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 Norwich University 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 verification;
- enhanced solicitor certification;
- authenticity confirmation;
- certified true copies;
- FCDO apostille;
- a 2-working-day express option;
- embassy or consular legalisation; and
- international return delivery.
Norwich University of the Arts is a recognised UK specialist university. It currently awards undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees in creative subjects.
Quick answers
Who verifies a Norwich University of the Arts degree?
Norwich University of the Arts verifies its qualifications directly.
You cannot obtain the verification through HEDD. Instead, the graduate or authorised third party must contact the University. The verification may confirm student status, the award, the grade and attendance dates.
Which team handles academic-document enquiries?
The University’s Registry team handles queries about certificates and transcripts.
The current email address is:
The University’s older HEDD record still shows registry@nua.ac.uk. Therefore, applicants should use the current University address.
Can the degree certificate receive an FCDO apostille?
Yes.
A UK solicitor can usually certify a suitable copy before submitting it to the FCDO. The Legalisation Office can legalise qualification certificates that carry an eligible UK public signature.
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, this period begins after we complete the university verification and solicitor certification.
Do I also need embassy legalisation?
Possibly.
For a non-Hague destination, the document may require an embassy stamp after the FCDO stage. It may then need approval from the destination country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Direct degree verification rather than HEDD
Norwich University of the Arts does not use HEDD to process online degree checks.
Instead, applicants must contact the University directly. The University may check:
- whether the person is a current or former student;
- the qualification awarded;
- the grade or classification; and
- the attendance dates.
The published verification fee remains unknown. Therefore, Registry should confirm any charge and expected processing time when the enquiry begins.
Ginkgo Advisory can coordinate this enquiry as part of the wider certification and legalisation process.
Candidate consent
The University requires the graduate’s consent before it releases academic information to a third party.
The HEDD listing does not provide a fixed consent form. Instead, it tells 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;
- study dates;
- the authorised third party;
- the information that the University may release;
- the graduate’s signature; and
- the date.
Ginkgo Advisory can prepare the consent and submit the request on the graduate’s behalf.
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;
- evidence of any name change; and
- signed candidate consent.
Accurate information helps the University locate the correct record.
For example, a missing middle name, shortened course title or incorrect graduation year may delay the search. Therefore, we copy the details directly from the academic documents wherever possible.
Academic transcripts and certificates
Norwich University of the Arts issues academic transcripts and award certificates for qualifications within its responsibility.
Its current student regulations include a dedicated section covering academic transcripts, certificates and graduation. In addition, the University directs certificate and transcript questions to Registry.
An academic transcript may support:
- overseas employment;
- professional registration;
- postgraduate study;
- immigration applications;
- credential evaluation; and
- enhanced solicitor certification.
However, a transcript does not automatically replace degree verification.
The receiving authority decides which documents it will accept.
Replacement degree certificates
Norwich University of the Arts can issue a replacement degree certificate where the original has been lost or damaged.
The University has awarded its own bachelor’s and taught postgraduate degrees since August 2008. The current replacement-certificate fee is £50, including registered postage.
Different routes apply to older qualifications:
- Pearson holds many pre-1992 HNC, HND and BTEC records.
- Anglia Ruskin University awarded qualifications for the institution between 1992 and August 2008.
- The Open University holds CNAA records for many pre-1992 bachelor’s degrees.
Therefore, applicants should check the awarding body before ordering a replacement.
For a current Norwich University of the Arts degree, the University will normally control the replacement route.
Degree verification and solicitor certification
They perform different roles.
Degree verification
Norwich University of the Arts 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 statement on the document or copy.
FCDO apostille
The FCDO checks the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.
Therefore, one stage does not replace another.
Basic solicitor certification
A basic certified true copy confirms that the copy matches the original document shown to the solicitor.
It answers one main question:
Does this copy match the original document presented?
However, basic certification does not automatically prove that the University issued the original certificate.
As a result, some overseas authorities may also request independent university verification.
Enhanced solicitor certification
Ginkgo Advisory offers enhanced solicitor certification where reliable evidence supports it.
First, we obtain or review direct confirmation from Norwich University of the Arts.
Next, our solicitor compares that evidence with the certificate and identification documents.
Finally, the solicitor prepares wording that reflects the checks completed.
The enhanced process may include:
- direct university verification;
- review of the original certificate;
- review of an academic transcript or university letter;
- comparison of the award details;
- identity and name checks;
- authenticity confirmation; and
- solicitor certification.
Therefore, enhanced certification connects the certificate with an independent university record.
However, our solicitor will only confirm authenticity when the available evidence supports that conclusion.
FCDO apostille
A Norwich University of the Arts degree certificate can usually receive an FCDO apostille after correct preparation.
Depending on the receiving authority’s requirements, the apostille route may use:
- a solicitor-certified degree certificate;
- a certified academic transcript;
- an official university letter;
- a replacement certificate; or
- another eligible academic document.
The FCDO can legalise a qualification certificate after a UK solicitor or notary certifies it. Applicants should first check whether the overseas authority needs the original document or a certified copy.
What does the apostille confirm?
An apostille does not check the graduate’s academic record.
Instead, the FCDO checks whether the signature, stamp or seal matches its official records. If it matches, the Legalisation Office attaches the apostille.
A strong document route may therefore follow this order:
university verification → authenticity review → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille
Each stage provides a different type of assurance.
Two-working-day express FCDO 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:
- university verification is complete;
- we receive the correct academic document;
- 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;
- transcript production;
- replacement-certificate production;
- solicitor evidence enquiries;
- embassy legalisation; or
- international delivery.
The FCDO also offers an e-Apostille route for eligible PDFs that a UK solicitor or notary has signed electronically. However, the receiving authority must accept the electronic format.
Embassy legalisation
Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO stage.
A typical non-Hague route may involve:
- degree verification;
- solicitor certification;
- FCDO apostille or authentication;
- embassy legalisation; and
- further approval in the destination country.
However, each embassy sets its own rules.
For example, it may require:
- the original degree certificate;
- a solicitor-certified copy;
- direct university verification;
- an academic transcript;
- an official university letter;
- a certified translation;
- a passport copy; or
- specific certification wording.
Therefore, we check the destination requirements before preparing the document.
Our process
Step 1: Document review
First, we review the certificate and the receiving authority’s instructions.
Step 2: Candidate consent
Next, the graduate signs the required consent form.
Step 3: University verification
We contact Norwich University of the Arts using the exact academic details shown on the documents.
Step 4: Authenticity review
Our solicitor compares the University’s response with the certificate and identification evidence.
Step 5: Solicitor certification
Where the information 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.
We then return the documents through the agreed postal or courier service.
Frequently asked questions
Is Norwich University of the Arts a recognised UK university?
Yes.
It is a specialist creative arts university that awards undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees.
Who verifies its degrees?
Norwich University of the Arts verifies them directly.
Can I use HEDD?
No.
HEDD directs applicants to contact the University instead.
Which email address should I use?
The current Registry email is:
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 enquiry fee as unknown.
Therefore, Registry should confirm any fee when the request begins.
Can I obtain a replacement certificate?
Yes, for an eligible Norwich University of the Arts award.
The current replacement fee is £50, including registered postage.
Can I obtain a transcript?
The University handles certificate and transcript queries through Registry.
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.
Contact Us
Address
Suite 161, 30 Red Lion Street, London, TW9 1RB, England