Is a graduation certificate from the Faculty of Engineering considered unlawful if the studies relied on the use of software activated through illicit means, given its high price and the difficulty of acquiring it?

We advise you to seek Allah's help and complete your studies, and to be diligent in seeking what is lawful. As for using pirated software, the basic ruling concerning it, in our view, is that it is unlawful. However, this does not mean that the salary or the certificate of one who used it is unlawful. Rather, the person incurs sin, and their conscience becomes burdened with the rights of the owners of these programs.