# DIGIZ.NRW - Tamper-proof Digital Graduation Certificates

> DIGIZ.NRW is a field test by the Ministry of Education of North Rhine-Westphalia for creating tamper-proof digital graduation certificates using blockchain technology. Around 130 schools with graduation classes as well as three universities and the Foundation for University Admissions participate in the test. The project combines blockchain technology with digital signatures from the Federal Printing Office to make certificate authenticity verifiable.

**Sector:** Tertiary sector · **Industry:** Schools and universities · **Organisation:** Ministerium für Schule und Bildung des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bundesdruckerei, drei Hochschulen · **Maturity level:** Pilot

Canonical URL: https://www.sapientblock.com/en/use-cases/ministerium-fuer-schule-bildungsnachweise-digital-ausstellen

## Documentation status

- **Project status:** Pilot
- **Evidence:** Evidence high
- **Editorial review:** Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026

## Description

The NRW Ministry of School and Education (MSB NRW) developed an approach for blockchain-secured school certificates as part of the DIGIZ programme (Digital Certificate). NRW is Germany's most populous federal state and thus has the greatest influence on setting standards for digital educational documents.

Traditional school certificates are paper-based, easily forged, and difficult to verify — universities and companies cannot instantly verify Abitur certificates. The DIGIZ programme NRW aims for fully digital school certificates: schools issue digital certificates signed with the school's cryptographic key; the timestamp is anchored on the blockchain; graduates receive their certificate in their digital wallet. Hochschulstart.de (Foundation for University Admission) evaluated how digital certificates can be integrated into the university admission process — instead of submitting certificate copies, applicants would simply verify their digital certificate token. Handwerksblatt reported extensively on the NRW blockchain certificate initiative as a model for craft vocational qualifications. Compatibility: NRW's approach is compatible with EU EBSI standards and Europass Digital Credentials.

## Benefits

- Cost reduction through elimination of manual certification processes and accelerated application procedures.
- Fast and straightforward use of digital certificates in applications without waiting times or postal delivery.
- Tamper-proof certificates through blockchain technology and cryptographic methods.
- Simplification of certificate management through digitisation and automation of processes.
- Immediate verification of authenticity without manual checks or enquiries with issuers.
- Relief from administrative routine tasks and more time for educational or strategic duties.

## Challenges

- Investments in IT infrastructure and staff training are required for implementation.
- Integration into existing school administration systems requires technical adjustments and training.
- Acceptance of the new technology by all involved stakeholders must be ensured.
- Adaptation to new digital workflows and learning the new technology is necessary.

## Technology foundation

The project uses blockchain technology combined with digital signatures from Bundesdruckerei to create immutable certificates. The blockchain acts as a decentralized register where the authenticity of certificates is verifiably stored without a central authority.

## Sources

- [Handwerksblatt - NRW setzt bei Zeugnissen auf Blockchain-Technologie](https://www.handwerksblatt.de/betriebsfuehrung/nrw-setzt-bei-zeugnissen-auf-blockchain-technologie)
- [Ministerium für Schule und Bildung NRW - DIGIZ](https://apps.schulministerium.nrw.de/BiPo/digiz/)
- [Hochschulstart.de - Aktuelles zum digitalen Zeugnis (Archivversion)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260316111606/https://www.hochschulstart.de/aktuelles-1?tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=44&cHash=ab93e21231c072000f7d1671fb7bfdbd)