VivaPass®: Restoring Confidence in Academic Achievement
In recent years, the integrity of university qualifications has been challenged like never before. Artificial intelligence tools, contract cheating services, an overreliance on coursework, and rising grade inflation have all contributed to a growing concern: Can employers and stakeholders trust that a graduate truly understands their field?
Contrast this with the academic rigor of the past. Centuries ago, earning a degree at prestigious institutions like Oxford required candidates to pass demanding public oral examinations with their professors—guaranteeing a deep, personal mastery of subject matter. Today, however, resource constraints mean most universities simply cannot offer such individualized assessments at scale.
As a result, traditional degree verification—which confirms only that a credential was awarded—offers no insight into what a graduate actually knows. Diplomas alone, in today’s environment, are no longer enough.
Introducing VivaPass®
VivaPass®, created in partnership with the International Vocational and Educational Qualifications Authority (IVEQA) and IPSQA, is redefining how graduate knowledge is certified. VivaPass is an independent, subject-specific oral 1-2 hour assessment, administered by a panel of at least two doctoral-level expert academics (IPSQA Examiners), that verifies a graduate’s real understanding of their field—consistent to what is shown on their transcript. The oral defence is recorded and made available publicly where the student has passed, to ensure transparency and social-verification of their knowledge. At least one of the examiners must be domiciled outside of the candidate’s country as part of our Foreign Interference Protection (FIP).
VivaPass® through IPSQA is available for a public safety or releated degree or graduate qualification (IQF Level 7 or above) from a recognised institution, including:
- Bachelor Degree
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
- Masters Degree
VivaPass® is not available for Associate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas or Certificates, or Doctoral Degrees.
How VivaPass® stands apart:
Independent Assessment: Unlike traditional verification, VivaPass® confirms mastery of the curriculum content, not just genuine issuance of a testamur.
The reality is most recognised institutions now have online verification such as MyEQuals that is more cost effective, immediate and robust than traditional manual processes such as the Apostille Convention developed over 60 years ago). So the issue is no longer the issue of whether the institution has awarded the qualification, but whether the student completed their qualification using unfair means without being detected.
Academic Integrity Assurance: VivaPass® provides employers with confidence that a graduate’s knowledge is genuine—not reliant on unauthorized use of Artficial Intelliegence or academic misconduct.
Adapted for Today’s Needs: While traditionally reserved for doctoral candidates, the rigorous “viva voce” oral exam is now brought to undergraduate and professional degree holders in vital fields such as public safety.
Employer Assurance: Creates a clear, trusted signal of quality and competence—restoring the value of degrees in the eyes of recruiters and professional bodies.
Transparent Evidence: The oral defence is videoed and publicly accessible to ensure assessment evidence is transparent (where the student passes), as to mitigate the risk of bribery and coercion of examiners.
Foreign Interference Protection: Examiners must be indepenent of the graduate’s awarding institution, and not domiciled in the same country. This prevents cultural and political influences affecting the examination outcome.
Supports Universities and Colleges: We understand that funding and resourcing is unlikely to change to support institutions with the fast rate of change. VivaPass® can be encouraged by institutions to help protect the integrity of their qualifications and ensure the value of the traditional degree is strategically protected.
With VivaPass®, you gain more than just a degree. You gain proof—independent, credible, and respected—that you possess the knowledge your field demands.
VivaPass®: Because confidence in academic achievement matters, now more than ever.
An examination fee applies for VivaPass. VivaPass is a registered trademark used under license.
