Oxford Polytechnic Degree Verification, Solicitor Certification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Oxford Polytechnic degree verification and apostille services for graduates who need to use their academic documents overseas.

Our solicitor-led service can include:

• CNAA award verification;
• Oxford Brookes 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.

Oxford Polytechnic awarded recognised UK qualifications between 1970 and 1992.

In 1992, the institution gained university status and became Oxford Brookes University. However, CNAA validated Oxford Polytechnic degree awards. Therefore, most graduates should use The Open University’s CNAA verification service rather than a standard Oxford Brookes HEDD enquiry.

Quick answers

Who verifies an Oxford Polytechnic degree?

The Open University normally verifies the award where the certificate names:

• CNAA; or
• the Council for National Academic Awards.

The Open University now maintains the digital archive of CNAA awards. It can issue a certificate-style pro forma, a verification letter or email verification.

Can I verify the degree through HEDD?

HEDD lists Oxford Brookes University as the successor institution. However, Oxford Brookes’ current guidance directs holders of Oxford Polytechnic awards from 1992 or earlier to The Open University’s CNAA service. Therefore, applicants should check the awarding body before paying for a HEDD enquiry.

Can Oxford Brookes verify any Oxford Polytechnic awards?

Yes, in limited cases.

Oxford Polytechnic awarded some Polytechnic Diplomas directly. Oxford Brookes may provide verification of those awards on a new certificate, subject to the records available. Replica certificates are not available for this category.

What if BTEC awarded my qualification?

Pearson normally handles certificates and replacement evidence for BTEC awards issued in 1992 or earlier. Therefore, a BTEC, HNC or HND should not automatically follow the CNAA degree route.

Can an Oxford Polytechnic 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 documents.

However, this period covers the FCDO stage only. It begins after we complete the academic verification and solicitor certification.

Do I need embassy legalisation?

You may need embassy or consular legalisation if the destination does not accept an apostille as the final authentication step.

For some non-Hague destinations, the process continues through the relevant embassy after the UK legalisation stage.

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Oxford Polytechnic and Oxford Brookes University

Oxford Polytechnic became Oxford Brookes University in 1992.

Therefore, a graduate may hold:

• an Oxford Polytechnic certificate;
• a CNAA degree document;
• a transcript linked to Oxford Brookes;
• a current Oxford Brookes verification response; or
• a CNAA pro forma issued by The Open University.

These differences do not invalidate the qualification.

However, an overseas employer or regulator may not understand the relationship between the former Polytechnic, CNAA and Oxford Brookes University.

For that reason, the verification pack should clearly identify:

1. where the graduate studied;
2. which body awarded the qualification;
3. which organisation now holds the award record; and
4. which document the solicitor has certified.

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Check the awarding body first

The teaching institution and awarding body may not be the same organisation.

Oxford Polytechnic delivered the course. However, CNAA validated its degree awards.

Applicants should check the certificate for:

• “CNAA”;
• “Council for National Academic Awards”;
• Oxford Polytechnic;
• BTEC;
• Pearson or Edexcel;
• another validating university;
• signatures and seals; and
• wording about the award.

Not every qualification offered by a former polytechnic came under CNAA. Therefore, the certificate itself must guide the verification route.

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Route 1: CNAA award verification

CNAA operated as a major UK degree-awarding body between 1965 and 1992.

The Open University now maintains the CNAA award archive and provides verification services.

A CNAA result can normally confirm:

• the graduate’s name at the time of the award;
• the qualification;
• the classification;
• the award date; and
• the institution where the graduate studied.

The Open University can provide:

• a certificate-style pro forma;
• a letter of verification; or
• verification by email.

CNAA fee and processing time

The current fee is £60.

The Open University advises applicants to allow up to seven working days after it receives the signed authorisation form. The graduate can apply directly, or a third party can apply with signed consent.

Can CNAA provide a transcript?

No.

The Open University does not hold transcript information for CNAA awards. Therefore, it cannot normally verify individual modules, marks or detailed study information.

Where a transcript is required, the graduate may also need to approach Oxford Brookes University.

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Route 2: Oxford Brookes University records

Oxford Brookes may hold supporting academic information connected with study at Oxford Polytechnic.

For example, the University may be able to provide:

• a historic transcript;
• local study information;
• verification of an Oxford Polytechnic Diploma; or
• another academic record, subject to availability.

Oxford Brookes directs former students with transcript enquiries to Student Central. It also confirms that Polytechnic Diplomas awarded directly by Oxford Polytechnic may receive verification on a new certificate.

The current Student Central contact is:

studentcentral@brookes.ac.uk

A combined evidence pack may therefore include:

• CNAA verification of the final degree;
• an Oxford Brookes transcript;
• the original certificate; and
• solicitor certification.

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Route 3: BTEC and other qualifications

Not every Oxford Polytechnic document represents a CNAA degree.

