Digital certificates
Digital certificates in 2024
In 2024 we're introducing secure digital certificates for our exams worldwide with the option to order a paper certificate for a small charge.
We are doing this gradually between April and August. You can find out when we’ll be introducing digital certificates for your country in the tables below.
- When – digital certificates will be available at the same time as results.
- Security – the unique QR security code on the certificate links to a validation page.
- Paper certificates – are available to order for £3 or the equivalent in the currency for your country.
- Corrections – check the certificate and contact us to request small corrections if needed.
- Previous exams – digital certificates will also be available for previous exams booked through our current online booking service.
As an awarding organisation we have a responsibility to ensure that results and certificates are valid and secure. Digital certificates will help us to further safeguard our certificates against fraud and maintain standards and confidence in our exams.
- Digital certificates will be available more quickly than paper certificates.
- They are easy to download, print, store and share.
- The unique QR code on each certificate links to an online validation page confirming the candidate and exam details.
We also hope that by reducing transport and paper use, the introduction of digital certificates will help us to achieve our sustainability goals.
The person who booked the exam can access the digital certificate as soon as we release the results. Candidates with accounts will have access to their certificate and results seven days later.
To view a certificate:
- Log in to your ABRSM account.
- On your dashboard go to ‘My previous exams’. Click on the certificate icon next to the mark form.
- If there is mistake on the certificate, you can ask us to correct it: Contact us
Digital certificates include a QR code at the bottom. Anyone can scan the QR code to view the certificate validation page. This confirms:
- Candidate name and Contact ID
- Exam type
- Instrument/subject
- Grade/level
- Year of exam
- Result
You can order a paper certificate through your account for £3 or the equivalent currency for your country. The person who booked the exam can do this or the candidate if they have an account.
We will only issue one paper certificate. This will be available to the person who orders first.
Before ordering, check the digital certificate to make sure everything is correct. You can contact us to ask for small corrections. Corrections can take up to four weeks.
To order a paper certificate:
- On your dashboard, go to the bottom of the page and click: ‘Order printed certificate’.
- Use the search boxes to find the candidate/exam. If the boxes are empty, all your exam bookings will appear.
- Select the candidate/exam. Then click ‘Save’ at the bottom of the screen.
- On the ‘Order printed certificates’ page you will now see the exam under ‘Selected exams’.
- Click ‘Submit and pay’ at the bottom of the screen.
- On the ‘Summary’ screen check your order and add or edit your postal address.
- Select your payment method at the bottom of the screen and pay for your order.
In the UK you should receive your certificate in around two to three weeks. In all other countries it can take two to three months.
Your first paper certificate costs £3 or the equivalent in the currency for your country.
If you order an additional reprint this will cost £20 or the equivalent in the currency for your country. You can order reprints through your account.
The arrangements described above apply to Performance Grades, Practical Grades and Music Theory Grades.
Arrangements for other assessments are:
- Prep Test and Open Music Assessment (formerly Performance Assessment) – a paper certificate at the end of their assessment.
- New diplomas (including Performance ARSM) – a digital certificate and a paper certificate (automatically) at no additional charge.
- Previous diplomas (ending 2024) – a paper certificate only.
- Music Medals (UK only) – a digital certificate and a paper certificate with their medal at no additional charge.
We have four start dates for digital certificates:
4 April 2024
23 May 2024
18 July 2024
22 August 2024
Check the tables below to find the start date for your country.
If you make an exam booking on or after your start date, the candidate will receive a digital certificate with the option to buy a paper certificate.
Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macao - in addition, candidates who have booked a face-to-face exam in Session 2 (Malaysia and Hong Kong) or Session 1 (Macao) will also receive digital certificates.
Indonesia and Thailand - we introduced digital certificates in August 2023.
4 April 2024
| Africa | Caribbean | Europe | Southeast Asia | Southern Asia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana eSwatini Ghana Kenya Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Namibia Nigeria Seychelles Sierra Leone South Africa Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe | Anguilla Antigua & Barbuda Bahamas Barbados British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Dominica Dominican Republic Grenada Guyana Jamaica Saint Kitts & Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent & Grenadines Trinidad & Tobago | Andorra Austria Belgium Bulgaria Czechia Denmark Faroe Islands Finland France Germany Gibraltar Hungary Iceland Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Russia Serbia Slovakia Sweden | Brunei Darussalam The Philippines Taiwan | Bangladesh India Sri Lanka |
23 May 2024
| Australasia | Southeast Asia |
|---|---|
| Australia Fiji New Zealand | China Hong Kong, China Macao, China Malaysia |
18 July 2024
| Arab States | America | Europe |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain Egypt Jorda Kuwait Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia UAE | Belize Bermuda Canada Falkland Islands Mexico USA | Cyprus Greece Ireland Italy Portugal Spain Switzerland Turkey |
22 August 2024
| Southeast Asia | UK |
|---|---|
| Japan Korea Singapore Vietnam | All |
