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 Nottingham Polytechnic degree verification and apostille services for graduates who need to use their academic documents overseas.
Our solicitor-led service can include:
- HEDD degree verification;
- Nottingham Trent University record checks;
- CNAA award checks where relevant;
- 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.
Nottingham Polytechnic awarded recognised UK qualifications between 1988 and 1992.
In 1992, the institution gained university status and became Nottingham Trent University. Therefore, NTU now handles verification of Nottingham Polytechnic qualifications through HEDD.
Quick answers
Who verifies a Nottingham Polytechnic degree?
Nottingham Trent University verifies former Nottingham Polytechnic awards.
Third-party enquirers must normally submit the degree check through HEDD because NTU is an exclusive HEDD partner.
What can HEDD verify?
HEDD can check:
- whether the candidate is a current or former student;
- the qualification awarded;
- the grade or classification; and
- the dates of attendance.
However, NTU may not hold exact start and end dates for awards made before 2004.
Therefore, a Nottingham Polytechnic result may confirm the award, classification and award year without giving complete attendance dates.
Can the certificate receive an FCDO apostille?
Yes.
In most cases, our solicitor can certify a suitable copy before submitting it for an FCDO apostille.
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 covers the FCDO stage only. It begins after we complete the degree 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 step.
Therefore, we check the destination and receiving authority before preparing the document.
Nottingham Polytechnic and Nottingham Trent University
Trent Polytechnic adopted the name Nottingham Polytechnic in 1989.
Then, in 1992, the institution gained its university charter and became Nottingham Trent University.
As a result, a graduate may hold:
- a Nottingham Polytechnic degree certificate;
- a transcript issued under the former name;
- a HEDD result linked to Nottingham Trent University; or
- current correspondence from NTU.
This difference is normal.
However, an overseas employer or authority may not understand the institutional change. A HEDD result or NTU verification letter can connect the historic certificate with the current university.
Degree verification through HEDD
HEDD stands for Higher Education Degree Datacheck.
It allows an authorised third party to compare a candidate’s details with NTU’s student records.
NTU no longer responds to postal verification requests. Instead, it directs employers and agencies to submit all award-verification enquiries through HEDD.
The HEDD enquiry should normally include:
- the candidate’s name at the time of study;
- date of birth;
- institution;
- course title;
- qualification;
- year of award;
- grade or classification; and
- attendance dates, where known.
NTU recommends using the degree certificate as the basis of the enquiry. This approach increases the chance of an automatic match.
HEDD fee
The current HEDD fee for a Nottingham Polytechnic degree enquiry is £14.
The HEDD fee does not include:
- Ginkgo Advisory’s professional fee;
- solicitor certification;
- FCDO apostille;
- embassy legalisation;
- translation; or
- international delivery.
Who can use HEDD?
HEDD serves third-party enquirers.
These may include:
- employers;
- recruitment agencies;
- background-screening companies;
- solicitors;
- professional regulators;
- universities;
- embassies;
- government authorities; and
- document legalisation providers.
A graduate cannot normally use the third-party service to issue an official verification result to themselves.
Instead, the graduate authorises another organisation to submit the request.
Ginkgo Advisory can manage the HEDD enquiry as part of the wider certification and legalisation process.
Candidate consent
HEDD requires a consent form signed by the candidate.
The signed form must be uploaded as a:
- PDF;
- JPG;
- PNG; or
- TIF file.
The consent should clearly identify:
- the graduate;
- Nottingham Polytechnic or Nottingham Trent University;
- the authorised third party;
- the academic information that may be released;
- the candidate’s signature; and
- the date.
Before submission, we check the consent form and the academic details.
This review helps reduce delays caused by incomplete or inconsistent information.
HEDD processing time
HEDD may verify an exact match automatically.
However, if the information does not match the database, the enquiry passes to NTU’s student-records team for manual review.
NTU currently states a five-working-day turnaround for manually referred enquiries.
A manual review may become necessary where:
- the candidate used another name while studying;
- the course title is incomplete;
- the graduation year is incorrect;
- the classification does not match;
- the record contains limited historic information; or
- the attendance dates are unavailable.
Therefore, applicants should provide the information exactly as it appears on the original certificate and transcript.
Limits on historic information
Nottingham Polytechnic awards fall before 2004.
As a result, complete start and end dates may not appear in the current verification record. HEDD expressly warns that NTU may not hold specific attendance dates for pre-2004 awards.
NTU also states that, for graduates from 2001 or earlier, it may only be able to confirm limited information, such as:
- the qualification;
- the classification; and
- the award year.
This limitation does not mean that the qualification is invalid.
Instead, it reflects the information that remains available in the historic record.
Check the awarding body
The institution where a person studied and the formal awarding body may differ.
Some pre-1992 polytechnic degrees were awarded by the Council for National Academic Awards, known as CNAA.
However, not every polytechnic qualification was a CNAA award. Therefore, applicants should check the certificate rather than assume that every Nottingham Polytechnic degree follows the same route.
The certificate may name:
- Nottingham Polytechnic;
- CNAA;
- the Council for National Academic Awards;
- BTEC or Edexcel;
- another university;
- a professional body; or
- more than one institution.
