Norwich University College of the Arts Degree Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Norwich University College of the Arts degree verification and apostille services for graduates who need to use their academic documents overseas.

Our solicitor-led service can include:

• direct university degree verification;
• awarding-body 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.

Norwich University College of the Arts awarded recognised UK qualifications between 2007 and 2013.

The institution gained university status in 2013 and became Norwich University of the Arts. Therefore, current verification results and replacement documents may use a different name from the original certificate.

Quick answers

Who verifies a Norwich University College of the Arts degree?

Norwich University of the Arts handles current verification enquiries for former Norwich University College of the Arts students.

Applicants cannot complete the verification through HEDD. Instead, they must contact the University directly.

Can every 2007–2013 award follow the same route?

No.

Norwich University of the Arts has awarded its own bachelor’s and taught postgraduate degrees since August 2008.

However, Anglia Ruskin University acted as the awarding body before that date. Therefore, a qualification completed during the 2007–08 transition period may require Anglia Ruskin University rather than Norwich.

Can the degree certificate receive an FCDO apostille?

Yes.

A qualification certificate or suitable certified copy can usually receive an apostille after a UK solicitor or another eligible public official certifies it correctly.

Can a solicitor confirm the degree’s authenticity?

Yes, provided that reliable evidence supports the conclusion.

For example, our solicitor may rely on:

• direct confirmation from Norwich University of the Arts;
• an official academic transcript;
• a replacement certificate;
• confirmation from Anglia Ruskin University;
• 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 and correctly prepared documents.

However, the express period covers the FCDO stage only. It begins after we complete the required 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 destination and receiving authority before preparing the document.

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Norwich University College of the Arts and Norwich University of the Arts

The institution used the name Norwich University College of the Arts between 2007 and 2013.

It had gained taught degree-awarding powers by the time it adopted the university-college name. Later, it gained full university status and became Norwich University of the Arts.

As a result, a graduate may hold:

• a Norwich University College of the Arts certificate;
• a transcript issued under the former name;
• a current verification response from Norwich University of the Arts; or
• a replacement certificate that uses the current university name.

This difference is normal.

However, an overseas employer or regulator may need evidence that connects the former institution name with the current University.

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Direct degree verification rather than HEDD

Norwich University College of the Arts does not use HEDD for online degree verification.

Instead, the HEDD record directs applicants to contact the University directly. The University may verify:

• current or former student status;
• the qualification awarded;
• the grade or classification; and
• the attendance dates.

The current Academic Registry contact is:

Email: registry@norwichuni.ac.uk
Telephone: 01603 756246
Address: Academic Registry, Francis House, 3–7 Redwell Street, Norwich, NR2 4SN

The University’s current regulations identify Academic Registry as the team responsible for academic transcripts and award certificates.

The HEDD record does not publish a verification fee. Therefore, Academic Registry should confirm any charge and processing time when the enquiry begins.

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Candidate consent

The University requires the graduate’s consent before releasing personal academic information to a third party.

HEDD does not provide a fixed consent template for this institution. Instead, it directs applicants to contact the University for its current requirements.

A suitable consent form should normally include:

• the graduate’s full name;
• any former name used during study;
• date of birth;
• student number, if known;
• course title;
• qualification title;
• attendance dates;
• the authorised third party;
• the academic information that may be released;
• the purpose of the request;
• the graduate’s signature; and
• the date.

Ginkgo Advisory can prepare the consent form and submit the request on the client’s behalf.

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Information required for verification

We normally request:

• a clear colour scan of the certificate;
• a scan of the reverse side;
• an academic transcript, if available;
• the graduate’s passport;
• the full name used during study;
• any later name;
• date of birth;
• student number, if known;
• course title;
• qualification title;
• award year;
• classification or grade;
• attendance dates;
• the awarding body;
• evidence of any name change; and
• signed candidate consent.

Small differences may delay the record search.

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 the former and current university names; or
• an incorrect awarding institution.

Therefore, we use the exact information shown on the certificate and transcript wherever possible.

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Check the awarding body

The exact award date matters.

Norwich University of the Arts states that it has awarded its own bachelor’s and taught postgraduate degrees since August 2008.

By contrast, Anglia Ruskin University acted as the awarding body between 1992 and August 2008.

Therefore:

Contact Norwich University of the Arts where:

• the University awarded the qualification after August 2008;
• the certificate identifies Norwich University College of the Arts as the awarding body;
• Academic Registry holds the complete award record; or
• the graduate needs a Norwich-issued transcript or replacement certificate.

Contact Anglia Ruskin University where:

• the course finished before August 2008;
• the certificate names Anglia Ruskin University;
• Anglia Ruskin formally conferred the award; or
• the graduate needs a replacement for an Anglia Ruskin-issued certificate.

The place of study and formal awarding body may differ.

Therefore, we review:

• the certificate heading;
• the award wording;
• all university logos;
• the signatures and seals;
• the reverse side; and
• any transcript or diploma supplement.

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Academic transcripts

Academic Registry manages transcripts for awards and study records within the University’s responsibility.

A transcript may include:

• the graduate’s name and student details;
• the dates of study;
• the course studied;
• unit codes and titles;
• marks or grades;
• academic credits; and
• the final award.

An official transcript may support:

• enhanced solicitor certification;
• overseas employment;
• professional registration;
• further study;
• immigration applications; and
• credential evaluation.

However, a transcript does not automatically replace formal verification.

