Certified True Copy of Degree Certificate for University Admission

Certified Copies for University Applications

If a university admissions office has asked for a certified true copy of degree certificate for university admission, this page explains what that involves, who needs it and when full attestation is also required.

Who Typically Needs This

• Applicants pursuing a master’s, PhD or postgraduate diploma in the UAE
• Applicants applying to universities outside the UAE who need their prior degree certified as part of the application
• Working professionals returning to further study who need to submit proof of an earlier qualification
• Parents or guardians coordinating admission documents for a dependent
• Education agents and consultants assembling application packs on behalf of a student

Who Should Attend

The certificate holder should attend in person with the original degree certificate, since the licensed legal professional needs to examine the original before certifying the copy. If attending in person is not possible, a representative may be able to submit the documents for you. Education agents handling this for a student should confirm whether the student needs to attend personally for this particular document.

How It Works

1. Get in touch with Certified True Copy Dubai and tell us which university and country the certified copy is for.
2. Bring the original degree certificate and your ID to your appointment.
3. The document is examined and certified in house by one of our own licensed lawyers or legal consultants.
4. Collect your certified true copy, or ask about coordinating full attestation if the destination university requires it.
5. Submit the certified (and, where required, attested) document as part of your university application.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming a certified true copy is enough for an overseas university when full attestation is actually required
• Starting the process too close to the application deadline, especially where full attestation is needed
• Not checking the specific requirements of the destination country and university, which vary
• Submitting a certified copy of transcripts without also certifying the degree certificate itself, or vice versa
• Using a degree certificate that is damaged or has unclear seals, which can complicate certification

Typical Situations

A UAE-based graduate applies for a master’s program at a local university and is asked to submit a certified true copy of their undergraduate degree as part of the application file.

A professional applying to a postgraduate program overseas learns during the application process that the university needs the degree fully attested, not just certified, and needs to plan for both steps.

A parent coordinates certified copies of a returning student’s prior qualifications ahead of a new academic year application.

Certification Alone or Full Attestation Too

This page covers certified copies of degree certificates specifically for university admission, which sits within the broader Certified True Copy of Educational Certificates & Degrees hub. For UAE-based admissions, a certified true copy is often sufficient on its own. For admissions outside the UAE, many universities require the degree to go through full attestation, meaning the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and sometimes an embassy, in addition to certification. Because requirements differ by country and institution, confirm directly with the university before assuming a certified copy alone will be accepted.