I lost my degree, please help

Posted by maxferl@yahoo.com (292 days ago)

I was educated in china and currently working in china, last month, I lost my degree certificate (diploma), including all other my documents, I asked my university to reissue /replace my degree certificate, but the university office told me that they can only give me certificate which shows that I have attended in their college and graduated, but, they don’t offer any new or a replacement degree certificate, so how dose this work? How does this affect my future job prospect in china? More importantly is this certificate acceptable out of china?as I am not chinese.
Almost a month passed no sleep, no apptite please what should I do?


Thank you.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by GreenValleys (292 days ago)

I think that's fairly common practice - and not just in China. You just have to live with it. Didn't you have copies filed somewhere else (e.g. where you keep copies of all other important documents)? The replacement certificate should be OK for future use, although a prospective employer is likely to be more likely to contact the uni to check on the authenticity - although cannot talk with any authority in what might happen in China (where things often happen differently). Get some sleep & start eating again - it's not the end of the world.

(I am based in Jakarta)

Posted by Oski (292 days ago)

I have lost my university diploma many years ago. (almost as soon as I received it.) All I had was the copy of a letter from my university confirming I received my degree on such such date. I have never had a problem with any of my employers, and I have had many of them. It helped that I graduated from a well known US university, which anyone can easily call and check. So I suggest you get your letter certified, and keep the university registra office's address and phone number handy in case any future employer needs to check.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by maxferl@yahoo.com (292 days ago)

Thanks green valleys and oski.
My major concern is weather I can be admitted for any graduate school and/or can I practice my profession out of china with just a single white paper with stamp on it? as they told me they will write on normal A4 paper and give it to me.


To my knowledge in most of countries they do replace the degrees; I just don’t know weather this thing is going to bring my career to an end. my whole seven years of hard working. I dont know, I am still inshock.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by Saikunga (290 days ago)

I have never had to produce a copy of the actual degree parchment for any job - always transcripts of the course. In fact my parchments are framed and on a wall - a bit hard to stick in a resume. (I do have copies though just in case)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by GreenValleys (290 days ago)

Normal A4??? I assume that means no letterhead? If so then that's a bit rude of them, and totally unprofessional in my view. Probably nothing you could do about it, though. But if it IS on official letterhead then that's probably the best you could hope for.

(I am based in Jakarta)

Posted by tigerbay (288 days ago)

My university in the UK cannot offer a duplicate, or replacement for lost ceritficates. Oddly they will replace if stolen, at a fee. Or I can have one etched in copper for a bigger fee.

I have a photocopy of a fax sent to an employer, confirming my degree. I have never had a problem.

If you are doing a post grad course admissions will be sympathetic and it is easy for them to check with the institution.

When your university says they will send confirmation on plain paper, I think they mean on letter headed paper. I think they are trying to say it will not be a certificate.
When they 'write' they probably mean typed. And if you are thinking of going overseas then get it notorized as suggested.

Also the offer to pay money for the time and effort works wonders.

You also have to ask the right questions.
Can I have a new certificate is the wrong question.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by Saikunga (281 days ago)

You could always mention a fire gutted your place and you need your certificate replaced due to smoke and fire and water damage - or it is incinerated....not much that can be done then other than 'replace' it.

(I am based in Hong Kong)