Newman University Degree Verification, Solicitor Certification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Newman University degree verification and apostille services for graduates who need to use their academic documents overseas.

Our solicitor-led service can include:

• HEDD degree verification;
• Birmingham Newman University record checks;
• solicitor verification;
• enhanced solicitor certification;
• authenticity confirmation;
• certified true copies;
• FCDO apostille;
• a 2-working-day express apostille option;
• embassy or consular legalisation; and
• international return delivery.

Newman University now operates as Birmingham Newman University.

The Office for Students approved the change from Newman University to Birmingham Newman University in September 2023. Therefore, an older certificate may show “Newman University,” while current records and correspondence use the new name.

Quick answers

Who verifies a Newman University degree?

Birmingham Newman University verifies qualifications issued under the former Newman University name.

For third-party enquiries, the main verification route is HEDD.

HEDD can check:

• whether the candidate is a current or former student;
• the qualification awarded;
• the grade or classification; and
• the dates of attendance.

Can Newman verify older partner-university degrees?

Yes.

Newman gained degree-awarding powers in 2007. However, before that date, other universities awarded many qualifications studied at Newman.

HEDD states that Newman can confirm degrees previously awarded to its students through Coventry, Birmingham and Leicester.

Can a Newman University certificate receive an FCDO apostille?

Yes.

In most cases, our solicitor can certify a suitable copy before submitting it for an FCDO apostille.

Can a solicitor confirm the degree’s authenticity?

Yes, provided that reliable evidence supports the conclusion.

For example, our solicitor may rely on:

• a HEDD result;
• an academic transcript;
• a university reference;
• a replacement certificate;
• a Higher Education Achievement Report;
• the original degree certificate; and
• the graduate’s identification.

How quickly can Ginkgo Advisory arrange the apostille?

We offer a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible documents.

However, this period covers the FCDO stage only.

It begins after we complete the necessary verification and solicitor certification.

Do I also need embassy legalisation?

You may need embassy or consular legalisation if the destination does not accept an apostille as the final authentication step.

Therefore, we check the receiving country and authority before preparing the document.

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Newman University is now Birmingham Newman University

The institution formerly operated as Newman University.

It now uses the name Birmingham Newman University.

The name change does not affect the validity of degrees issued under the former name. Instead, the current university continues to hold and manage the relevant academic records.

As a result, a graduate may hold:

• a certificate headed “Newman University”;
• a transcript issued by Newman University;
• a new verification result from Birmingham Newman University; or
• replacement documents that use the current university name.

This difference is normal.

However, an overseas employer or authority may not understand the name change. Therefore, a HEDD verification or official university letter can link the former and current names.

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Newman University degree verification through HEDD

HEDD stands for Higher Education Degree Datacheck.

It allows an authorised third party to check a candidate’s information against the university’s academic record.

The current Newman University HEDD entry lists a £14 degree enquiry fee. It also confirms that the service can check student status, awards, grades and attendance dates.

Therefore, HEDD provides more than a visual review of the certificate.

Instead, it compares the information supplied by the enquirer with the university record.

Who can use HEDD?

HEDD serves third-party enquirers.

These may include:

• employers;
• recruitment companies;
• screening agencies;
• solicitors;
• professional regulators;
• universities;
• public authorities; and
• document legalisation providers.

A graduate cannot normally use the third-party route to issue an official verification result to themselves.

Instead, the graduate authorises another organisation to submit the enquiry.

Ginkgo Advisory can manage that process as part of the wider certification and legalisation service.

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Candidate consent

HEDD requires a consent form signed by the candidate.

The enquirer must upload the signed form as a:

• PDF;
• JPG;
• PNG; or
• TIF file.

The consent should clearly authorise the release or confirmation of academic information.

It should also identify:

• the graduate;
• the authorised third party;
• the institution;
• the purpose of the request;
• the candidate’s signature; and
• the date.

Before submission, we check the consent form and academic details.

This review helps reduce avoidable delays.

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Information required for verification

A Newman University HEDD enquiry will normally require:

• the graduate’s full name;
• any former name used during study;
• date of birth;
• course title;
• qualification title;
• graduation year;
• classification or result;
• attendance dates;
• student number, if known;
• a clear scan of the degree certificate;
• a transcript, if available; and
• signed candidate consent.

Small differences may prevent a quick match.

For example, problems may arise because of:

• a missing middle name;
• an incorrect graduation year;
• a shortened course title;
• a later change of surname;
• incomplete attendance dates;
• confusion between Newman University and Birmingham Newman University; or
• uncertainty about a former validating university.

Therefore, we copy the academic details from the certificate and transcript wherever possible.

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Degrees previously awarded by partner universities

Newman received its own degree-awarding powers in 2007.

