UK Degree Verification and Apostille for NOVA University Lisbon and Nova SBE

Are you applying to NOVA University Lisbon or Nova School of Business and Economics, commonly known as Nova SBE, with a UK degree?

You will normally need to provide an official academic transcript and proof that you completed your bachelor’s degree. However, you should not automatically obtain an Apostille before checking your admission and enrolment instructions.

NOVA University Lisbon consists of several schools. Each school can set its own document and legalisation rules.

Therefore, the requirements used by Nova SBE may differ from those used by NOVA School of Law, NOVA FCT, NOVA Medical School or another NOVA faculty.

Ginkgo Advisory provides a complete UK degree verification and Apostille service for NOVA University Lisbon and Nova SBE.

We can assist with:

• UK degree verification
• Academic transcript verification
• HEDD degree checks
• Verification through secure university platforms
• Direct checks with the awarding university
• Enhanced solicitor certification
• Academic document authenticity confirmation
• UK FCDO Apostille where required
• 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 Nova SBE?

Not necessarily.

Nova SBE’s current general master’s admissions page does not state that every UK or foreign degree must carry an Apostille.

Instead, Nova SBE asks all master’s applicants to provide an official transcript with:

• The full list of courses
• The grades obtained
• The student’s identification
• The name or logo of the awarding institution
• The name of the bachelor’s programme

Nova SBE also states that enrolment depends on the student providing an official bachelor’s graduation certificate within the first month of classes.

Therefore, a UK applicant should first check:

• The admission offer
• The enrolment instructions
• Any email from the Admissions Team
• The programme-specific checklist
• Whether Nova SBE has expressly requested legalisation

Where Nova SBE has not requested an Apostille, verification through the university or a secure platform may be enough.

When Might Nova SBE Require an Apostille?

An Apostille may still be required where:

• Nova SBE gives a specific legalisation instruction
• The authenticity of the academic document needs further confirmation
• The document will support a separate Portuguese recognition application
• Another NOVA school is involved
• A professional or government authority will also use the documents
• The applicant needs the documents for another purpose in Portugal

NOVA University Lisbon schools do not all use the same rule.

For example, NOVA School of Law states that it may ask applicants with foreign documents to obtain Portuguese consular recognition or a Hague Apostille if questions arise about the documents. NOVA FCT also requires Apostilles or consular endorsement for some postgraduate and doctoral applications.

Therefore, applicants should follow the rules of the school and programme that will receive the documents.

What Documents Does Nova SBE Require?

For its standard master’s applications, Nova SBE currently asks all candidates to provide:

• A photograph
• A copy of their identity document
• A curriculum vitae in English
• An official academic transcript
• A motivation letter in English
• Evidence of English ability, unless an exemption applies
• Any programme-specific documents

The official transcript must identify the student, awarding institution and bachelor’s programme. It must also list the completed courses and grades.

A bachelor’s diploma may be uploaded when available. Moreover, the student must provide an official graduation certificate within the first month of classes to complete enrolment.

Does Nova SBE Verify Academic Documents?

Yes.

Nova SBE states that it cross-checks certifications with the organisations that issued them.

Therefore, applicants should submit genuine and verifiable documents.

Suitable documents may include:

• An official paper transcript
• A secure electronic transcript
• A university-issued graduation certificate
• A digitally signed degree certificate
• A Parchment or Digitary CORE record
• A document with a QR code
• A document with a secure verification number

A normal scan may support the application. However, Nova SBE may later ask for stronger evidence or an official graduation document.

Do Both the Degree and Transcript Need an Apostille?

Only if Nova SBE or another receiving authority asks you to legalise both documents.

Nova SBE requires an official transcript for the application. It also requires an official bachelor’s graduation certificate for final enrolment. However, its public master’s admissions page does not state that every applicant must apostille both records.

