Degree Certificates FAQs

for taught students

At the end of your degree you will be issued with a Degree Certificate which is official, formal, confirmation of your award.

This page has answers to some common questions about degree certificates for taught programmes.

For information about obtaining a recently issued degree certificate please visit Degree Certificates. For information about certificates for PhD programmes contact the PhD Academy

 

Do I get a degree certificate if I have a provisional classification?

If you are missing marks as a result of the marking and assessment boycott then we will not be able to make a final classification and thus will not produce a degree certificate. Instead, we will attempt to make an award with a provisional classification.

If you have enough marks for an award with a provisional classification we will issue you with an Digital Award Document, Interim Transcript and a letter explaining your circumstances. These will be PDF documents and will be sent to you by email. 

We will issue your hard copy degree certificate as soon as you have a full set set of marks and we're able to make a final classification. At this point we will explain the options for obtaining your certificate. 

How do I update my permanent home address for Degree Certificate delivery?

To update your home address, please visit this link: https://portal.lse.ac.uk/studentservices/s/personal-details.

Currently, due to a system issue, those students who have just concluded their academic programmes, especially in RDAP1 2024, may find themselves unable to modify their permanent address details for certificate dispatch.

We are addressing this issue and anticipate a resolution shortly. We advise revisiting in the latter part of the week commencing on the Monday 25 March for updates.

Can somebody else collect my certificate for me?

We are not able to release certificates to third parties, you must collect it yourself. 

If you cannot collect your certificate make your ceremony then your certificate will be sent by royal mail or secure courier. The vast majority of certificates arrive at their destination safely and in good time.

Do I need to take my certificate to my graduation ceremony?

No, you do not need your certificate for the ceremony and cannot take it on stage with you.

If possible, we recommend that you collect your certificate after the ceremony to avoid it getting lost or damaged. 

Can I get my certificate framed?

Tempest Photography offers a degree certificate framing service during the graduation ceremonies. They also offer an LSE degree certificate folder for those who are travelling abroad.

Please visit Ceremony Photography for information about locations and opening times.  

Can LSE provide me with a certified copy of my certificate?

To avoid fraud, LSE does not issue copies of degree certificates. As an alternative you can either share your transcript or request a confirmation of award letter.

If you need your award to be verified, please use the Higher Education Degree Data Check service.

If you need your physical certificate notarised, legalised or seen by an apostille you should contact either a solicitor, notary, apostille or your embassy as appropriate. LSE is not allowed to provide these services. 

Can LSE provide me with a digital copy of my certificate?

LSE does not issue digital copies of degree certificates.

If you require a digital document we would suggest that you share your transcript using Digitary. 

What should I do if I never received my degree certificate?

If you do not receive your degree certificate within eight weeks of graduation, please first check the address listed on LSE for You; this is the address we will have sent the certificate to. If the address is correct please submit an enquiry with your name and student number and we will investigate this for you.

Please do not contact us earlier than this, because it is likely that your certificate will still be in transit and we cannot search the delivery system properly. If you urgently need a document confirming your degree please request a confirmation of award.

How do I request a replacement degree certificate?

In exceptional circumstances, you can make an application for a replacement degree certificate if your first copy has been lost or damaged. 

A statutory declaration must be completed with replacement degree certificate requests. A magistrate, commissioner for oaths or practising solicitor will be able to sign this declaration. If you live overseas the declaration can be witnessed and signed by the British Embassy or Consulate. If you have any questions about obtaining a statutory declaration please contact the Notaries Society.

If you were awarded in 2008 or later, you should complete the Replacement Degree Certificate Request Form (which includes the declaration). Be sure to follow the instructions on the form carefully. 

If you were awarded before 2008 you certificate will have been issued by the University of London. To make an application for a replacement University of London degree certificate, please contact diploma.enquiries@london.ac.uk.

The following options are available for collection or delivery.  Please specify your chosen option on the form. 

  • You can collect it yourself from Student Services Centre in opening hours - we will let you know when it is ready to collect. It is not possible for somebody else to collect it on your behalf. 
  • We can post it to a UK address free of charge, using recorded delivery.
  • We can post it to an overseas address free of charge using standard airmail - this can take around one month or longer, and cannot be tracked.  We would not be able to investigate any packages that do not arrive. 
  • For a fee of £15, we can post it to an overseas address using a courier which can be tracked - this usually takes a week or less to most worldwide destinations.  If you would like us to use a courier service, please pay here and quote the payment reference when you submit your application via the enquiry form.  Please also put "COURIER" in the address box on the application form.