Our solicitor can verify, certify, apostille & legalise
All UK recognised degree-awarding universities or colleges
471
recognised UK
institutions
About the Author
KH 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. KH has worked as legal counsel and in-house solicitor across leading firms and corporations. He personally oversees every case at Ginkgo Advisory, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and end-to-end quality control.
KH Lam, LLB, LLM
Legal Consultant of Ginkgo Advisory
Ginkgo Advisory provides Newman University College 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 College awarded recognised UK qualifications between 2007 and 2013.
The institution later became Newman University. It now operates as Birmingham Newman University. Therefore, current verification results and university documents may use a different name from the original certificate.
Quick answers
Who verifies a Newman University College degree?
Birmingham Newman University verifies former Newman University College qualifications.
Third-party enquirers can submit the degree check through HEDD. The service can confirm:
- current or former student status;
- the award;
- the grade or classification; and
- attendance dates.
Can a Newman University College degree receive an 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, where reliable university evidence supports that 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 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 starts after we complete the required verification and solicitor certification.
Do I need embassy legalisation?
You may need embassy or consular legalisation where the destination does not accept an apostille as the final step.
Therefore, we check the receiving authority’s requirements before preparing the document.
Newman University College and Birmingham Newman University
Newman University College held degree-awarding status under that name between 2007 and 2013. HEDD now directs its qualification checks to the successor university.
The institution later used the name Newman University.
In September 2023, the Office for Students approved the change from Newman University to Birmingham Newman University.
As a result, a graduate may hold:
- a Newman University College certificate;
- a transcript issued under the former name;
- a HEDD result linked to Newman University; or
- current correspondence from Birmingham Newman University.
This difference is normal.
However, an overseas employer or regulator may not understand the sequence of names. A formal verification result can connect the historic certificate with the current university.
HEDD degree verification
HEDD stands for Higher Education Degree Datacheck.
It allows an authorised third party to compare the graduate’s details with the university record.
A Newman University College HEDD enquiry can check:
- whether the person studied at the institution;
- the qualification awarded;
- the result or classification;
- the attendance dates; and
- other available award details.
Therefore, HEDD does more than inspect the appearance of the certificate.
Instead, it checks the academic information against the record held by the successor university.
The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14. However, HEDD may change its charges.
Who can use HEDD?
HEDD serves third-party enquirers.
These may include:
- employers;
- recruitment agencies;
- background-screening companies;
- solicitors;
- professional regulators;
- universities;
- government bodies; and
- document legalisation providers.
The graduate must authorise the release of their academic information.
Ginkgo Advisory can submit the enquiry as part of the wider solicitor certification and legalisation service.
Candidate consent
HEDD requires a consent form signed by the candidate.
The enquirer must upload the form as a:
- PDF;
- JPG;
- PNG; or
- TIF file.
The form should clearly authorise the release or confirmation of academic information.
It should 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 and academic details.
This review helps reduce delays caused by incomplete or inconsistent information.
Information required for verification
A Newman University College verification request normally requires:
- 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 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 award year;
- a shortened course title;
- a later change of surname;
- incomplete attendance dates;
- confusion between the former and current university names; or
- uncertainty about a validating institution.
Therefore, we copy the details from the academic documents wherever possible.
Degrees linked to other universities
Newman gained its own degree-awarding powers in 2007.
HEDD also states that the university can confirm older degrees awarded to Newman students through Coventry, Birmingham and Leicester.
However, verification and replacement certificates may follow different routes.
Birmingham Newman University may confirm the student record. Nevertheless, the university named as the awarding body may control the replacement certificate.
For example, Birmingham Newman advises graduates with a University of Leicester-validated award to contact Leicester for the relevant replacement document.
Therefore, applicants should check the exact awarding institution printed on the certificate.
Replacement certificates and transcripts
Birmingham Newman University offers duplicate or replacement certificates for awards that it validates.
The current certificate-request fee is £30. The university advises graduates to check the validating institution before ordering.
Graduates can also order an academic transcript.