The receiving authority decides which documents it requires.

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Replacement degree certificates

Norwich University of the Arts provides replacement certificates for its own bachelor’s and taught postgraduate degrees awarded since August 2008.

The current replacement fee is £50, including registered postage.

Therefore, many Norwich University College of the Arts graduates can use the present Norwich replacement-certificate service.

However, the graduate should first check the award date.

Anglia Ruskin University may control the replacement route where it conferred the award before August 2008.

A replacement certificate normally applies when the original has been:

• lost;
• stolen;
• destroyed; or
• seriously damaged.

The graduate should not order a replacement merely to create an extra original unless the University permits this.

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Degree verification and solicitor certification

They perform different roles.

Degree verification

Norwich University of the Arts or the correct awarding institution checks the academic record.

Solicitor verification

Our solicitor reviews the certificate, university evidence and the graduate’s identity.

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.

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Basic solicitor certification

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

It answers one question:

Does this copy match the document presented?

However, basic certification does not automatically prove that the University issued the original certificate.

Therefore, an overseas authority may also request independent academic verification.

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Enhanced solicitor certification

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

First, we identify the correct awarding institution.

Next, we obtain or review independent academic confirmation.

Our solicitor then compares that evidence with the certificate and the graduate’s identity.

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

The enhanced process may include:

1. direct university or awarding-body verification;
2. review of the original certificate;
3. review of an academic transcript or official letter;
4. confirmation of the awarding institution;
5. comparison of the academic details;
6. identity and name checks;
7. authenticity confirmation; and
8. solicitor certification.

Therefore, enhanced certification connects the certificate with an independent academic record.

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 academic record;
• the graduate received the stated award;
• the classification matches;
• the award date matches;
• the attendance dates match;
• the former and current university names connect correctly; and
• no unexplained material difference appears.

If the available record remains incomplete, we will explain the limitation.

We will not use stronger wording than the evidence supports.

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FCDO apostille

A Norwich University College of the Arts 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 academic transcript;
• an official university letter;
• a replacement certificate;
• an Anglia Ruskin document; or
• another eligible academic record.

The receiving authority may require either an original document or a certified copy. It may also require a particular professional, such as a UK solicitor, to sign the document.

Therefore, we check the authority’s requirements before preparing the certification.

What does the apostille confirm?

An apostille does not check the graduate’s academic record.

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

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

A strong process may therefore follow this order:

academic verification → authenticity review → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

Each stage provides a different form of assurance.

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Two-working-day express FCDO apostille

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

However, the express period covers the FCDO stage only.

It begins after:

• we identify the correct awarding institution;
• academic verification is complete;
• 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:

• university record searches;
• Anglia Ruskin verification;
• transcript production;
• replacement-certificate production;
• solicitor evidence enquiries;
• embassy legalisation; or
• international delivery.

The FCDO offers both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles. An e-Apostille requires an electronically signed PDF, while a paper apostille requires a physical document.

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Embassy legalisation

Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO stage.

A typical route may involve:

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

However, every embassy sets its own rules.

For example, it may require:

• the original certificate;
• a solicitor-certified copy;
• direct university verification;
• an academic transcript;
• an awarding-body letter;
• 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 degree certificate.

We identify:

• the institution;
• the awarding body;
• the qualification;
• the award date;
• the classification;
• the signatures; and
• the seals.

Step 2: Verification-route selection

Next, we decide whether the case requires:

• Norwich University of the Arts;
• Anglia Ruskin University;
• another awarding institution; or
• more than one source.

Step 3: Candidate consent

The graduate signs the required consent form.

Step 4: Academic verification

We contact the correct institution using the exact information shown on the academic documents.

Step 5: Authenticity review

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

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 postal or courier service.

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Frequently asked questions

Is a Norwich University College of the Arts degree still valid?

Yes.

The institution’s later change to Norwich University of the Arts does not invalidate qualifications issued under the earlier name.

Who verifies the degree?

Norwich University of the Arts handles current verification enquiries.

However, Anglia Ruskin University may hold the formal award record for a qualification conferred before August 2008.

Can I verify the degree through HEDD?

No.

HEDD directs applicants to contact the University directly.

What is the University called now?

It now operates as Norwich University of the Arts.

The institution gained full university status in 2013.

Who awarded degrees during 2007–08?

Anglia Ruskin University remained the awarding body until August 2008.

Norwich then began awarding its own bachelor’s and taught postgraduate degrees.

Which email address should I use?

The current Academic Registry email address is:

registry@norwichuni.ac.uk

Do I need candidate consent?

Yes.

The University requires the graduate’s authority before releasing personal academic information to a third party.

How much does verification cost?

HEDD lists the verification fee as unknown.

Therefore, Academic Registry should confirm any fee before the enquiry begins.

Can I obtain a transcript?

Yes, where Academic Registry holds the relevant record.

The transcript may include study dates, course information, unit results, credits and the final award.

Can I obtain a replacement certificate?

Yes, for eligible Norwich awards made since August 2008.

The current fee is £50, including registered postage.

What if Anglia Ruskin University awarded my degree?

Anglia Ruskin University may control the formal award confirmation or replacement-certificate route.

Norwich may still hold supporting information about the course and period of study.

Is university verification the same as solicitor certification?

No.

University 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.

Can I obtain an e-Apostille?

Possibly.

The document must qualify for the electronic route, and the receiving authority must accept it.

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.