Royal Academy of Music Degree Verification, Solicitor Certification, FCDO Apostille and Embassy Legalisation

Royal Academy of Music documents may need degree verification, solicitor certification, an FCDO apostille or further legalisation before overseas use.

It is a UK government-recognised university or college which currently gives degree awards.

However, degree data cannot be verified through HEDD. Instead, verification requests should go directly to the Academy by email.

Ginkgo Advisory helps clients check the document, prepare candidate consent, contact the correct verification route, prepare solicitor certification and arrange an FCDO apostille.

Royal Academy of Music verification and apostille route

A typical route follows this sequence:

Direct Royal Academy of Music verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → overseas use

Some receiving authorities also ask for embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO apostille.

Therefore, you should check the receiving authority’s rules before starting. Some authorities only ask for the certificate. Others also ask for a transcript, confirmation of studies letter, replacement certificate or official academic record.

Direct verification route

Royal Academy of Music degree data cannot go through HEDD.

Instead, verification requests should go directly to the Academy.

Direct verification can check:

• Whether the candidate was a past student
• The award given
• The grade attained
• Attendance dates

Because this is a direct route, the request should include clear candidate consent and accurate award details.

Verification requests by email

Royal Academy of Music accepts degree data verification requests by email.

The HEDD contact route lists:

Registry
Royal Academy of Music
Marylebone Road
London
NW1 5HT
United Kingdom

Email: registry@ram.ac.uk

Before submission, the current contact route should still be checked, especially where the receiving authority needs a formal verification response.

Candidate consent

Candidate consent is required before verification.

The consent can be provided in writing or by fax, and it must include the candidate’s signature.

A clear consent document should usually include:

• Candidate full name
• Name used during study
• Date of birth or student number, if available
• Course title
• Award title
• Year of award
• Permission to release academic information
• Name of the requesting organisation
• Candidate signature
• Date of consent

However, the exact consent format should still be checked with Royal Academy of Music before submission.

A missing signature, unclear wording or name mismatch can delay the request.

Former student documents

Former students may need more than degree verification.

For example, they may also need:

• Confirmation of studies letters
• Duplicate transcripts
• Duplicate Professional Diploma certificates
• Duplicate Advanced Diploma certificates
• Duplicate DipRAM certificates
• Replacement degree certificates
• Official letters
• Certified copies
• Historical student record checks

These documents do not serve the same purpose as verification.

Verification checks the academic record. By contrast, a transcript, confirmation letter or replacement certificate gives the client a document that may then need solicitor certification and an apostille.

Confirmation of studies letters

Royal Academy of Music can provide confirmation of studies letters where it can verify the student’s identity and award.

A confirmation of studies letter may include details of enrolment dates and any award gained from the Academy.

This type of letter can help when the receiving authority needs written confirmation rather than only a certificate copy.

If the letter needs overseas use, it may need solicitor certification and an FCDO apostille.

Transcripts

Royal Academy of Music can provide duplicate transcripts where records allow.

A transcript can help when the receiving authority asks for study details, course information, marks or award evidence.

However, transcript availability may depend on the award, course and record.

Therefore, the transcript route should be checked before the apostille timetable is confirmed.

Diploma certificates

Royal Academy of Music can provide duplicate certificates for some Academy awards.

These may include:

• Professional Diploma
• Advanced Diploma
• DipRAM

The Academy may only issue certain duplicate certificates where the original has been irretrievably lost.

Therefore, the document type and replacement rules should be checked before relying on a duplicate certificate for overseas use.

Degree certificates and University of London route

Some degree certificate replacement requests follow the University of London route.

Royal Academy of Music states that replacement degree certificates for BMus, PGDip, PGCert, MA and MMus degrees must be requested from the University of London Diploma Production Office.

This matters because a certificate may show Royal Academy of Music, while the replacement certificate route may involve the University of London.

As a result, the solicitor certification should follow the document and the available evidence.

The wording should not simply name one institution as the awarding body unless the evidence supports that statement.

Music and performance documents

Royal Academy of Music qualifications may relate to classical music, performance, composition, conducting, jazz, musical theatre, opera, research, musicology, instrumental studies, vocal studies or professional music training.

Because of this, a receiving authority may ask for more than a certificate.

For example, it may request:

• Degree certificate
• Diploma certificate
• Academic transcript
• Confirmation of studies letter
• Confirmation of award
• Attendance dates
• Course details
• Grade or classification
• Performance programme details
• Certified copies of supporting documents

The correct document depends on the receiving authority.

Check the institution name before submission

Before starting verification, check the name printed on the certificate, transcript or official letter.