Before then, other universities validated or awarded many Newman programmes.

HEDD states that Newman can confirm degrees previously awarded to its students by:

• Coventry;
• Birmingham; and
• Leicester.

However, verification and replacement documents do not always follow the same route.

Birmingham Newman University may verify the student record. Nevertheless, the original awarding university may control the replacement certificate.

For example, Birmingham Newman’s alumni guidance states that graduates whose programmes were validated by the University of Leicester must contact Leicester for replacement documents.

Therefore, we check the exact awarding body printed on the certificate.

It may name:

• Newman University;
• Newman University College;
• Newman College of Higher Education;
• Coventry University or a predecessor institution;
• the University of Birmingham;
• the University of Leicester; or
• another validating body.

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Replacement degree certificates

Birmingham Newman University provides duplicate or replacement certificates for awards that it validates.

The current online store lists a £30 certificate-request fee.

However, applicants should check the validating institution before ordering.

A graduate should not assume that Birmingham Newman can replace every historic certificate.

Where another university issued the original award, that institution may control the replacement process.

Therefore, the certificate’s wording matters.

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Academic transcripts

Graduates can order an academic transcript through Birmingham Newman University’s payment portal.

The transcript can show:

• module titles;
• credit values;
• the programme followed;
• the award title; and
• the award year.

For courses that began in or after 2000, the University currently states a 10-working-day turnaround.

Graduates whose courses began in 1999 or earlier should contact the Assessments team before ordering. The team will explain what information remains available.

Therefore, an older transcript may contain:

• a full academic record;
• partial module information;
• an award summary; or
• only the details that the University can still locate.

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University references and award letters

Birmingham Newman University can provide a formal letter confirming the completion date shown on the final transcript.

Graduates can request this through the Registry team at:

registry@newman.ac.uk

A formal university letter may help where:

• the certificate uses the former Newman University name;
• an overseas authority needs the completion date;
• the graduate requires proof of study;
• another university validated the award; or
• the solicitor needs more supporting evidence.

However, the receiving authority decides whether it accepts a letter instead of a degree certificate.

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Higher Education Achievement Report

Eligible graduates may also obtain a Higher Education Achievement Report, commonly known as a HEAR.

A HEAR can provide more detail than a traditional degree certificate.

For example, it may include:

• module results;
• awards and prizes;
• volunteering;
• leadership activities; and
• recognised extracurricular achievements.

However, a HEAR does not automatically replace:

• HEDD verification;
• the degree certificate;
• solicitor certification;
• an FCDO apostille; or
• embassy legalisation.

Instead, it may provide additional supporting evidence.

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Degree verification and solicitor certification

They perform different roles.

Degree verification

HEDD or Birmingham Newman University checks the academic record.

Solicitor verification

Our solicitor reviews the degree certificate, verification evidence and identification documents.

Solicitor certification

The solicitor places a formal certification statement on the document or copy.

FCDO apostille

The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

Therefore, one stage does not replace another.

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Basic solicitor certification

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

It normally answers one question:

Does this copy match the original document presented?

However, it does not automatically confirm that Newman University genuinely issued the original certificate.

Therefore, some overseas authorities may require stronger evidence.

In that case, enhanced solicitor certification may provide a better route.

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Enhanced solicitor certification

Ginkgo Advisory offers enhanced solicitor certification where reliable evidence supports it.

First, we obtain or review independent academic verification.

Next, our solicitor compares the result with the degree certificate.

The solicitor then reviews the graduate’s identity and any supporting university documents.

Finally, the solicitor prepares certification wording that reflects the checks completed.

The process may include:

1. HEDD or university verification;
2. review of the original degree certificate;
3. review of a transcript or university letter;
4. confirmation of the validating institution;
5. comparison of the award details;
6. identity and name checks;
7. authenticity confirmation; and
8. solicitor certification.

Therefore, enhanced certification creates a clearer evidence trail.

However, our solicitor will only confirm authenticity when reliable evidence supports that conclusion.

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Authenticity confirmation

Authenticity confirmation means that independent evidence supports the academic document.

For example, the evidence may confirm that:

• the University holds a matching record;
• the graduate received the stated award;
• the classification matches;
• the attendance dates match;
• the award date matches;
• the former and current university names connect correctly; and
• the certificate contains no unexplained material difference.

If the evidence remains incomplete, we will explain the limitation.

We will not use stronger wording than the available evidence supports.

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FCDO apostille

A Newman University degree certificate can usually receive an FCDO apostille after correct preparation.

Depending on the case, the apostille route may use:

• a solicitor-certified degree certificate;
• a certified transcript;
• a university confirmation letter;
• a replacement certificate;
• a HEAR; or
• another eligible academic document.