Therefore, ask Nova SBE to confirm:

• Whether the graduation certificate needs an Apostille
• Whether the transcript needs an Apostille
• Whether it requires both documents
• Whether it accepts electronic records
• Whether it wants the originals
• Whether it accepts solicitor-certified copies

Where both documents require legalisation, separate Apostilles usually offer the safer route:

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

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

Can One Apostille Cover the Degree and Transcript?

Sometimes, the UK FCDO can legalise a properly prepared document bundle.

However, Nova SBE must decide whether one Apostille can cover two academic documents.

A combined bundle may cause problems where:

• Nova SBE wants separate electronic files
• The transcript contains several pages
• The graduation certificate and transcript use different verification methods
• Another institution will use only one document
• Nova SBE asks for separate legalisation

Therefore, applicants should obtain written confirmation before combining the documents.

What Is UK Degree Verification?

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

A photocopy or downloaded PDF only shows the contents of a document. It does not independently confirm that the university issued it.

We may verify the degree or transcript through:

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

The verification may confirm:

• The graduate’s full name
• The awarding institution
• The qualification
• The subject
• The classification
• The award date
• Attendance dates
• The academic transcript
• The validity of the electronic document

What Is Enhanced Solicitor Certification?

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

Enhanced solicitor certification goes further.

After completing an official verification check, our solicitor may confirm:

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

This wording creates a stronger link between the university’s official record and the certified document.

However, enhanced certification does not replace Nova SBE’s own requirements. If Nova SBE requests the original graduation certificate, the applicant must still provide it.

How Does the FCDO Apostille Work?

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

The FCDO can legalise qualification certificates and certified copies after a UK public official, such as a solicitor or notary, has certified them.

Applicants should first ask the receiving organisation whether it needs:

• The original document
• A certified copy
• Certification by a solicitor
• Certification by a notary
• A paper Apostille
• An e-Apostille

The FCDO then attaches an Apostille if the document and signature meet its requirements.

The three stages perform different functions:

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

The Apostille does not assess the student’s grades or guarantee admission to Nova SBE.

Paper Apostille or e-Apostille?

The FCDO offers paper and electronic Apostilles.

Paper Apostille

A paper Apostille may provide the safer route where:

• Nova SBE asks for a physical graduation certificate
• The document contains a wet-ink signature
• Another NOVA school needs to inspect the original
• The applicant will also use the document for Portuguese recognition
• The recipient has not approved an e-Apostille

Electronic Apostille

An e-Apostille may suit the case where:

• The UK university issued the document electronically
• The document contains a valid electronic signature
• Our solicitor signs the document electronically
• Nova SBE accepts digital legalisation
• The full PDF can be submitted online

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

Do UK Documents Need Translation?

Usually, no.

Nova SBE accepts its master’s application documents in Portuguese or English. Documents in another language must have a certified translation.

Therefore, a UK degree certificate and transcript issued in English should not normally need translation for Nova SBE’s standard master’s admission process.

However, another NOVA school or a formal Portuguese recognition procedure may apply different rules.

Admission and Portuguese Degree Recognition Are Different

Admission to Nova SBE does not always require formal Portuguese recognition of the UK degree.

Nova SBE can assess the academic records for entry to its programme.

However, the applicant may separately need formal recognition for:

• Employment
• A regulated profession
• Public-sector use
• Further official study
• Conversion of the degree level
• Conversion of the final grade

Portugal’s formal recognition procedure may require foreign academic documents to receive Portuguese consular authentication or a Hague Apostille.

Therefore, a UK degree that does not need an Apostille for Nova SBE admission may still need one for a separate recognition procedure.

Can You Apply Before Receiving Your Final Degree?

Yes.

Nova SBE allows applicants to submit a bachelor’s diploma when it is available. However, enrolment remains subject to the student providing an official graduation certificate within the first month of classes.

A final-year applicant may therefore use:

• An up-to-date official transcript
• A provisional result
• A university completion letter
• A temporary graduation certificate
• A statement showing the expected completion date

However, the applicant must provide the final official evidence within Nova SBE’s deadline.

Can You Complete the Process While Living Overseas?

