University of Otago official academic documents
The following official academic documents can be provided in digital format:
- Qualification certificate (testamur)
- Official transcript
- Statement of completed qualifications (PDF only)
- Enrolment Status letter (PDF only)
There are a few ways to check the authenticity of a University of Otago graduate and their qualifications, depending on the format of the document.
Viewing digital documents via My eQuals
From October 2017, Otago students or graduates can provide access to a third party to view their official digital documents through the My eQuals portal. This guarantees the document's authenticity as only accredited universities from Australia and New Zealand can issue documents through My eQuals. Students and graduates cannot upload or modify their documents.
What to look for:
Online: A student or graduate can provide you with a link, directing you to their official academic documents. Check that you are viewing documents through the My eQuals portal - the link should start with https://myequals.net or https://myequals.ac.nz
PDF file: Certified documents viewed in Adobe Acrobat Reader have a blue ribbon above the document stating: "Certified by the University of Otago... all signatures are valid." Documents that have been tampered with or modified show a red X and an error message in the blue ribbon.
When viewing documents online, ensure you are using the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (not your browser), while connected to the internet. Slow internet speed may limit Acrobat Reader's ability to verify the document's signature.
Printed: Digital documents can only be guaranteed when viewed online through the My eQuals portal, using the link provided to you by the student.
Document security features
The University of Otago's security features for documents differ, depending on the document type and when it was issued.
Qualification certificates (testamurs) have:
- The University seal embossed into the lower left corner of the yellow certificate paper. The seal is in red.
- The University logo in colour between the words 'University' and 'of Otago', centred at the top of the certificate.
- The graduates legal name at the time the certificate was conferred/awarded.
- The award name of the qualification
- Major or endorsement subject(s) for applicable qualifications
- The date conferred/awarded
- A certificate number (each certificate has a unique identification number)
- Signatures of the Registrar and Chancellor in office on that date
Official transcripts have:
- A banner at the top of each page consisting of three sections: a light blue section across the top; a wide blue section with "TRANSCRIPT OF ACADEMIC RECORD" printed in white; and a smaller gold section containing the University of Otago logo in black text with the gold background visible behind the logo and text
- The University shield within a circle as a watermark in the lower left two-thirds of each page
- Full legal name, student ID number, and date of birth
- Entrance qualification
- Qualification(s) completed, including date completed/conferred (if applicable)
- Qualification(s) in progress (if applicable)
- Scholarships or prizes awarded (if applicable and excluding Departmental awards)
- Course of study for each year, including:
- Programme(s) taken
- Full-time or part-time status and enrolled dates
- Papers taken, with the corresponding academic points, final percentage mark and grade awarded for each
- Grade Point Average
- Information on enrolments prior to 1993 (if applicable)
- "----End of Transcript----" following the last transcript detail
- A certified correct digital signature by the Registrar, and the date the transcript was printed
- In the footer of each page, page numbers to the left, students name and ID printed to the right
- A "KEY TO GRADES AND ABBREVIATIONS" on the final page when viewed digitally or for hard copy on the reverse side of the transcript paper
Statement of completed qualifications have:
- The student's full legal name
- The award name of the qualification(s) completed
- Major or endorsement subject(s)
- The date(s) those qualification(s) were completed and conferred (as appropriate). Note: if the statement was generated after the student had applied to graduate but before their ceremony takes place, it will note the date on which the qualification is to be conferred/awarded.
- A footnote stating that "English is the standard language of instruction at the University of Otago"
Verification of qualifications via the Graduate Database
The University of Otago Graduate Database allows the identification of those who have graduated from the University (including those who have been awarded diplomas or certificates) since 1977.
Note:
- Only those who have formally graduated from the University of Otago (either at a public ceremony or in absentia) are included in this database
- Graduates will normally be listed only under their official legal name as at their date of graduation
- Anyone who graduated prior to 1977 will not be included in this database
- Students who have completed a qualification, but not yet graduated are not included in this database
- Graduates of the Dunedin College of Education are not included in this database. DCE qualifications awarded prior to 2007 can be verified by contacting the Student Records Office using the email link below
Enquiries about a person:
- who you believe has formally graduated from the University, but whose name is not listed in the database; or
- in relation to the qualifications of a student who has not yet graduated,
can be made to the Student Records Office using the email link below, to which any requests for correction can also be made.
Information in relation to a student who has not yet graduated and any more detailed information regarding an individual's qualifications, are only able to be provided with authorisation from the person concerned.
Email the Student Records Office
Graduate Database - Conditions of use
Access to search this database is available on the following Conditions of Use, which must be read before you continue.
The University of Otago has used all reasonable endeavours to ensure that information available in this database is accurate and up-to-date.
However the information is provided in good faith on a best endeavours basis without any warranty as to its completeness or accuracy. Formal confirmation of details should be obtained from, or with the consent of, the individual involved and the University does not accept responsibility for any reliance placed on the information contained in this database.