The following official documents provide written evidence of your academic studies at BU, and you will need them in the future when applying for jobs, visa requirements and further study.
Make sure you keep your contact details up to date so we can send your documents to you.
If you need proof of the qualification you achieved with us, or need a reference, we can issue documentation or provide other confirmation directly.
Award certificates
Award certificates or degree certificates are issued upon successful completion of a qualification at Bournemouth University.
If you did not collect your certificate at graduation and did not register to receive it by post either, we can send it to you.
Results and transcripts
At the end of each academic year, you are issued with a summary of results via email. If you require an official transcript, please read the information below. Please note, we are only able to provide transcripts for courses that were started after 1 January 2005. An official Bournemouth University Transcript will be printed on BU headed paper with security features which include a hologram.
Diploma supplement
The Diploma Supplement is an official document of the university, issued to all graduates after successful completion of a taught award. (They are not relevant if you completed a research degree such as an MRes or a PhD). They describe the qualification achieved using a standard format that is shared across the European Union, outlining the programme content and providing a full transcript of the units studied and marks obtained.
Following graduation, your Diploma Supplement will be emailed to your BU email address as a PDF attachment in late November. You may wish to show your Diploma Supplement to employers or other education providers in future, so please keep it safe.
We no longer issue Diploma Supplements in hard copy because electronic versions are widely accepted in the UK. If you require a hard copy transcript, please visit our transcript request webpages.
Confirmation of Study
If you are a third party (such as an employer, agency and embassy)
Third-party enquirers such as employers, agencies and embassies must verify attendance and awards of a past/current student with Prospects Hedd. A HEDD verification confirms the candidate’s name, qualification type, course name, year of award, classification obtained and dates of attendance.
Please visit Prospects Hedd to register. There is a small charge for each enquiry, and you must provide the written consent of the individual.
If you require further assistance, please email [email protected].
If you are a past student or Local Council
Email [email protected] to request a confirmation of study letter. You will need to provide the following information:
- Full name at the time of study
- Date of birth
- Course/s studied
- Period of study and/or year of award
- Student ID (if known).
Academic References
An academic reference is provided by a member of academic staff who can assess a student’s academic performance, attendance, character, and overall suitability for a role. Typically, this reference is written by a personal tutor, programme leader, or framework leader.
In most cases, a HEDD verification or confirmation of study letter is sufficient. Academic references should only be requested when the specific insight of an academic is necessary.
Please note that Bournemouth University is unable to issue academic references for studies completed more than three years ago.
If you are a third party (such as an employer, agency or embassy)
Email [email protected] with the student’s details. We will then provide you with the contact information for the most appropriate faculty.
When contacting the faculty, you must include a copy of the student’s signed consent authorising the release of their information. This consent must:
- Include the student’s full name, date of birth and signature
- Be dated within the last six months
- Clearly state their authorisation for the release of information.
If you are a past student
You will need to contact your former faculty directly to request an academic reference. Please provide them with the following information:
- Full name at the time of study
- Date of birth
- Course/s studied
- Period of study and/or year of award
- Student ID (if known).
If you are unsure of the contact details for your former faculty, please email [email protected], and we will be happy to provide this information.
Replacement copies
If you received your certificate but it has since been damaged, lost or stolen, you can request a replacement copy.
When making requests for any evidence of previous study, please complete the BU Replacement Document Online Form.
Further study
For enquiries about returning to study at BU, have a look at our information on postgraduate study or short courses.
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