Yes, in many cases.

A graduate living in Portugal, Hong Kong or another country may complete the verification stage remotely through:

• HEDD
• Parchment
• Digitary CORE
• Gradintelligence
• A secure university portal
• A QR code
• A digital signature
• Direct university confirmation

After checking the recipient’s instructions, we can confirm whether the Apostille stage requires:

• The original degree certificate
• The original transcript
• Certified paper copies
• Certified electronic copies
• A paper Apostille
• An e-Apostille

You should not courier valuable original documents until we confirm that the chosen route requires them.

Two-Working-Day Express FCDO Apostille

Where an Apostille is required, Ginkgo Advisory offers a two-working-day express FCDO option for suitable documents.

The two-working-day period applies to the FCDO stage after we have completed the required preparation.

Before submission, we may need to:

• Review the Nova SBE instructions
• Verify the degree
• Verify the transcript
• Obtain the graduate’s consent
• Check electronic signatures
• Prepare enhanced solicitor certification
• Confirm whether to use the original or a copy
• Choose the paper or electronic route

Therefore, the total processing time depends on the verification method.

Our Nova SBE Document Process

Step 1: Send us the requirements

Please provide:

• Your admission or offer email
• The full programme name
• The Nova SBE document checklist
• Any request for legalisation
• Your final deadline

Step 2: Send copies of the documents

Send clear copies of:

• Your degree certificate
• Your official transcript
• Any diploma supplement
• Any provisional graduation certificate
• Any university completion letter

Step 3: Confirm whether an Apostille is required

We check whether Nova SBE:

• Requires legalisation
• Wants only verification
• Needs the original
• Accepts a certified copy
• Accepts an electronic record
• Requires separate Apostilles

Step 4: Complete verification and certification

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

Step 5: Obtain the FCDO Apostille

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

Step 6: Arrange international 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 Nova SBE’s document instructions
• 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
• Advice on separate and combined Apostilles
• International courier delivery

Most importantly, we first confirm whether Nova SBE actually requires an Apostille.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a UK degree need an Apostille for Nova SBE?

Not automatically. Nova SBE’s public master’s admissions page does not state that every UK degree must carry an Apostille. Follow the instructions in your admission and enrolment documents.

What academic documents does Nova SBE require?

Nova SBE requires an official transcript for the master’s application. It also requires an official bachelor’s graduation certificate within the first month of classes.

Does Nova SBE verify certificates?

Yes. Nova SBE states that it cross-checks certifications with the issuing organisations.

Do I need to apostille both my degree and transcript?

Only if Nova SBE or another receiving authority asks you to legalise both documents.

Can one Apostille cover both documents?

Possibly. However, separate Apostilles usually provide a clearer route.

Can a UK solicitor verify and certify my degree?

Yes. Our solicitor can verify suitable UK academic documents and prepare enhanced certification where the recipient accepts that route.

Does an Apostille verify the qualification?

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

Do English academic documents need translation?

Normally not for Nova SBE. Its master’s admissions process accepts documents in English or Portuguese.

Can I apply before receiving my final degree?

Yes. However, you must provide an official graduation certificate within Nova SBE’s stated enrolment deadline.

Does Nova SBE accept an e-Apostille?

Its general admissions page does not publish a universal rule. Obtain written confirmation before relying only on an e-Apostille.

Could another NOVA school require an Apostille?

Yes. Each NOVA school sets its own requirements, and some programmes expressly require Apostilles or consular authentication.

Do I need formal Portuguese recognition?

Not always for Nova SBE admission. However, a separate recognition or professional process may require legalised documents.

How quickly can the Apostille be completed?

Where required, we offer a two-working-day express FCDO option after verification and document preparation.

Contact Ginkgo Advisory

To request a quotation, please send:

• Your degree certificate
• Your academic transcript
• The full Nova SBE programme name
• Your admission or offer email
• The document checklist
• Any legalisation request
• Your final deadline
• Your return-delivery city and postcode

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