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Frequently Asked Questions


Services / Academic Registry / Awards and Verification Portal / FAQs (Students)
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Frequently Asked Questions for Students

We hope you find these FAQs helpful and they provide answers to the questions you may have about the Awards and Verification Portal.    However, if your question is not answered here please email registrydigitaldocs@sunderland.ac.uk and one of the Awards Team will respond to your query as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions for Students

University of Sunderland Awards and Verification Portal Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the Awards and Verification Portal?

The Awards and Verification Portal (AVP) is an online system provided by the University of Sunderland (UoS) for ordering and sharing certificates, transcripts, and other awards documents securely with third parties like employers or universities. 

You must register here to use it: https://digitaldocs.sunderland.ac.uk.

User guides are here: User Guides

*If you are a Transnational Education (TNE) student studying at one of our overseas partner institutions, please refer to section 18 before reading any further.

  1. How do I receive my certificate after graduating?

You will receive an email with instructions following completion of your studies. Graduates receive a free digital certificate via the AVP. The first physical copy is also free of charge but must be ordered via the portal (postage costs apply).

Before ordering a physical copy of your certificate, it is the responsibility of the person making the request to check that all the details displayed are correct. Charges may apply for retrospective changes to documents. Please see our statement on Cancellations and Refunds here: *link TBC*

  1. Which email should I use for registration?

Always use a personal email to register rather than your university email. This ensures continued access once you no longer have access to your university email account after graduating.

Please check spam/junk folders if you don't receive a verification email after registering.

  1. What if I’ve already used my university email to register and can no longer access it?

From the AVP login page, from the menu at the top of the page, please click 'Transfer' and follow the steps presented. This will allow you to switch your account from your university email address to your personal email address and retain all the documents you have at that time in the AVP.

Please note that should you need to change a personal email address to a different personal email address, this must be done by emailing the Awards Team here: registrydigitaldocs@sunderland.ac.uk

  1. Registration requires a first and last name but I only use a single name, what do I do?

Enter a full stop (.) in the blank name field to proceed with registration.

  1. How do I log in?

Visit https://digitaldocs.sunderland.ac.uk and use your registered credentials. If you have already registered an account and your login appears not to be working, please do not register again and ensure you are using the correct details.

  1. How do I update my details or change my password?

As a user, only address details and passwords can be updated. Any information used to validate your original registration cannot be changed in the AVP.

If further changes are required, this must be requested via the Awards team who will inform you if this is possible. Please email here: registrydigitaldocs@sunderland.ac.uk

To change permitted details, go to Profile > Manage, update your details or password, and click Save.

  1. I have forgotten my password?

Click “Forgot my password” on the login page and follow the steps.

  1. What documents are available?

All documents are available in physical or digital format.

Students graduating from the UoS from 2024 onwards will automatically receive a digital certificate in the portal.  

Certificates awarded between 2004 and 2024 should also be issued digitally in the AVP but may require staff assistance to generate. If your digital certificate is not showing, please contact: registrydigitaldocs@sunderland.ac.uk

If you graduated prior to 2004 and require a replacement copy of your certificate, please contact: registrydigitaldocs@sunderland.ac.uk

You can also purchase transcripts and verification letters.

  1. Can I print/download my certificate or other documents from the AVP?

No. View-only access within the portal is granted to third parties of your choosing. This maximises document security and guarantees third parties authenticity of your documents.

  1. Why is my certificate is not displaying as I expect it to?

Please use Chrome or Firefox for the best view. Digital certificates are presented in landscape format for increased security. 

  1. How do I report an issue with my certificate or other documents?

From the Documents section, click View > Report to notify the Awards team.

  1. How long is my certificate available for in the AVP?

All digital certificates, and other documents purchased, are available in perpetuity.

  1. How do I share documents in the AVP with third parties?

Please refer to the above user guides. Go to Connections > Add Connection, set access duration, and share selected documents. Connections can be extended or cancelled at any time.

  1. Is there a charge for using the AVP?

Digital certificates are free, as is a graduate’s first physical copy of their certificate (please refer to section 2 above). All other documents are chargeable and postal charges will be incurred.

  1. Can I order replacement certificates/transcripts?

There can only be one valid degree certificate in existence at any time. Lost or damaged certificates can be reordered via the AVP for a fee.

Before placing an order, please read the following: Replacement Certificates

Current students can obtain a free transcript via e:Vision. Post-graduation, digital and/or physical transcripts can be ordered via the AVP for a fee.

Individuals requiring a document with additional information, such as course study dates, location of study and mode of study, a verification letter can be ordered via the AVP for a fee.

  1. Who do I contact if there is an error on my transcript or verification letter?

Current or recently graduated students with access to university systems should raise all such queries through our Gateway team via Compass, here: Compass login | The University of Sunderland 

Appealing an academic decision on your marks can only be done within a finite period of time following the initial publication of your results through e:Vision. Please refer to the UoS Academic Appeal Procedure.

  1. Can the World Education Service (WES) verify my awards information through AVP?

Yes. You must create a third party connection with WES via the AVP (please refer to section 13 above). Please use the email address submit@WES.org for the connection. WES are familiar with AVP and have successfully worked with many of our students through it already. Once your connection has been accepted by WES, you must still share the relevant documents with them to grant view-only access.

  1. I am a Transnational Education (TNE) student studying at an overseas partner institution, how do I receive my certificate?

Your certificate will be sent to your place of study for local distribution. Please contact them direct for details.