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 NEWI degree verification and apostille services for graduates who need to use their academic documents overseas.
Our solicitor-led service can include:
- HEDD degree verification;
- Wrexham University record checks;
- awarding-body identification;
- 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.
The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education, commonly known as NEWI, awarded recognised UK qualifications between 1975 and 2008.
In 2008, NEWI gained university status and became Glyndŵr University. The institution adopted its current name, Wrexham University, in 2023.
Therefore, a historic certificate may show NEWI, while current verification documents refer to Wrexham University.
Quick answers
Who verifies a NEWI qualification?
Wrexham University verifies qualifications linked to the former North East Wales Institute of Higher Education.
For eligible awards, third-party enquirers must normally use HEDD. Wrexham University is an exclusive HEDD verification partner.
Can HEDD verify every NEWI award?
No.
HEDD cannot verify qualifications awarded before 1996 through the Wrexham University record. Therefore, older graduates need a different route.
What happens if the award predates 1996?
First, check the awarding body shown on the certificate.
Depending on the document, the correct record holder may be:
- Wrexham University;
- the University of Wales;
- Pearson or Edexcel;
- another university; or
- another professional awarding organisation.
Can a NEWI certificate receive an FCDO apostille?
Yes.
In most cases, our solicitor can certify a suitable copy before submitting it for an FCDO apostille. The FCDO can legalise qualification certificates that a UK solicitor or another eligible public official has certified.
How quickly can Ginkgo Advisory arrange the apostille?
We offer a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible documents.
However, this period only covers the FCDO stage. It begins after the required verification and solicitor certification are complete.
Do I need embassy legalisation?
You may need embassy or consular legalisation if the destination does not accept an apostille as the final step.
For a non-Hague destination, the process may include FCDO legalisation, embassy stamping in London and further approval in the destination country.
About NEWI and Wrexham University
NEWI formed through the merger of several North Wales colleges.
The institution later became one of the largest higher education colleges of its type in Britain.
In 2008, NEWI gained university status and adopted the name Glyndŵr University. It then became Wrexham University in 2023.
As a result, academic documents may show several names:
- North East Wales Institute of Higher Education;
- NEWI;
- Glyndŵr University;
- Wrexham Glyndŵr University; or
- Wrexham University.
These name changes do not invalidate the qualification.
However, an overseas authority may need evidence that connects the historic institution with the current university.
NEWI verification through HEDD
HEDD stands for Higher Education Degree Datacheck.
It allows an authorised third party to compare the candidate’s details with the university record.
For eligible NEWI qualifications, HEDD can check:
- whether the person was a student;
- the award obtained;
- the grade or classification; and
- the attendance dates.
The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14.
However, HEDD only serves third-party enquirers.
Therefore, a graduate normally authorises an employer, solicitor, screening agency or another organisation to submit the request.
Ginkgo Advisory can manage the enquiry as part of the wider certification and legalisation service.
Special consent requirements
Wrexham University requires a hand-signed consent form dated within the last three months.
Therefore, the graduate should sign the form with a pen rather than use a typed or pasted signature.
The enquirer must upload the completed form as a:
- PDF;
- JPG;
- PNG; or
- TIF file.
The consent should clearly identify:
- the graduate;
- the third-party enquirer;
- the institution;
- the information that may be released;
- the candidate’s signature; and
- the date.
Before submission, we check the form and the academic details.
This step reduces the risk of delay or rejection.
Information needed for verification
A NEWI verification request normally requires:
- the graduate’s full name;
- any former name used during study;
- date of birth;
- course title;
- qualification title;
- award year;
- grade or classification;
- attendance dates;
- student number, if known;
- a clear colour scan of the certificate;
- a transcript, if available; and
- the signed consent form.
Small differences may prevent an automatic match.
For example, problems may arise because of:
- a missing middle name;
- a later change of surname;
- an incorrect award year;
- a shortened course title;
- incomplete attendance dates;
- confusion between NEWI and Wrexham University; or
- an incorrect awarding body.
Therefore, we copy the details directly from the academic documents wherever possible.
Qualifications awarded before 1996
HEDD cannot verify qualifications awarded before 1996 through the NEWI or Wrexham University entry.
Therefore, graduates with older awards should not submit a HEDD request before checking the certificate.
The certificate may identify:
- NEWI as the teaching institution;
- the University of Wales as the awarding body;
- Pearson or Edexcel;
- another validating university;
- an HNC or HND awarding organisation; or
- another professional body.
The awarding body controls the formal award record.
As a result, the verification and replacement-document routes may differ.
University of Wales awards
Wrexham University’s current replacement-certificate guidance states that awards issued before 2010 were generally University of Wales awards, apart from certain HNC and HND qualifications.
Therefore, a NEWI graduate may need the University of Wales where the certificate names that university as the awarding body.
The University of Wales may control:
- replacement certificates;
- formal award confirmation;
- certified copies; and
- other official documents connected with its award.
Meanwhile, Wrexham University may still hold local student or study information.
In some cases, both institutions may provide useful evidence.
HNC and HND qualifications
Wrexham University states that Pearson, formerly Edexcel, issued HNC and HND certificates achieved before 2005.
For HNC and HND awards from 2005 onwards, the University may provide the replacement certificate.
Therefore, applicants should not automatically describe an HNC or HND as a NEWI degree.
