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 Queen Charlotte’s College of Health Care Studies degree verification and apostille services for former students using their qualifications overseas.
Our service can include:
- HEDD qualification verification;
- University of West London document checks;
- enhanced solicitor certification;
- authenticity confirmation;
- FCDO apostille;
- a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
- embassy legalisation where required.
Queen Charlotte’s College of Health Care Studies awarded recognised qualifications between 1970 and 1990. The University of West London, known as UWL, now manages its former student records.
Who verifies the qualification?
UWL verifies Queen Charlotte’s College qualifications exclusively through HEDD for third-party enquiries.
HEDD can check:
- whether the candidate was a student;
- the qualification awarded;
- the grade or classification; and
- attendance dates.
The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14. However, verification of records from before 1994 remains subject to availability.
Current students cannot use HEDD. Instead, they should request a letter from UWL.
Candidate consent
A third-party HEDD request requires a consent form signed by the candidate.
The enquirer must upload the consent as a:
- PDF;
- JPG;
- PNG; or
- TIF file.
We normally request:
- the front and back of the certificate;
- any available transcript;
- the former student’s passport;
- full name used during study;
- date of birth;
- student number, if known;
- course and qualification titles;
- award year and result;
- attendance dates;
- signed consent; and
- the intended country of use.
Historic searches work best when the submitted details match the original academic documents exactly.
Official letters and transcripts
Former students of UWL and its predecessor institutions can request official documents from the Transcripts Team.
Current options include:
- confirmation of award letter: £15;
- attendance letter: no fee;
- pre-1992 academic transcript: £45, subject to availability;
- certified copy of a certificate or transcript: £10; and
- course syllabus: £15, subject to availability.
UWL asks applicants to allow around 10 to 15 days for the team to respond.
Contact: transcripts@uwl.ac.uk
Transcript of Training
Healthcare graduates may need more than a standard academic transcript.
UWL offers a Transcript of Training for former nursing, midwifery and healthcare students. It can provide a breakdown of the theory and clinical hours completed during the course.
This document can support overseas professional registration. UWL normally sends it directly to the overseas regulatory body because many regulators do not accept documents submitted by the applicant.
The current fee is £50, subject to record availability.
Replacement certificates
A replacement certificate may be available where the original has been lost, stolen or irretrievably damaged.
For awards issued before 1992, the current fee is £55, subject to availability. The applicant must complete and hand-sign the University’s replacement-certificate form.
The replacement may use the current UWL format rather than reproduce the original Queen Charlotte’s College design.
Enhanced solicitor certification
A basic certified true copy only confirms that the copy matches the document shown to the solicitor.
Enhanced solicitor certification can also use independent academic evidence. Depending on the case, our solicitor may:
- obtain HEDD verification;
- review the original certificate;
- compare an official UWL letter or transcript;
- confirm the former and current institution names;
- check the graduate’s identity; 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:
HEDD verification → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille
The Legalisation Office checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its records. It does not independently check the academic record.
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;
- transcript or certificate production;
- solicitor verification;
- embassy legalisation; or
- delivery.
Paper apostilles and e-Apostilles are available. The receiving authority must accept the chosen format.
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 verification;
- a Transcript of Training;
- an official UWL letter;
- a certified translation; or
- specific certification wording.
Therefore, we check the destination and professional regulator’s requirements before preparing the documents.
Our process
- Review the qualification and identify the awarding body.
- Obtain the former student’s signed consent.
- Submit the HEDD verification request.
- Obtain additional UWL documents where required.
- Complete enhanced solicitor certification where supported.
- Arrange the FCDO apostille.
- Complete embassy legalisation where necessary.
- Return the completed documents.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Queen Charlotte’s College qualification still valid?
Yes. Later institutional mergers and name changes do not invalidate a recognised qualification.
Who verifies the qualification?
The University of West London verifies it exclusively through HEDD for third-party enquiries.
How much does HEDD verification cost?
The current enquiry fee is £14.
Are historic records guaranteed?
No. UWL states that verification of qualifications awarded before 1994 remains subject to record availability.
Can I obtain an old academic transcript?
Possibly. A pre-1992 transcript currently costs £45 and remains subject to availability.
What should a nurse or midwife request?
An overseas professional regulator may require a Transcript of Training showing theory and clinical hours. The current fee is £50.
Can I obtain a replacement certificate?
Possibly. A pre-1992 replacement currently costs £55 and remains subject to availability.
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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