A Provisional Degree Certificate is an official document issued by a university or college to confirm that a student has successfully completed their degree, even before the final degree certificate is awarded. It serves as temporary proof of graduation and is widely accepted for job applications, higher studies, or study abroad admissions. The certificate usually includes details such as the student’s name, course, duration, and completion date. In this blog, we will explain the Provisional Degree Certificate format, its uses, and provide samples and writing tips to help students and graduates.
This Blog Includes:
- What is a Provisional Degree Certificate?
- Provisional Degree Format
- How to Get a Provisional Degree Certificate?
- Application for Provisional Degree Certificate
- Are Degree Certificates and Provisional Certificates the Same?
- What is the purpose of a Provisional Certificate?
- Is the Certificate Valid for Study/Work Opportunities Abroad?
- Is the Certificate Valid for a Student Visa?
- FAQs
What is a Provisional Degree Certificate?
A Provisional Degree Certificate is a temporary document issued by universities or colleges until the final degree certificate is made available. It officially confirms that the student has completed all academic requirements and successfully passed the course. This certificate is often required for applying to jobs, pursuing postgraduate studies, or submitting documents for study abroad applications. Unlike the final degree, which may take months to be issued, the provisional certificate acts as valid proof of graduation during the waiting period.
Provisional Degree Format
With an aim to not deprive any student of pursuing higher education or applying for a job, a provisional certificate is issued by scores of universities across the world. Enlisted are the details that are broadly covered in an interim degree:
- Details of the degree program pursued by an individual.
- Student name, enrollment ID, and department/college name.
- Passing year and the distinction/CGPA obtained.
- Signature and stamp of the concerned authority along with date and place of issue.

Also Read: Application for Bonafide Certificate: Format and Samples
How to Get a Provisional Degree Certificate?
You need to get in touch with their academic institution to apply for a provisional degree certificate. The process of issuing the certificate might differ from one university to another, as some might provide you with the provisional in a couple of days while others might take longer. But institutions usually make the certificate available in three months while the degree gets issued in a year or two.
If you are aiming to go for higher education or applying for a job, the concerned institution will require you to provide a provisional certificate to prove that you have completed a certain degree. In this case, you need to contact the administration department of your university and fill out an application to get a provisional document. Depending upon the institution, you will be issued this certificate somewhere within a week to a month.
Application for Provisional Degree Certificate
In order to apply for the certificate, a university generally provides students with an application form to fill in their details. The application form for a Provisional Degree Certificate varies from one university to another. If you are not provided with a form by your university, here is the application format to apply for a provisional degree certificate:

Delhi University Provisional Certificate
Delhi University is a central university of India and encompasses many colleges spread across the capital city. A provisional degree is issued by the central university before it issues an original degree. The former acts as valid proof of passing and contains all the details from the name of the college, degree, marks obtained and the division. Here is the application for the Delhi University provisional degree:

AKTU Provisional Degree Certificate
Here is the application form to apply for a provisional degree certificate at AKTU:

Courtesy: https://aktu.ac.in/downloads-archieve.html
Bangalore University
Here is the application form to apply for a provisional degree certificate at Bangalore University:

Courtesy: https://bangaloreuniversity.ac.in/application-forms/
IIT Mandi Provisional Degree Certificate
A household name, IIT Mandi is one of the most popular amongst the list of IITs. Just like scores of other universities both in India and abroad, IITs also have their own set procedure for issuing degrees to its students. Here are a few points you need to remember:
- The certificate is issued to those students who satisfy the criteria for the award of a degree.
- Those who want a provisional degree certificate should have cleared all their pending dues.
- The application for the same has to be submitted to the Deans’ Secretariat [Kamand Campus].
- It should include the graduate’s name, roll number, pho
- For applications related to the issuance of duplicate certificates, the form has to be sent to the Assistant Registrar. To understand the process of obtaining an original degree certificate.
Also Read: Medium of Instruction Certificate
Are Degree Certificates and Provisional Certificates the Same?
No, the former is different from a degree certificate. In terms of its validity, application process as well as when it is provided. Here is how a degree certificate is different from a provisional certificate:
| Provisional Certificate | Degree Certificate |
| It is temporary in nature | It is permanent |
| One has to submit an application for the issue of a provisional certificate | No prior application is needed. It is issued by the university on convocation or a day specified |
| It is valid for a period of 6 months or until convocation | Since it’s a formal degree, there are no validity criteria for a degree certificate |
What is the purpose of a Provisional Certificate?
When you are applying for higher studies either in India or to start a career abroad or for a job, academic records play a pivotal part throughout the process. To understand the need for a provisional degree certificate, gauge through the following points:
- A degree is a document that establishes how you have successfully completed a particular academic course or program and also acts as proof of how you have completed the base-level education in your chosen field. However, it takes some time to be issued by any university, which is why there is always a need for a document that can take its place temporarily.
- Therefore, it is dispensed for a small period of time in place of the academic degree and assures those trying to hire you or give you admission to the fact that you have successfully cleared all the levels of the mentioned course or program. This way, it is an important document for recent graduates of a program and for admission boards or hiring institutions trying to assess their academic background.
Is the Certificate Valid for Study/Work Opportunities Abroad?
There are several documents required when you are planning to study abroad which are as follows:
1. Entrance Test Scores
2. Application form from the University
3. Academic Certificates:
| Grade Transcripts and Certificates of 10th Std | Grade Transcripts and Certificates of 12th Std |
| Diploma Certificates and Transcripts | Bachelor’s Degree and Transcripts |
| Master’s Degree and Transcripts |
However, for usage in UAE, an Indian degree needs to be attested from the country the candidate wishes to study. In other countries, the attestation can be done from the country it is issued from. But, the degree is important as any institute around the world will definitely require the degree at some point in time later.
A provisional certificate is quite essential for jobs as well as higher studies applications. It is quite easy to apply for this Certificate and you can receive it quickly to move to the next step of your career. Most of the time, it is accompanied by the last semester’s mark sheet.
Is the Certificate Valid for a Student Visa?
For a student visa, the document is valid. Candidates are required to submit a bunch of documents to apply for a visa & some applications may require you to furnish a certificate. Foreign universities and countries allow students to apply for a programme and student visa with provisional documents with the understanding that candidates can submit the original documents to the sponsoring university at a later date.
These are some of the academic documents needed when you are applying to an institute. However, in case your degree has not been issued, you can make use of the provisional certificate to apply. It can be used for any purpose that requires the submission of a degree copy.
Also Read: School Leaving Certificate: Format, Samples & Writing Tips
FAQs
Ans: It is a temporary certificate provided by the educational institution to students completing their graduation. It remains valid until a permanent degree is issued only on the next convocation. A Provisional Certificate is usually valid for a period of 6 months or until the date of convocation, whichever comes earlier. This document can be used until the original certificate is issued at various platforms like jobs and admissions.
Ans: Every academic institution has its own process for issuing the provisional degree certificate to the graduates. You need to inquire at your university about the same and apply for the certificate at their concerned department. Commonly, the document is provided within a week of the application and remains valid until convocation.
Ans: As long as the candidate does not receive their original certificates, they can use the provisional certificate at the time of admission, jobs, etc. However, once the official document is issued, a provisional one can not be used. Usually, provisional certificates are valid for a period of three to six months as the university or college issues an original document during this duration.
Relatable Reads
This was all about the Provisional Degree Certificate, its format, uses, and samples. With the right certificate, students can easily apply for jobs, higher education, or study abroad while waiting for their final degree. For more such helpful guides on courses, careers, and study abroad options, make sure to check out the Leverage Edu blog and stay updated.
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I was going through the process after complete my graduation form India and I was planning to shift to abroad for the masters in Abroad that certificate helped me a lot even after completion of my masters. I easily got the job with the help of certificate.
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After getting the provisional certificate the degree comes free or we have to pay for i
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It’s free!
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5 comments
I was going through the process after complete my graduation form India and I was planning to shift to abroad for the masters in Abroad that certificate helped me a lot even after completion of my masters. I easily got the job with the help of certificate.
After getting the provisional certificate the degree comes free or we have to pay for i
It’s free!
It was a very good article however have doubt regarding France student VISA. Is provisional Degree required for France VISA if Campus France issued NOC without the same
I need provisional certificate