The document may refer to:

• Royal Academy of Music
• RAM
• University of London
• Diploma Production Office
• Another awarding or validating body

The verification route and solicitor certification should follow the document and the available evidence.

Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music

Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music are different institutions.

This distinction matters because both are London music institutions, and both may appear in overseas document requests.

Before verification or apostille work begins, the institution name should be checked carefully.

A request for Royal Academy of Music should not be sent to Royal College of Music, and vice versa.

Documents we can assist with

Ginkgo Advisory can assist with verification, certification, apostille and legalisation for:

• Royal Academy of Music degree certificates
• Royal Academy of Music diploma certificates
• Royal Academy of Music academic transcripts
• Confirmation of studies letters
• Duplicate transcript requests
• Duplicate diploma certificate enquiries
• DipRAM document enquiries
• University of London degree certificate route checks
• Official letters
• Certified copies
• Direct verification records
• Documents required by overseas authorities

An employer may accept a certificate. However, a conservatoire, university, professional body, arts organisation or government authority may ask for both the certificate and transcript.

Solicitor certification and apostille

Verification checks the academic record with the correct source.

Solicitor certification then prepares the document for apostille or overseas use.

A basic certified copy only confirms that the copy matches the document shown to the solicitor.

Enhanced solicitor certification goes further. The solicitor reviews the verification evidence, checks the academic details and prepares wording that matches the available proof.

After solicitor certification, the document can usually proceed to the FCDO for an apostille.

The FCDO checks the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not verify the academic award itself.

Therefore, direct verification remains important.

FCDO apostille timeframe

For suitable documents, Ginkgo Advisory can arrange a 2 working day express FCDO apostille option after verification and solicitor certification are ready.

This 2 working day timeframe applies only to the apostille stage.

It does not include Royal Academy of Music verification time, transcript checks, duplicate certificate processing, University of London document processing, consent correction, courier delivery, weekends, public holidays or embassy legalisation.

Further legalisation after apostille

Some receiving authorities also ask for embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO apostille.

This extra stage depends on the destination, document type and receiving authority’s rules.

For example, if the authority asks for both a certificate and a transcript, each document may need separate preparation.

Common reasons for delay

Royal Academy of Music documents may face delay when:

• The request wrongly goes through HEDD
• Candidate consent is missing
• The consent does not include a signature
• The consent wording is unclear
• The candidate studied under a different name
• The wrong music institution is selected
• The document names University of London
• The receiving authority asks for both certificate and transcript
• The receiving authority needs performance programme details
• The receiving authority needs a replacement degree certificate
• The receiving authority needs a confirmation of studies letter
• The apostille is treated as proof of the award itself
• Further legalisation starts before the FCDO apostille is complete

A short review before submission can reduce these risks.

Frequently asked questions

Can Royal Academy of Music awards be verified through HEDD?

No. Royal Academy of Music degree data cannot be verified through HEDD. The Academy should be contacted directly.

Who verifies Royal Academy of Music qualifications?

Royal Academy of Music verifies its records directly.

How should verification requests be sent?

Verification requests are accepted by email.

Is candidate consent required?

Yes. Candidate consent is required in writing or by fax, with signature.

What can direct verification check?

Direct verification can check whether the candidate was a past student, the award given, the grade attained and attendance dates.

Can former students request transcripts?

Yes. Royal Academy of Music can provide duplicate transcripts where it can verify the student’s identity and award.

Can former students request confirmation of studies letters?

Yes. Royal Academy of Music can provide confirmation of studies letters, subject to record checks.

Can former students request duplicate diploma certificates?

Yes, in some cases. Royal Academy of Music may provide duplicate Professional Diploma, Advanced Diploma or DipRAM certificates where the requirements are met.

Where are replacement degree certificates requested?

Replacement degree certificates for BMus, PGDip, PGCert, MA and MMus degrees should be requested from the University of London Diploma Production Office.

Can a transcript or confirmation letter be apostilled?

Yes, if the document is suitable for certification and apostille. The document should be reviewed before submission.

Does the apostille prove the award is genuine?

No. The apostille confirms the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. Verification and solicitor certification address the academic record.

Can you arrange a 2 working day apostille?

For suitable documents, Ginkgo Advisory can arrange a 2 working day express FCDO apostille option after verification and solicitor certification are complete.

Start with direct Royal Academy of Music verification

Before sending a Royal Academy of Music document for apostille, first confirm the direct verification route.

The request should not go through HEDD.

Candidate consent should be prepared in writing or by fax with signature before contacting the Academy.

The document should also be checked carefully because some degree certificate replacement requests may involve the University of London Diploma Production Office.

Once the correct verification evidence is ready, the document can move through enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille and, where required, further legalisation.