Never edit the document.

To what extent are electronic degree certificates known and accepted internationally?

Different countries have different degree certificates, both in paper and electronic formats. The PDF file format is widely known and used internationally. A certified paper copy can still be issued if needed.

An electronic degree certificate is a document that has been approved at the EU level. Its certification complies with the eIDAS regulation (EU) and meets the requirements for an approved electronic signature (QES level). The degree certificate is recognised in all EU countries.

Will the electronic degree certificate still be useful in several years?

The electronic degree certificate is signed using the PAdES-LTA standard. This means that it is possible to verify the validity of the degree certificate long after the certificate used in the signature has expired. The purpose of using the LTA standard is to ensure that the electronic signature remains valid for as long as possible.

How can I verify the validity of the electronic degree certificate?

An electronic degree certificate contains a digital signature that has been verified by DVV (the Digital and Population Data Services Agency). You can confirm the validity of the signature via DVV's verification service .

I forgot to download my certificate within 30 days, what should I do?

If you have forgotten to download your electronic degree certificate within the given timeframe, you should contact studentaffairs@arcada.fi by email. The degree certificate will then be sent to you via secure email.

Attachments to the certificate

In the same file as your degree certificate, you will receive your transcript of records in Swedish and English, as well as the diploma supplement (see attachment). Read more about the diploma supplement on the Finnish National Agency for Education's website .

For alumni

Did you graduate as a bachelor of social services with a qualification in early childhood education? See more information here in Swedish.

Did you complete your studies in social welfare or health care profession? Read more about applying for professional rights here.

Arcada has a lot to offer you, also after you graduate. In Arcada's alumni network you can build and maintain your own professional network, join events and hear the latest from campus. Click here to register as an Arcada alumni.