However, the receiving authority may require a particular document.

Therefore, we first check whether it needs:

• the original certificate;
• a certified copy;
• HEDD verification;
• an academic transcript;
• an official university letter; or
• a combined document pack.

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What does the apostille confirm?

An apostille does not verify the graduate’s academic history.

Instead, it authenticates the relevant UK public signature, stamp or seal.

For a solicitor-certified copy, the FCDO normally authenticates the solicitor’s signature.

As a result, a strong document route may follow this order:

degree verification → authenticity review → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

Each stage provides a different form of assurance.

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Two-working-day express apostille

Ginkgo Advisory offers a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible documents.

However, this period covers the FCDO stage only.

It begins after:

• HEDD or university verification is complete;
• we identify the correct awarding body;
• the correct document is available;
• our solicitor approves the evidence;
• the certification is ready; and
• the document meets the FCDO requirements.

Therefore, the two-working-day period does not include:

• HEDD processing;
• transcript production;
• university-reference production;
• replacement-certificate production;
• solicitor evidence enquiries;
• embassy legalisation; or
• international delivery.

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Embassy legalisation

Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the UK authentication stage.

A typical route may involve:

1. degree verification;
2. solicitor certification;
3. FCDO apostille or authentication;
4. embassy legalisation; and
5. further local processing after arrival.

However, each embassy sets its own requirements.

For example, it may ask for:

• the original certificate;
• a solicitor-certified copy;
• HEDD verification;
• an academic transcript;
• a university reference;
• a certified translation;
• a passport copy; or
• specific certification wording.

Therefore, we check the destination requirements before preparing the document.

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Our process

Step 1: Document review

First, we review the front and back of the certificate.

We identify:

• the institution name;
• the validating university;
• the qualification;
• the award date;
• the grade or classification;
• the signatures; and
• the seals.

Step 2: Verification-route selection

Next, we decide whether the case should use:

• Newman University HEDD verification;
• Birmingham Newman University records;
• a former validating university; or
• more than one source.

Step 3: Candidate consent

The graduate signs the required consent form.

Step 4: Academic verification

We submit the enquiry using the exact information shown on the academic documents.

Step 5: Authenticity review

Our solicitor compares the verification result with the certificate and identification evidence.

Step 6: Solicitor certification

Where the information matches, our solicitor prepares the appropriate certification.

Step 7: FCDO apostille

We submit the document for an apostille.

An express 2-working-day option is available for eligible cases.

Step 8: Embassy legalisation

Where required, we arrange the embassy or consular stage.

Step 9: Return delivery

Finally, we provide a completion scan where requested.

We then return the documents through the agreed postal or courier service.

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Frequently asked questions

Is a Newman University degree still valid?

Yes.

The institution now operates as Birmingham Newman University, but the name change does not invalidate degrees issued under the Newman University name.

What is Newman University called now?

It is now called Birmingham Newman University.

The Office for Students approved the change in September 2023.

Who verifies a Newman University degree?

Birmingham Newman University verifies it through HEDD for third-party enquiries.

How much does HEDD verification cost?

HEDD currently lists a £14 degree enquiry fee.

What can HEDD verify?

HEDD can check student status, the award, the grade and attendance dates.

Do I need candidate consent?

Yes.

HEDD requires a consent form signed by the candidate.

Which file formats does HEDD accept?

HEDD accepts PDF, JPG, PNG and TIF consent files.

Can Newman confirm degrees awarded by Coventry, Birmingham or Leicester?

Yes.

HEDD states that Newman can confirm degrees previously awarded to its students through those universities.

Can Birmingham Newman replace every old certificate?

No.

The original validating institution may control the replacement route.

For example, University of Leicester-validated graduates must contact Leicester for their replacement documents.

How much does a replacement certificate cost?

Birmingham Newman’s current online store lists a £30 certificate-request fee.

Can I obtain a transcript?

Yes.

Graduates can order transcripts through the University’s payment portal. Courses started in or after 2000 normally have a 10-working-day turnaround.

What if my course began before 2000?

Contact the Assessments team before ordering.

The University will advise what information it can provide from the older record.

Can I obtain an official award letter?

Yes.

Registry can provide a formal letter confirming the completion date shown on the final transcript.

Is HEDD verification the same as solicitor certification?

No.

HEDD checks the academic record.

Meanwhile, solicitor certification formally certifies the document or copy.

Does an apostille verify the degree?

No.

The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

It does not check the university’s academic record.

Can Ginkgo Advisory arrange a 2-working-day apostille?

Yes, provided that the document is eligible and ready for FCDO submission.

Do I need embassy legalisation?

You may need further embassy or consular processing where the destination does not accept an apostille as the final step.