Perth College UHI Degree Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Perth College UHI degree verification and apostille services for graduates who need to use their academic documents overseas.

Our service can include:

• direct UHI degree verification;
• awarding-body checks;
• enhanced solicitor certification;
• authenticity confirmation;
• FCDO apostille;
• a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
• embassy legalisation where required.

Perth College UHI now uses the name UHI Perth. It became part of the University of the Highlands and Islands partnership as Perth College UHI in 2010.

Who verifies a Perth College UHI degree?

The University of the Highlands and Islands verifies UHI degrees studied through Perth College UHI.

You cannot complete the verification through HEDD. Instead, a solicitor, employer or other authorised third party must contact UHI directly. The request should normally be made on professional headed paper and include the graduate’s consent.

UHI’s Student Records Office maintains the University’s central student records.

Current contact: SRO@uhi.ac.uk

Verification may confirm:

• whether the candidate studied at the institution;
• the qualification awarded;
• the grade or classification; and
• attendance dates.

Check the awarding body

The institution where a person studied may not be the organisation that awarded the degree.

UHI gained taught degree-awarding powers in August 2008. Since February 2011, taught degrees have carried the University of the Highlands and Islands name.

However, an older Perth College certificate may name:

• the Open University;
• the University of Aberdeen;
• the University of Strathclyde;
• UHI Millennium Institute;
• SQA; or
• another awarding body.

Therefore, we check the certificate before selecting the verification route.

Information required

We normally request:

• a clear scan of the certificate;
• the reverse side of the certificate;
• any available transcript;
• the graduate’s passport;
• full name used during study;
• date of birth;
• student number, if known;
• course and qualification titles;
• award year and classification;
• attendance dates;
• signed consent; and
• the intended country of use.

The exact name and award date are important because small differences can delay a historic-record search.

Transcripts and replacement certificates

UHI can issue additional academic transcripts for eligible undergraduate and taught postgraduate degree programmes.

A transcript can show the programme, modules, grades, credits and final award. The current charge is £5 per copy.

However, UHI normally keeps detailed module-achievement data for ten years after a student leaves. For an older award, it may still confirm the final degree even if it cannot produce a complete transcript.

Graduates can also request an eligible replacement certificate from the Student Records Office. The current administration charge is £35, with an additional overseas postage charge where applicable.

Where another university awarded the original qualification, that university may control the replacement-document process.

Enhanced solicitor certification

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

Enhanced solicitor certification can go further. Depending on the available evidence, our solicitor may:

1. obtain UHI or awarding-body verification;
2. review the original certificate;
3. compare the transcript or confirmation letter;
4. check the graduate’s identity;
5. confirm the institutional and award details; and
6. certify the document with wording supported by the evidence.

We only confirm authenticity where reliable verification supports that conclusion.

FCDO apostille

After verification and solicitor certification, the document can normally proceed to the FCDO for an apostille.

The Legalisation Office checks the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal against its records. It does not independently verify the academic qualification.

The usual process is:

UHI verification → solicitor certification → 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 does not include university verification, transcript production, solicitor enquiries, embassy legalisation or delivery.

Both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles are available, subject to document eligibility and acceptance by the receiving authority.

Embassy legalisation

Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the UK authentication stage.

Requirements vary. The authority may ask for:

• the original certificate;
• a solicitor-certified copy;
• direct university verification;
• an academic transcript;
• a certified translation; or
• specific certification wording.

Therefore, we check the destination requirements before preparing the document.

Our process

1. Review the certificate and identify the awarding body.
2. Obtain the graduate’s signed consent.
3. Request verification from UHI or the correct awarding institution.
4. Compare the verification with the certificate and identification.
5. Complete enhanced solicitor certification where supported.
6. Arrange the FCDO apostille.
7. Complete embassy legalisation where required.
8. Return the completed documents.

Frequently asked questions

Is Perth College UHI now called UHI Perth?

Yes. The institution currently uses the name UHI Perth.

Can I verify the degree through HEDD?

No. HEDD directs applicants to contact the University of the Highlands and Islands directly.

Do I need the graduate’s consent?

Yes. UHI requires consent before releasing personal academic information to a third party.

Who verifies an older degree?

The correct institution depends on the awarding body shown on the certificate. An older award may belong to UHI, the Open University, Aberdeen, Strathclyde or another body.

Can UHI provide a transcript?

Yes, for eligible degree records. However, full module information may not remain available for older awards.

Does an apostille verify the degree?

No. It authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

Can Ginkgo Advisory arrange a 2-working-day apostille?

Yes, once the document has completed verification and solicitor certification and is ready for FCDO submission.