The correct verification route may instead involve:
- Pearson;
- Edexcel;
- Wrexham University; or
- another awarding body shown on the certificate.
Direct confirmation for former students
Wrexham University can provide former students with email confirmation of:
- qualifications gained; and
- periods of study.
The University currently provides this confirmation free of charge to the former student.
However, third parties that need formal verification must use HEDD for eligible awards.
This distinction matters.
A confirmation email requested by the graduate and a formal third-party HEDD result do not serve exactly the same purpose.
Verified university copies
Wrexham University also offers signed and stamped copies of:
- transcripts; and
- certificates.
The current verified-document service costs £30.
Applicants must provide a copy of the certificate because the University does not keep copies of every graduate’s original certificate.
A university-verified copy may provide useful supporting evidence.
However, it differs from solicitor certification.
The University checks and stamps the academic document in its institutional role. Meanwhile, our solicitor prepares the document for the legalisation process.
Transcripts and replacement certificates
Wrexham University’s online store currently offers:
- transcripts for £20;
- verified documents for £30; and
- replacement certificates for eligible awards.
The University only issues a replacement certificate if the original has been lost, stolen or damaged.
It will not issue a duplicate while the graduate still holds an undamaged original. The standard replacement fee is currently £50, and production may take up to six weeks.
However, an older NEWI graduate must first check the awarding body.
The University of Wales or Pearson may control the replacement process.
Degree verification and solicitor certification
They perform different roles.
Degree verification
HEDD, Wrexham University or the original awarding body 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 the others.
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 NEWI, the University of Wales or another organisation issued the original certificate.
For stronger evidence, Ginkgo Advisory can provide enhanced solicitor certification.
The process may include:
- HEDD or direct academic verification;
- confirmation of the correct awarding body;
- review of the original certificate;
- review of a transcript or university letter;
- comparison of the academic details;
- identity and name checks;
- authenticity confirmation; and
- solicitor certification.
Therefore, enhanced certification can connect the historic certificate with an independent academic record.
However, our solicitor will only confirm authenticity where reliable evidence supports that conclusion.
FCDO apostille
A NEWI 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 Wrexham University confirmation letter;
- a university-verified copy;
- a University of Wales document;
- a Pearson document; or
- another eligible academic record.
The FCDO checks whether the relevant signature, stamp or seal matches its records. If it does, the Legalisation Office attaches an apostille.
Therefore, the apostille does not independently check the academic record.
A strong process may follow this order:
academic verification → authenticity review → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille
Two-working-day express apostille
Ginkgo Advisory offers a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible documents.
However, this period only covers the FCDO stage.
It begins after:
- we identify the correct awarding body;
- the required verification is complete;
- 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;
- university record searches;
- transcript production;
- replacement-certificate production;
- University of Wales processing;
- Pearson processing;
- embassy legalisation; or
- international delivery.
Embassy legalisation
Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO stage.
A typical non-Hague route may involve:
- academic verification;
- solicitor certification;
- FCDO apostille or authentication;
- embassy legalisation; and
- approval by the destination country’s foreign ministry.
However, each embassy sets its own requirements.
For example, it may request:
- the original certificate;
- a solicitor-certified copy;
- HEDD verification;
- a university-verified copy;
- an academic transcript;
- 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 front and back of the certificate.
We identify the institution, qualification, award date and awarding body.
Step 2: Verification-route selection
Next, we decide whether the case requires:
- HEDD verification;
- direct Wrexham confirmation;
- the University of Wales;
- Pearson;
- another awarding body; or
- more than one source.
Step 3: Candidate consent
The graduate signs the required consent form.
For HEDD, the signature must be handwritten and dated within the last three months.
Step 4: Academic verification
We submit the request using the exact details shown on the academic documents.
Step 5: Authenticity review
Our solicitor compares the verification result with the certificate and identity evidence.
Step 6: Solicitor certification
Where the evidence matches, our solicitor prepares the appropriate certification.
Step 7: FCDO apostille
We submit the document for an apostille.
A 2-working-day express 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 delivery service.
Frequently asked questions
Is a NEWI qualification still valid?
Yes.
A later institutional name change does not invalidate the qualification.
Wrexham University now handles the relevant legacy records.
What did NEWI become?
NEWI became Glyndŵr University in 2008.
The institution then adopted the name Wrexham University in 2023.
Who verifies a NEWI degree?
Wrexham University verifies eligible awards through HEDD.
However, awards from before 1996 cannot use the HEDD route.
How much does HEDD verification cost?
The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14.
What consent does HEDD require?
The candidate must provide a hand-signed consent form dated within the last three months.
What file formats does HEDD accept?
HEDD accepts PDF, JPG, PNG and TIF consent files.
What if my qualification was awarded before 1996?
Check the awarding body printed on the certificate.
The correct route may involve Wrexham University, the University of Wales, Pearson or another organisation.
Can I obtain a university-verified copy?
Yes.
Wrexham University currently offers signed or stamped copies of certificates and transcripts for £30.
Can I obtain a replacement certificate?
Possibly.
However, the correct provider depends on the awarding body and award date. Wrexham University only replaces its own eligible awards.
Who replaces a pre-2010 University of Wales degree certificate?
The University of Wales controls replacement certificates where it issued the award.
Who replaces an older HNC or HND?
Pearson or Edexcel handles HNC and HND awards issued before 2005.
Is verification the same as solicitor certification?
No.
Verification 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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