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Graduation certificate: the qualification certificate a university issues and registers

Unofficial entry · Sources checked

A graduation certificate (毕业证书) is the document a higher education institution issues when a student has completed the teaching plan, passed, and met the school's graduation requirements. Article 32 of Ministry of Education Order No. 41 sets out this rule, and Article 21 of Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42) names the graduation certificate in the duty to register it electronically. See also Universities and degrees on this site.

Definition

The official texts treat the graduation certificate and the degree certificate as separate documents. Under Article 32 of Order No. 41, the school grants graduation and issues the graduation certificate. The degree-granting unit issues the degree certificate when the conditions for conferring a degree are met.

What the official text says

The English below is this site's own translation of Chinese texts. Order No. 41 is the general regulation for students of regular higher education institutions.

Order No. 42 (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security), Article 21

  • A university issues academic qualification certificates (学历证书) or other academic certificates to international students in accordance with relevant national provisions.
  • For international students in higher academic education, the university shall promptly handle the electronic registration of their student status and graduation certificate (毕业证书).
  • A university issues degree certificates to international students who meet the conditions for conferring a degree.

Order No. 41 (Provisions on the Administration of Students in Regular Higher Education Institutions), Article 32

  • A student who completes the teaching plan within the school's study period, passes, and meets the school's graduation requirements: the school shall grant graduation and issue the graduation certificate before the student leaves campus.
  • A student who meets the conditions for conferring a degree: the degree-granting unit shall issue the degree certificate.
  • A student who completes the teaching plan early and earns the credits required for graduation may apply for early graduation. The school sets the conditions for early graduation.

Order No. 41, Article 33

  • A student who completes the teaching plan within the study period but does not meet the graduation requirements: the school may grant completion and issue a completion certificate (结业证书).
  • The school sets whether a student who has completed may retake examinations or courses, make up a graduation project, thesis or defence, and whether a graduation certificate or degree certificate is issued.
  • For a graduation certificate or degree certificate issued after the student qualifies, the graduation date and the degree date are written as the issue date.
  • For a student who withdraws, the school shall issue a certificate of withdrawal (肄业证书) or a factual study record (写实性学习证明).

Order No. 41, Article 34

  • The school shall fill in and issue academic qualification certificates, degree certificates and other academic certificates strictly according to the type of school and study mode set at enrolment, and the personal information the student gave at admission.
  • A change to personal information on a certificate, such as name or date of birth, requires a reasonable and sufficient reason and legally valid supporting documents.
  • The school reviews the change. Where verification is needed, the provincial education administrative department of the student's home place and other relevant departments shall cooperate.

Order No. 41, Article 35

  • The school shall implement the electronic registration system for student status and academic qualifications in higher education, improve its information management, and complete the registration in time.

Order No. 41, Article 37

  • A student who obtained admission or student status in breach of national enrolment rules: the school shall cancel the student status and shall not issue an academic qualification certificate or degree certificate. Certificates already issued shall be revoked according to law.
  • A certificate obtained through cheating, plagiarism, copying or other improper means: the school shall revoke it according to law.
  • A revoked certificate that has already been registered: the school shall cancel the registration and report it to the education administrative department for a declaration of invalidity.

Order No. 41, Article 38

  • If an academic qualification certificate or degree certificate is lost or damaged, the school shall issue a certificate of proof after verifying the request made by the holder. The certificate of proof has the same effect as the original.

Related terms

  • Academic qualification certificate (学历证书)
  • Degree certificate (学位证书)
  • Completion certificate (结业证书)
  • Certificate of withdrawal (肄业证书) and factual study record (写实性学习证明)
  • Electronic registration of student status and academic qualifications (高等教育学籍学历电子注册)
  • Certificate of proof (证明书)

Sources

Checked 11 October 2026.

This entry is an unofficial summary, is not legal or immigration advice, and is not published by the bodies named. If the official text differs from this summary, the official text and the instructions of the body handling your case prevail.

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