
About the Author
Kwok is a practising solicitor based in London, admitted in England & Wales and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. He is registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and admitted in Hong Kong (non-practising). Kwok has worked as legal counsel and in-house solicitor across leading firms and corporations. He personally oversees every apostille and legalisation case at Ginkgo Advisory, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and end-to-end quality control.
Kwok Lam
Legal Consultant of Ginkgo Advisory
If you graduated from The University of Manchester and a third party needs proof of your award (or you need your documents prepared for overseas use), the process usually has two separate stages:
- Verification through the University’s official channels
- Legalisation for international use (UK solicitor certification + FCDO Apostille, also called a UK apostille)
This page sets out the options Manchester offers, and how Ginkgo Advisory (London) can help you complete the solicitor and apostille steps correctly.
The University of Manchester (brief)
The University of Manchester is a UK degree-awarding university. Graduates can share official academic documents and support third-party verification through recognised systems, including platform-based document sharing and HEDD verification.
Step 1: Choose the right University of Manchester verification route
Option 1: Parchment (Digitary CORE) document sharing
Manchester allows graduates to share official academic documents via Parchment (Digitary CORE).
How it works:
- Log in to Parchment (Digitary CORE)
- Use the Share function next to the document you want to share
- Generate a secure link (Parchment emails a secure viewing link to the recipient)
Why this matters:
- Sharing through the platform gives the recipient a direct authenticity check pathway, which is often clearer than forwarding a downloaded file.
Best for:
- Employers, institutions, agencies, and compliance teams that accept secure digital verification.
Option 2: HEDD (Higher Education Degree Datacheck) third-party verification
Manchester supports verification through HEDD.
Key point:
- HEDD is designed for third-party enquirers. The verification request must be submitted by the third party (not the graduate), and the process typically requires candidate consent.
Best for:
- Organisations that run formal degree checks through a recognised UK verification database.
Option 3: Physical official documents sent to a third party
If the receiving organisation insists on hard copy documents, Manchester can send physical versions of official documents to a third party address (ordered via the University’s online store).
Practical notes:
- Use a trackable courier service if deadlines matter.
- Where available, include special requirements (reference codes, sealed/stamped envelope requests) to match the recipient’s instructions.
Best for:
- Organisations that require sealed delivery or will not accept digital sharing links.
Option 4: Confirmation of Award Letter (PDF)
A Confirmation of Award Letter is a lighter alternative to a certificate or transcript, but includes key award details such as course, classification, registration dates, and award date.
Best for:
- Situations where proof of award is required quickly and a full transcript is not necessary.
Step 2: When you need UK solicitor certification and an FCDO Apostille (UK Apostille)
Verification and legalisation are different.
- Verification confirms the award details through official university channels.
- Legalisation prepares documents for overseas authorities that require a recognised chain of authentication.
For many international submissions, you may need:
1) UK solicitor certification (done to a legalisation-ready standard)
A proper solicitor certification pack should not be “stamp-only.” It should be prepared in a way that is suitable for onward legalisation and capable of withstanding compliance scrutiny.
This typically includes:
- Correct certification format for the specific document type
- Clear identification of the solicitor and regulated status
- A structured approach to authenticity verification
- Consistent wording aligned with apostille requirements
2) FCDO Apostille (UK Apostille)
An FCDO apostille legalises the UK solicitor’s signature so the document can be recognised abroad (in apostille-accepting countries). This is commonly searched as:
- UK apostille
- FCDO apostille
- apostille for degree certificate
- apostille for transcript
How Ginkgo Advisory can help (London)
Ginkgo Advisory supports clients who need Manchester documents prepared for third parties and overseas use, with a focus on correctness and acceptance.
What we do
- Document route selection
We help you select the best Manchester route: Parchment (Digitary CORE) sharing, HEDD third-party verification, physical dispatch, or confirmation letter. - Solicitor certification with authenticity verification
We prepare solicitor certification in a format suitable for compliance review and for onward apostille legalisation. - FCDO Apostille handling (UK Apostille)
We manage the apostille submission and return logistics, including courier return where required. - Embassy Legalisation / Attestation if required
Common situations we handle
- Degree certificate and transcript for overseas employment checks
- Immigration and visa document legalisation
- Embassy or consulate submissions
- Professional registration overseas
- International compliance onboarding (banks, regulators, institutions)
Next step
If you want Ginkgo Advisory to handle the solicitor certification and apostille chain, prepare:
- Document list (degree certificate, transcript, confirmation letter)
- Destination country
- Deadline and preferred return method
If you let us know the recipient’s exact wording (“what they require”), this can be tailored to match acceptance criteria precisely.
Contact Us

Address
167-169 Great Portland Street, 5/F, London

