Online degree certificate format: what it shows
Whether you are applying for a job or further study, it helps to know what your certificate will show. Each university designs the front, so layouts differ, while UGC rules set what goes on the back. These are the details to look for.
| Detail | What it tells you | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Your name | The name you registered with | Front |
| Degree title | The exact degree, such as MBA | Front |
| University | Who awards the degree | Front |
| Mode of study | How you studied, such as online | Back, must |
| Dates | When you joined and finished | Back, must |
| Exam centres | The addresses where you sat exams | Back, must |
| ID number and photo | A unique number, your photo and Aadhaar or another ID | Every degree |
Does the certificate say online?
Yes, on the back. UGC rules make the mode of study a must on the back of every online degree, certificate and marksheet.
The front is up to each university. The rules do not say what it must show, so it may or may not say online.
- The frontSet by each university. It may or may not say online.
- The backSet by UGC rules. It must show the mode of study, your dates and your exam centres.
How do I check the course is recognised?
Your online degree counts the same as a campus degree when two things are true. First, the degree is on UGC's official list of degree names, and an MBA is. Second, the university is recognised for that course in the session you join. Here is how to check the second part.
- Open the UGC-DEB listUse the list of recognised courses on the UGC-DEB site.
- Pick the year and sessionChoose the year and the session you will join, then the university.
- Find your courseRecognition lasts five years and is tied to a session, so check the session you join in.
Online and campus certificates compared
The 2020 UGC rules cover online and distance degrees only. That is why the back of an online degree follows a fixed pattern, while a campus degree does not have to.
| Detail | Online degree | Campus degree |
|---|---|---|
| Front | Set by the university | Set by the university |
| Mode of study | Must be on the back | Not covered by the 2020 rules |
| Dates and exam centres | Must be on the back | Not covered by the 2020 rules |
| ID number and photo | Must be on every degree | Not covered by the 2020 rules |
When do you get the final degree?
Your final degree is given at convocation, often 6 to 18 months after your result, and no rule sets a deadline. The good news is that you do not have to attend. Paying the convocation fee is what gets you the degree. At IGNOU it is ₹600 for a master's.
- Provisional certificateWidely accepted while you wait. WES accepts it for evaluation.
- ConvocationOften held once a year. Attending is not required.
- DigiLockerYour degree can arrive there only if your university has joined.