The graduate may instead hold:

• a BTEC qualification;
• an HNC;
• an HND;
• a Polytechnic Diploma;
• a professional qualification; or
• another externally awarded certificate.

Oxford Brookes directs holders of pre-1993 BTEC certificates to Pearson.

Therefore:

• CNAA verifies eligible degree awards;
• Oxford Brookes may verify its own Polytechnic Diplomas;
• Pearson handles relevant BTEC records; and
• another awarding body may control other qualifications.

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Candidate consent

A third-party CNAA verification requires the graduate’s signed authorisation.

The consent should identify:

• the graduate;
• the qualification;
• the authorised third party;
• the academic information that may be released;
• the purpose of the request;
• the graduate’s signature; and
• the date.

The Open University requires a hand-signed authorisation form for a third-party CNAA request.

Ginkgo Advisory can prepare and check the consent before submission.

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Information required for verification

We normally request:

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

Small differences may delay a historic 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;
• confusion between Oxford Polytechnic and Oxford Brookes;
• confusion between CNAA and The Open University; or
• an incorrect awarding body.

Therefore, we use the exact wording shown on the academic document.

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Verification and solicitor certification

Academic verification and solicitor certification serve different purposes.

Academic verification

The Open University, Oxford Brookes or another awarding body checks the qualification record.

Solicitor verification

Our solicitor reviews the certificate, verification evidence and identification documents.

Solicitor certification

The solicitor places a formal certification statement on the document or copy.

FCDO apostille

The FCDO authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

Therefore, one stage does not replace another.

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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 prove that CNAA or Oxford Polytechnic issued the original certificate.

For stronger evidence, Ginkgo Advisory can provide enhanced solicitor certification.

The process may include:

1. CNAA, Oxford Brookes or awarding-body verification;
2. review of the original certificate;
3. review of a transcript or verification letter;
4. confirmation of the correct awarding body;
5. comparison of the academic details;
6. identity and name checks;
7. authenticity confirmation; and
8. 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.

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FCDO apostille

An Oxford Polytechnic qualification 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 CNAA pro forma;
• a certified CNAA verification letter;
• a certified Oxford Brookes transcript;
• a Polytechnic Diploma verification document; or
• another eligible academic record.

The FCDO legalises a document by checking the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. An apostille does not independently verify the graduate’s academic record.

A strong route may therefore follow this order:

award verification → authenticity review → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

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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, this period covers the FCDO stage only.

It begins after:

• we identify the correct awarding body;
• CNAA or other 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:

• CNAA verification;
• Oxford Brookes record searches;
• transcript production;
• Pearson processing;
• solicitor evidence enquiries;
• embassy legalisation; or
• international delivery.

The FCDO also offers paper apostilles and e-Apostilles. An e-Apostille requires an electronically signed PDF from a UK solicitor or notary.

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Embassy legalisation

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

A typical process may involve:

1. academic verification;
2. solicitor certification;
3. FCDO apostille or authentication;
4. embassy or consular legalisation; and
5. further approval in the destination country.

However, each embassy sets its own rules.

For example, it may require:

• the original certificate;
• a solicitor-certified copy;
• CNAA verification;
• a certificate-style pro forma;
• an Oxford Brookes transcript;
• 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 certificate.

We identify:

• the teaching 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:

• CNAA verification;
• Oxford Brookes verification;
• Pearson;
• another awarding body; or
• more than one source.

Step 3: Candidate consent

The graduate signs the required authorisation form.

Step 4: Academic verification

We submit the request 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 an Oxford Polytechnic degree still valid?

Yes.

The institution’s change to Oxford Brookes University does not invalidate its former qualifications.

What did Oxford Polytechnic become?

Oxford Polytechnic became Oxford Brookes University in 1992.

Who verifies an Oxford Polytechnic degree?

The Open University normally verifies it where CNAA awarded the degree.

Can I use HEDD?

HEDD lists the legacy institution. However, Oxford Brookes currently directs holders of Oxford Polytechnic awards from 1992 or earlier to the CNAA service.

How much does CNAA verification cost?

The current fee is £60.

How long does CNAA verification take?

The Open University advises applicants to allow up to seven working days.

Can CNAA provide a replacement certificate?

The Open University can provide a certificate-style pro forma rather than an exact replica of the original certificate.

Can CNAA provide a transcript?

No.

The Open University does not hold transcript information for CNAA awards.

Can Oxford Brookes provide a transcript?

Possibly.

Former students can contact Oxford Brookes Student Central about historic transcripts and available records.

What if I hold an Oxford Polytechnic Diploma?

Oxford Brookes may provide verification on a new certificate, subject to the availability of records.

What if BTEC awarded my certificate?

Pearson normally handles relevant pre-1993 BTEC certificate requests.

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 award 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.