This distinction may affect:
- award verification;
- replacement certificates;
- transcripts;
- certified award statements; and
- the document used for apostille purposes.
Replacement certificates for pre-1993 awards
NTU currently issues replacement certificates for awards obtained in 1993 or later.
However, for undergraduate and postgraduate awards obtained in 1992 or earlier, NTU directs graduates to The Open University to obtain a certificate-style pro forma. The current fee is £60.
The Open University maintains the digital archive of CNAA awards.
For an eligible CNAA qualification, it can provide:
- a certificate-style pro forma;
- a verification letter; or
- verification by email.
The current CNAA service takes up to seven working days. However, The Open University does not hold transcript information for CNAA awards.
Therefore, degree verification and replacement-document routes may differ.
A Nottingham Polytechnic award may receive HEDD verification through NTU, while a lost pre-1993 certificate may require a CNAA pro forma from The Open University.
Academic transcripts
A transcript shows the modules studied and the marks achieved during each year.
Nottingham Polytechnic awards are not eligible for NTU’s modern Higher Education Achievement Report because that digital service excludes pre-2004 awards.
However, former students can request advice about a paper or PDF transcript by contacting:
The graduate should provide:
- full name;
- date of birth;
- course;
- date of award;
- student number, if known; and
- a delivery address for a paper copy.
Transcript availability depends on the information that remains in the historic record.
NTU verification letters
A former student may also request a formal NTU verification letter.
The letter can confirm:
- the dates attended, where available;
- the course studied; and
- the qualification achieved.
The current fee for an NTU verification letter is £14.
A verification letter may help where:
- the overseas authority does not recognise Nottingham Polytechnic;
- the certificate gives limited information;
- the graduate needs confirmation from the current university;
- exact attendance dates are unavailable through HEDD; or
- the solicitor needs additional supporting evidence.
Degree verification and solicitor certification
They perform different roles.
Degree verification
HEDD, NTU or the correct 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 another.
Enhanced solicitor certification
A basic certified true copy confirms that the copy matches the original document shown to the solicitor.
However, it does not automatically confirm that Nottingham Polytechnic or CNAA issued the original certificate.
For stronger evidence, Ginkgo Advisory can provide enhanced solicitor certification.
The process may include:
- HEDD, NTU or CNAA verification;
- review of the original certificate;
- review of a transcript or verification letter;
- confirmation of the awarding body;
- comparison of the academic details;
- identity and name checks;
- authenticity confirmation; and
- solicitor certification.
Therefore, enhanced certification connects the historic certificate with an independent academic record.
However, our solicitor will only confirm authenticity where reliable evidence supports that conclusion.
FCDO apostille
A Nottingham Polytechnic 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 NTU verification letter;
- a certified academic transcript;
- a certified CNAA pro forma;
- a replacement document; or
- another eligible academic record.
The receiving authority may require a particular format.
Therefore, we first check whether it needs:
- the original certificate;
- a certified copy;
- HEDD verification;
- an NTU letter;
- a CNAA document; or
- a combined evidence pack.
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 route may therefore follow this order:
degree 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:
- we identify the correct awarding body;
- degree verification is complete;
- the required academic 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;
- NTU manual verification;
- CNAA processing;
- transcript production;
- verification-letter production;
- solicitor evidence enquiries;
- embassy legalisation; or
- international delivery.
Embassy legalisation
Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO stage.
A typical process may involve:
- degree verification;
- solicitor certification;
- FCDO apostille or authentication;
- embassy legalisation; and
- further processing in the destination country.
However, each embassy sets its own rules.
For example, it may require:
- the original certificate;
- a solicitor-certified copy;
- HEDD verification;
- an NTU verification letter;
- a CNAA pro forma;
- an academic transcript;
- 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 front and back of the 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:
- Nottingham Polytechnic HEDD verification;
- an NTU verification letter;
- CNAA verification;
- another awarding body; or
- more than one source.
Step 3: Candidate consent
The graduate signs the required consent form.
Step 4: Degree 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 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.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Nottingham Polytechnic degree still valid?
Yes.
Nottingham Polytechnic was a recognised UK degree-awarding body. Nottingham Trent University now verifies its former awards.
When did Nottingham Polytechnic become Nottingham Trent University?
The institution gained its university charter in 1992.
Who verifies the degree?
Nottingham Trent University verifies it through HEDD for third-party enquiries.
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.
How long does manual verification take?
NTU currently states a five-working-day turnaround where HEDD cannot produce an automatic match.
Can HEDD confirm my attendance dates?
Possibly.
However, NTU may not hold exact start and end dates for awards made before 2004.
Can I obtain a replacement Nottingham Polytechnic certificate?
For an award obtained in 1992 or earlier, NTU directs graduates to The Open University for a certificate-style pro forma.
Can I obtain a transcript?
Possibly.
Nottingham Polytechnic awards are not eligible for a modern HEAR, but former students can contact NTU about a paper or PDF transcript.
Is a Nottingham Polytechnic award always a CNAA degree?
No.
Many polytechnic degrees were CNAA awards, but not every qualification followed the CNAA route. Check the awarding body printed on the certificate.
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.
Contact Us
Address
Suite 161, 30 Red Lion Street, London, TW9 1RB, England