Queen Margaret College Degree Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Queen Margaret College degree verification and apostille services for graduates using their qualifications overseas.

Our service can include:

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

Queen Margaret College used that institutional name from 1972 until 1999. It then became Queen Margaret University College and, in 2007, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

Who verifies the qualification?

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh verifies Queen Margaret College qualifications through HEDD.

HEDD can check:

• current or former student status;
• the qualification awarded;
• the grade or classification; and
• attendance dates.

The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14.

University contact: registry@qmu.ac.uk

Candidate consent

The consent form must authorise both:

• HEDD; and
• the company submitting the enquiry.

Therefore, a form that only names Ginkgo Advisory or only names HEDD may not be sufficient.

The candidate must sign the consent form. The enquirer can upload it as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF file.

Information required

We normally request:

• the front and back 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 candidate consent; and
• the intended country of use.

Exact information helps QMU identify older records.

Check the awarding body

Queen Margaret College gained its own taught degree-awarding powers in September 1992. Therefore, applicants with earlier qualifications should check the awarding body printed on the certificate.

An older document may name:

• Queen Margaret College;
• CNAA;
• another university;
• a professional body; or
• another validating organisation.

The awarding body may control verification, transcripts and replacement documents.

Official QMU documents

Former students can request documents directly from Queen Margaret University.

Current options include:

• Confirmation of Award Letter: £15;
• duplicate academic transcript: £20;
• certified copy of a degree certificate: £10;
• replacement degree certificate: £25; and
• course document: £50.

Important historic limits apply:

• Confirmation of Award Letters are available for QMC, QMUC and QMU awards dating from 1977.
• Academic transcripts are available from 1990.
• Pre-1997 transcripts do not show credit values.
• Replacement degree certificates are only available for awards dating from 1994.
• Former students who studied before 2000 should contact the Document Request Team before paying.

Document requests may take up to four weeks.

Contact: DocumentRequest@qmu.ac.uk

Enhanced solicitor certification

A standard certified true copy confirms that the copy matches the original document shown to the solicitor.

Enhanced solicitor certification can also incorporate academic evidence. Depending on the case, our solicitor may:

1. obtain HEDD verification;
2. review the original certificate;
3. compare a QMU transcript or award letter;
4. check the graduate’s identity;
5. confirm the institutional history; and
6. 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 FCDO checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its records. It does not independently verify the academic award. Qualification certificates and certified copies may be legalised after suitable certification by a UK solicitor or notary.

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;
• university document production;
• solicitor enquiries;
• embassy legalisation; or
• delivery.

Paper apostilles and e-Apostilles are available. The receiving authority must accept the selected format.

Embassy legalisation

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

For a non-Hague destination, the process may include:

1. FCDO legalisation;
2. legalisation by the destination country’s embassy in London; and
3. approval by the destination country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Therefore, we check the overseas authority’s requirements before preparing the documents.

Our process

1. Review the certificate and identify the awarding body.
2. Obtain consent authorising both HEDD and Ginkgo Advisory.
3. Submit the HEDD verification request.
4. Obtain additional QMU documents where useful.
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 a Queen Margaret College qualification still valid?

Yes. The later name changes do not invalidate a recognised qualification.

What did Queen Margaret College become?

It became Queen Margaret University College in 1999 and Queen Margaret University in 2007.

How much does HEDD verification cost?

The current fee is £14.

Who must the consent form authorise?

It must authorise both HEDD and the organisation submitting the verification request.

Can I obtain an old transcript?

QMU provides duplicate transcripts for records dating from 1990, subject to availability. Pre-1997 transcripts do not show credit values.

Can I obtain a replacement certificate?

Replacement certificates are currently available for awards dating from 1994. For an earlier award, a Confirmation of Award Letter may provide suitable alternative evidence.

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 verification and solicitor certification are complete and the document is ready for FCDO submission.