UK Degree Verification and Apostille for Universidade Católica Portuguesa

Are you applying to Universidade Católica Portuguesa, also known as Católica or UCP, with a UK degree?

You may need to verify and legalise your degree certificate and academic transcript before enrolment. However, UCP does not use one document rule for every campus, faculty or programme.

Ginkgo Advisory provides a complete UK degree verification and Apostille service for Universidade Católica Portuguesa.

We can assist with:

• UK degree and transcript verification
• HEDD degree checks
• Verification through Parchment, Digitary CORE and other secure platforms
• Direct verification with the awarding university
• Enhanced solicitor certification confirming authenticity
• UK FCDO Apostille
• A two-working-day express Apostille option
• Paper and electronic Apostilles
• International delivery to Portugal
• Embassy legalisation for non-Hague countries

Does a UK Degree Need an Apostille for Católica?

It depends on the campus and programme.

Some UCP programmes require all foreign degrees, transcripts and certificates to carry a Hague Apostille or Portuguese consular authentication. For example, current Católica Lisbon Faculty of Human Sciences guidance requires authentication of foreign academic documents and asks students to present originals after admission.

Católica Porto Business School also states that students must present original foreign academic certificates, duly legalised or apostilled, before classes begin.

However, some current Católica Porto programme pages expressly exempt documents issued in the United Kingdom from legalisation. For example, the Faculty of Education and Psychology’s 2026/27 guidance excludes UK-issued documents from its Apostille requirement.

Therefore, UK graduates should not assume that an Apostille is always required or always unnecessary.

Before starting, check:

• The campus
• The faculty or school
• The programme
• The current application notice
• The admission email
• The final enrolment checklist

Which Documents May Need Legalisation?

Depending on the programme, Católica may request:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• Academic transcript
• Graduation or completion certificate
• Provisional degree certificate
• Diploma supplement
• Final classification
• Grading-scale information
• Proof of completed course units

Some programmes allow applicants to upload ordinary copies during the application stage. However, successful applicants may later need to present original or certified academic documents before classes begin.

Do Both the Degree and Transcript Need an Apostille?

Where the programme requires legalisation, applicants may need to process both documents.

Several Católica programmes refer to foreign:

• Degrees
• Transcripts
• Academic certificates

Therefore, an Apostille on the degree alone may not be enough.

Separate Apostilles usually provide the safer option:

• One Apostille for the degree certificate
• One Apostille for the academic transcript

Separate processing also allows you to use each document independently in the future.

However, you should ask Católica whether it accepts one Apostille for a combined document bundle before choosing that route.

Must You Send the Original Degree Certificate?

Not always.

During the application stage, many programmes accept uploaded copies or academic records from a student portal.

However, Católica may later require:

• The original degree certificate
• The original transcript
• An authenticated copy
• A secure electronic academic document
• A legalised or apostilled document

For example, current Católica Porto guidance for several master’s programmes requires students to present original qualification documents at or before registration.

Therefore, do not courier valuable originals until the programme confirms the required format.

What Is UK Degree Verification?

Degree verification confirms that a recognised UK university genuinely awarded the qualification.

A scan or photocopy only shows the contents of the document. It does not independently confirm authenticity.

We may verify the qualification through:

• HEDD
• Parchment
• Digitary CORE
• Gradintelligence
• A secure university portal
• A QR code or authentication code
• A valid digital signature
• Direct confirmation from the university
• An official university email

The verification may confirm:

• The graduate’s name
• The qualification
• The subject
• The classification
• The award date
• Attendance dates
• The academic transcript
• The validity of the electronic record

What Is Enhanced Solicitor Certification?

Basic certification usually confirms that a copy matches the document shown to the solicitor.

Enhanced solicitor certification goes further.

After verification, our solicitor may confirm:

• How we received the document
• Which verification system we used
• Whether HEDD confirmed the award
• Whether the university confirmed the qualification
• Whether we checked a verification code
• Whether we validated a digital signature
• Whether the certified copy matches the verified academic record
• Whether the evidence confirms authenticity

This wording creates a clear link between the official university record and the certified document.

However, enhanced certification does not replace Católica’s programme-specific rules. If the school requires an original or another type of authenticated copy, the applicant must follow that requirement.

How Does the FCDO Apostille Work?

