How the University of Oxford is Securely Transforming Degree Certification with Advanced Secures Digital Certificate System
The University of Oxford, one of the world’s most respected academic institutions, has long recognised the importance of protecting the integrity of its awards. In recent years, it has partnered with Advanced Secure Technologies to modernise the way it issues degree certificates and transcripts – balancing the need for security and efficiency with a commitment to tradition and reputation.
Accelerated by the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, this collaboration has delivered a secure, digital-first certification system that now serves tens of thousands of graduates each year. The platform has enhanced fraud prevention, reduced administrative burdens and supported Oxford’s sustainability goals. Just as importantly, it has transformed the student experience by providing graduates with faster, easier and more reliable access to their credentials – ensuring a higher quality of service across the university’s global community while simplifying the management and provision of hard-copy documents as well.
Key Outcomes from Implementation
- Strengthened security – Multi-layered protection and fraud prevention for Oxford’s credentials and reputation.
- Enhanced student experience – Instant digital access and sharing, with traditional paper options preserved.
- Operational efficiency & revenue growth – Reduced print demand, lower admin costs, and surplus reinvested in student experience.
Oxford’s Imperative
Protecting Reputation Through Secure Certification
For centuries, the University of Oxford has conferred degrees that stand as symbols of intellectual achievement and social trust. Each certificate and transcript is more than a record of study; it is an affirmation of the integrity of the institution itself.
Yet in 2020, as the pandemic forced administrative teams to leave the office, the University faced a critical challenge. Traditional processes of printing and mailing degree documents were suspended, leaving many students without confirmation of their qualifications.
This presented both immediate and longer-term risks. Graduates required documentation to pursue employment, visas and postgraduate study. At the same time, Oxford needed to ensure that a solution would increase its ability to protect the value of its degrees against the growing global threat of document fraud.
What was needed was more than a stopgap. University of Oxford required a partner with the right security credentials, capable of delivering an urgent solution that could also evolve into a sustainable and integrated model for the future.
During the pandemic period, given students had no degree confirmation letter, transcript, or certificate, this was going to pose a significant issue as the summer progressed.
– Jeremy Welch, Head of Technology Developments in Student Administration
The Solution
A Strategic Partnership with Advanced Secure Technologies
Oxford selected Advanced Secure Technologies following a review of potential providers. While other solutions offered digital delivery, they lacked the breadth and integration Oxford required – particularly the ability to incorporate secure paper certificates and print into a digital-first framework.
Advanced Secure’s approach began with urgency. Within weeks, the University deployed a secure hosted platform to issue and manage degree confirmation letters, ensuring graduates were not disadvantaged by the disruption. Building on that foundation, the partnership expanded to deliver a comprehensive solution that now includes:
- Verified digital transcripts and certificates accessible via secure, branded online portals.
- Blockchain-enabled paper certificates with advanced fraud prevention features.
- Print on-demand capability to maintain ceremonial traditions.
- Third-party document sharing through the “Connections” feature enabling graduates to connect and share secure credentials with employers and institutions worldwide.
- Collaborative development, with Oxford University representatives actively contributing to Advanced Secure’s User Group meetings to shape the platform’s roadmap.
The Advanced Secure team were approachable, responsive, and described a vision compatible with what we needed. The User Group meetings are genuinely used to acquire, and evaluate, user requirements for the system. – Jeremy Welch
The Impact
System Performance at a Glance (since 2023)
Enhancing Security & Protecting Reputation
University of Oxford degrees are globally recognised, making them potentially high-value targets for fraudulent attacks.
Working with Advanced Secure, the University has minimised this risk by introducing an array of security layers and fraud prevention technologies that protect the Oxford University brand, degrees awarded, and reputation:
- Digital Certificates® (Secure digital credential platform) – An end-to-end secure, branded environment for credential management, issuance, access, sharing, connections, verifications, print requests, orders and payment – only available on the official website domain of the University of Oxford.
- Blockchain Paper (Secure paper stock) – Designed so that anyone, anywhere using a smartphone, can easily authenticate that the paper is the secure certificate and transcript of the University of Oxford.
We are reassured that the increased security features on the certificate and the secure nature of the online branded portals have reduced risks to the University of Oxford. – Jeremy Welch
Transforming the Student and Alumni Experience
The platform has redefined the way graduates’ access and share their documentation:
- Alumni are increasingly using the “Connections” feature to share credentials securely with third parties.
- Paper certificates are retained for ceremonies, respecting student expectations and University of Oxford traditions.
The ready access to both digital and paper documents is an obvious benefit to our graduates. Many students, particularly non-home students, value a paper certificate; and we continue to provide this.
– Preeyaa Fairley, Degree Conferrals Manager
Achieving Operational and Financial Efficiencies
Digital-first issuance has delivered measurable benefits:
- Between 2023 and mid-2025: print-copy orders fell by half, reducing reliance on postal services, further supporting Oxford’s sustainability initiatives.
- Lower postage and printing costs alongside reduced administrative effort.
- Optimum student experience for accessing qualifications digitally.
While the University has maintained dedicated staff to manage the system, overall, the efficiencies and value of the solution have far outweighed the additional resourcing requirements.
The Partnership
A Partnership Built on Trust, Collaboration and Innovation
The relationship between Oxford University and Advanced Secure Technologies has extended beyond implementation to become a strategic collaboration. Together, we continue to refine the Digital Certificates® system, addressing new challenges and incorporating additional functionality that responds to evolving institutional needs.
We would recommend Advanced Secure as a partner in the area of secure online and paper documentation. We have found the team to be dedicated, proactive in suggesting improvements to our processes and usage, as well as acting on our own suggestions and feature requests.
– Preeyaa Fairley
Conclusion
A Blueprint for Secure, Modern Certification
The University of Oxford’s experience shows how even the most historic institutions can embrace digital transformation while preserving centuries-old traditions. Working in partnership with Advanced Secure Technologies, University of Oxford has established a certification ecosystem that is secure, accessible and aligned with its sustainability commitments – yet one that continues to honour the prestige and ceremonial significance of its awards.
For senior leaders in higher education responsible for protecting institutional reputation while enhancing the student experience, University of Oxford’s journey offers both reassurance and a forward-looking model. It demonstrates that with the right partner, universities can modernise certification processes with confidence – delivering efficiency, resilience and trust for all stakeholders.
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