The current transcript fee is £10. A transcript may show the modules, credits, programme and final award.
In addition, Registry can provide a formal letter confirming the award completion date shown on the final transcript.
These documents can support enhanced solicitor certification.
Degree verification and solicitor certification
They are separate processes.
Degree verification
HEDD or Birmingham Newman University checks the academic record.
Solicitor verification
Our solicitor reviews the certificate, verification result and identification evidence.
Solicitor certification
The solicitor places a formal certification statement on the document or copy.
FCDO apostille
The apostille authenticates the relevant UK public signature, stamp or seal.
Therefore, one stage does not replace another.
Enhanced solicitor certification
A basic certified true copy confirms that the copy matches the document shown to the solicitor.
However, it does not automatically confirm that the university issued the original certificate.
For stronger evidence, Ginkgo Advisory can provide enhanced solicitor certification.
The process may include:
- HEDD or university verification;
- review of the original certificate;
- review of a transcript or university letter;
- confirmation of the awarding institution;
- comparison of the academic details;
- identity and name checks;
- authenticity confirmation; and
- solicitor certification.
Therefore, the certification can connect the certificate with an independent academic record.
However, our solicitor will only confirm authenticity where reliable evidence supports that conclusion.
FCDO apostille
A Newman University College 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 reference;
- a replacement certificate;
- a HEAR; or
- another eligible academic document.
The receiving authority may require a particular format.
Therefore, we check whether it needs:
- the original certificate;
- a certified copy;
- HEDD verification;
- an academic transcript;
- an official university letter; or
- a combined document pack.
What does the apostille confirm?
An apostille does not check the graduate’s academic record.
Instead, it authenticates the relevant UK signature, seal or stamp.
For a solicitor-certified copy, the FCDO normally authenticates the solicitor’s signature.
As a result, a strong route may follow this order:
degree verification → authenticity review → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille
Each stage provides a different type of assurance.
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:
- verification is complete;
- we identify the correct awarding institution;
- the required 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-letter production;
- replacement-certificate processing;
- solicitor evidence enquiries;
- embassy legalisation; or
- international delivery.
Embassy legalisation
Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the UK authentication stage.
A typical route may involve:
- degree verification;
- solicitor certification;
- FCDO apostille or authentication;
- embassy legalisation; and
- further local processing after arrival.
However, each embassy sets its own rules.
For example, it may require:
- the original certificate;
- a solicitor-certified copy;
- HEDD verification;
- an academic transcript;
- a university letter;
- a certified translation;
- a passport copy; or
- specific certification wording.
Therefore, we check the requirements before preparing the document.
Our process
Step 1: Document review
First, we review the certificate and identify the institution, qualification and awarding body.
Step 2: Candidate consent
Next, the graduate signs the consent form required for HEDD verification.
Step 3: Degree verification
We submit the enquiry using the exact academic details shown on the documents.
Step 4: Authenticity review
Our solicitor compares the verification result with the certificate and identification evidence.
Step 5: Solicitor certification
Where the evidence matches, our solicitor prepares the appropriate certification.
Step 6: FCDO apostille
We submit the document for an apostille.
A 2-working-day express option is available for eligible cases.
Step 7: Embassy legalisation
Where required, we arrange the embassy or consular stage.
Step 8: Return delivery
Finally, we provide a completion scan where requested and return the documents through the agreed delivery service.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Newman University College degree still valid?
Yes.
The institution’s later name changes do not invalidate qualifications issued under the Newman University College name.
Who verifies the degree?
Birmingham Newman University now holds the relevant records.
Third-party verification takes place through HEDD.
When did Newman University College issue awards?
HEDD records that it issued recognised awards between 2007 and 2013.
What is the institution called now?
It now operates as Birmingham Newman University.
The Office for Students approved that name in September 2023.
How much does HEDD verification cost?
The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14.
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 I obtain a replacement certificate?
Possibly.
Birmingham Newman provides replacement certificates for awards that it validates. The current fee is £30.
Can I obtain an academic transcript?
Yes.
The current transcript fee is £10.
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. 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 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.
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