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 Polytechnic South West degree verification and apostille services for graduates using their qualifications overseas.
Our service can include:
- HEDD or direct University verification;
- enhanced solicitor certification;
- authenticity confirmation;
- FCDO apostille;
- a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
- embassy legalisation where required.
Polytechnic South West issued recognised qualifications between 1989 and 1992. The University of Plymouth now manages its former student and award records.
Who verifies the qualification?
Third-party enquirers can submit a verification request through HEDD.
The check may confirm:
- whether the candidate studied at the institution;
- the qualification awarded;
- the classification;
- the award date; and
- attendance dates.
The current HEDD fee is £32. However, HEDD currently warns that the University’s verification department is relocating and may need an additional two to three weeks to access pre-1993 records.
The University also offers a direct third-party verification service for £15. The result is supplied electronically by email and requires signed consent from the former student.
Contact: examsandawards@plymouth.ac.uk
Strict HEDD consent requirements
The candidate must use a HEDD consent form that:
- names the University of Plymouth;
- carries a handwritten signature;
- is dated within the previous three months; and
- is uploaded as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF file.
The University does not accept digital signatures for this HEDD route.
Information required
We normally request:
- the front and back of the certificate;
- any available academic documents;
- the graduate’s passport;
- the name used during study;
- date of birth;
- student number, if known;
- course and qualification titles;
- award year and classification;
- attendance dates;
- signed candidate consent; and
- the intended country of use.
Exact information is important because the University may need to search historic paper records.
Award verification letters
Polytechnic South West graduates can order a pre-1993 Award Verification Letter directly from the University.
The letter confirms:
- the course studied;
- the award obtained;
- the date of the award; and
- attendance dates.
The current fee is £25. Processing normally takes seven working days, although busy periods may extend this to ten working days. The graduate must place the order personally.
Transcripts and alumni certificates
The University states that it cannot provide degree transcripts for graduates who completed their studies before 1993 because detailed module information is unavailable.
Instead, it can provide an Award Verification Letter or an alumni certificate confirming the course and award.
Eligible Polytechnic South West graduates can order an alumni certificate printed on current University of Plymouth parchment.
The current fee is:
- £55 for the certificate; or
- £75 with DHL international delivery.
The University normally processes the document within seven working days, or up to ten working days during busy periods.
This current £55 price replaces the older £50 figure still shown in the HEDD notice.
Enhanced solicitor certification
A basic certified true copy only confirms that the copy matches the document presented to the solicitor.
Enhanced solicitor certification can also use independent academic evidence. Depending on the case, our solicitor may:
- obtain HEDD or University verification;
- review the original certificate;
- compare an Award Verification Letter;
- check the graduate’s identity;
- confirm the institutional and award details; and
- certify the document using 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 usual route is:
academic verification → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille
An apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not independently verify the qualification.
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:
- HEDD processing;
- historic record searches;
- verification-letter production;
- certificate production;
- solicitor enquiries;
- embassy legalisation; or
- delivery.
Embassy legalisation
Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO stage.
The overseas authority may request:
- the original certificate;
- a solicitor-certified copy;
- HEDD or University verification;
- an Award Verification Letter;
- a certified translation; or
- specific certification wording.
Therefore, we check the destination requirements before preparing the documents.
Our process
- Review the certificate and award details.
- Obtain the graduate’s signed consent.
- Submit the HEDD or University verification request.
- Obtain an Award Verification Letter where useful.
- Complete enhanced solicitor certification where supported.
- Arrange the FCDO apostille.
- Complete embassy legalisation where required.
- Return the completed documents.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Polytechnic South West qualification still valid?
Yes. Later institutional changes do not invalidate recognised qualifications issued under the Polytechnic South West name.
Who verifies the qualification?
The University of Plymouth verifies it through HEDD or its direct third-party service.
How much does verification cost?
HEDD currently charges £32. The University’s direct electronic third-party verification service currently costs £15.
Can I use a digital signature?
Not for the HEDD route. The form must be hand-signed and dated within the previous three months.
Can I obtain a transcript?
The University states that detailed degree transcripts are unavailable for graduates who completed their studies before 1993.
Can I obtain a replacement certificate?
Eligible graduates can order a University of Plymouth alumni certificate for £55. It uses current University parchment rather than recreating the original Polytechnic certificate.
Does an apostille verify the qualification?
No. It authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.
Can Ginkgo Advisory arrange a 2-working-day apostille?
Yes, once verification and solicitor certification are complete and the document is ready for FCDO submission.
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