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office checks the signature, stamp or seal on the document.

Qualification certificates and copies can receive legalisation after a UK public official, such as a solicitor or notary, has certified them. The FCDO then attaches an Apostille if the document meets its requirements.

The stages are different:

• University verification confirms the academic record.
• Solicitor certification records the checks completed.
• The Apostille authenticates the solicitor’s signature and professional capacity.

The Apostille does not assess the qualification or guarantee admission to Católica.

Paper Apostille or e-Apostille?

The FCDO offers both paper and electronic Apostilles.

A paper Apostille may offer the safer route where:

• Católica wants original documents
• Academic Services will inspect the papers
• The school requires physical legalised copies
• The programme has not approved an e-Apostille

An e-Apostille may work where:

• The university issued a secure electronic document
• Our solicitor signs the document electronically
• Católica accepts digital legalisation
• The entire document can be submitted as one electronic file

Applicants should obtain written confirmation before relying only on an e-Apostille.

Do English Documents Need Translation?

Many Católica programmes accept documents in English without translation.

For example, Católica Lisbon Faculty of Human Sciences requires translation into Portuguese only where the foreign academic documents are not in English, French or Spanish.

Several Católica Porto programmes apply similar rules and accept English documents.

Therefore, a standard UK degree and transcript in English will often not need translation.

Nevertheless, the applicant should check the programme’s current notice because language rules can vary.

Our Católica Document Process

Step 1: Send us the programme requirements

Please provide:

• The programme name
• The campus and faculty
• Your admission email
• The application or enrolment notice
• The document deadline

Step 2: Send copies of the academic documents

Send clear copies of:

• Your degree certificate
• Your transcript
• Any diploma supplement
• Any provisional certificate
• Any grading-scale statement

Step 3: Confirm whether legalisation is required

We check whether the specific Católica programme:

• Requires an Apostille
• Exempts UK documents
• Wants the original
• Accepts a certified copy
• Accepts electronic documents
• Requires separate Apostilles

Step 4: Complete verification and certification

Where appropriate, our solicitor verifies the documents and prepares enhanced authenticity-confirmation wording.

Step 5: Obtain the FCDO Apostille

If Católica requires legalisation, we submit the correctly prepared documents to the FCDO.

A two-working-day express option is available for suitable documents.

Step 6: Arrange delivery

We can return the completed documents to the United Kingdom, Portugal or another international destination.

Why Choose Ginkgo Advisory?

Ginkgo Advisory provides:

• Direct handling by a solicitor in England and Wales
• Review of Católica programme requirements
• HEDD and alternative verification routes
• Enhanced solicitor certification
• Paper and electronic Apostille support
• A two-working-day express FCDO option
• Advice on original and certified-copy routes
• International courier delivery

Most importantly, we first confirm whether your specific Católica programme actually requires an Apostille.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a UK degree need an Apostille for Universidade Católica Portuguesa?

It depends on the programme. Some Católica programmes require Apostilles for foreign documents, while some current Porto programmes exempt UK-issued documents.

Do I need to apostille both my degree and transcript?

Possibly. Where the programme requires legalisation of both documents, separate Apostilles usually provide the safer route.

Can I apply before obtaining the Apostille?

Often, yes. Some programmes accept uploaded documents for the application but require legalised originals or certified records before enrolment or the start of classes.

Does Católica require original documents?

Many programmes ask successful applicants to present original academic documents. The exact timing and format vary.

Can a UK solicitor certify my degree?

Yes. A UK solicitor can verify and certify suitable academic documents. However, Católica must accept that certification route.

Does an Apostille verify my qualification?

No. Degree verification confirms the academic award. The Apostille authenticates the UK public official’s signature.

Do English degree documents need translation?

Usually not, but applicants should check the rules of their faculty and programme.

Can Católica accept an e-Apostille?

Possibly. Obtain written confirmation before choosing an electronic Apostille.

How quickly can the Apostille be completed?

We offer a two-working-day express FCDO option for suitable documents after verification and preparation.

Contact Ginkgo Advisory

To request a quotation, please send:

• Your degree certificate
• Your academic transcript
• The full Católica programme name
• The campus and faculty
• The application or enrolment checklist
• Your final deadline
• Your return-delivery city and postcode

We will confirm the correct verification, certification and legalisation route.