Royal Manchester College of Music Qualification Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Royal Manchester College of Music qualification verification and apostille services for former students who need to use their academic documents overseas.

Our service can include:

• direct RNCM verification;
• historic award and record checks;
• enhanced solicitor certification;
• authenticity confirmation;
• FCDO paper apostille or e-Apostille;
• a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
• embassy legalisation where required.

The Royal Manchester College of Music, often shortened to RMCM, opened in 1893. In 1973, it merged with the Northern School of Music to form the Royal Northern College of Music, known as RNCM. RNCM now handles enquiries relating to its predecessor institution.

Who verifies an RMCM qualification?

Royal Manchester College of Music qualifications cannot be verified through HEDD.

Instead, the former student or an authorised third party must contact the Royal Northern College of Music directly. RNCM may confirm:

• whether the candidate studied at the College;
• the qualification awarded;
• the grade or result, where recorded; and
• attendance dates.

The current verification fee is not published on HEDD.

Contact: info@rncm.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)161 907 5200
Address: Royal Northern College of Music, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD

Candidate consent

A third-party request requires consent from the former student.

The consent should include:

• the student’s full name;
• any former name;
• date of birth;
• qualification title;
• study dates;
• the authorised organisation;
• the information RNCM may release;
• the student’s signature; and
• the date.

RNCM should confirm its current consent format before submission.

Information required

We normally request:

• the front and back of the certificate or diploma;
• any available transcript;
• the former student’s passport;
• the name used during study;
• any later name;
• date of birth;
• student or candidate 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 documents exactly.

Check the qualification type

Not every historic conservatoire award was a university degree.

An RMCM document may be a:

• diploma;
• performance qualification;
• teaching qualification;
• graduate-level award;
• certificate; or
• another professional music award.

Therefore, we check the exact wording and awarding authority shown on the document before describing it as a degree.

This review also determines which document should receive solicitor certification and an apostille.

Transcripts and replacement documents

RNCM’s Academic Administration team handles qualification-verification enquiries. The College’s current contact service also routes enquiries about transcripts, student status and qualification records to the appropriate department.

For a historic RMCM record, availability may depend on:

• the year of study;
• the qualification type;
• the information retained;
• whether an original certificate survives; and
• whether RNCM can produce a replacement or alternative confirmation letter.

Therefore, former students should provide copies of every academic document still available.

Enhanced solicitor certification

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

However, it does not by itself prove that RMCM issued the qualification.

Enhanced solicitor certification can also use independent academic evidence. Depending on the record available, our solicitor may:

1. obtain confirmation from RNCM;
2. review the original certificate or diploma;
3. compare any transcript or official letter;
4. confirm the link between RMCM and RNCM;
5. check the former student’s identity;
6. compare names, dates and award details; and
7. 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:

RNCM verification → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

The Legalisation Office checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its official records. It does not independently verify the academic qualification.

A qualification certificate or certified copy can be legalised after suitable certification by a UK solicitor or notary.

Ginkgo Advisory offers a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible and correctly prepared documents.

However, this period covers the FCDO stage only. It does not include:

• RNCM record searches;
• transcript or replacement-document production;
• solicitor verification enquiries;
• embassy legalisation; or
• delivery.

Paper apostilles and e-Apostilles are available. An e-Apostille requires an eligible PDF electronically signed by a UK solicitor or notary.

Embassy legalisation

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

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

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.

The receiving authority may request:

• the original certificate or diploma;
• a solicitor-certified copy;
• RNCM verification;
• an academic transcript;
• an official confirmation letter;
• a certified translation; or
• specific certification wording.

Therefore, we check the overseas requirements before preparing the documents.

Our process

1. Review the certificate and identify the qualification.
2. Obtain the former student’s signed consent.
3. Request verification from RNCM.
4. Compare the response with the document and identification.
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 Royal Manchester College of Music qualification still valid?

Yes. The 1973 merger does not invalidate a recognised qualification issued by the former College.

What did the Royal Manchester College of Music become?

It merged with the Northern School of Music in 1973 to form the Royal Northern College of Music.

Can I verify an RMCM qualification through HEDD?

No. HEDD directs applicants to contact the Royal Northern College of Music directly.

Do I need candidate consent?

Yes. A third-party verification request requires the former student’s consent.

Can RNCM provide a transcript or replacement document?

Possibly. Availability depends on the qualification and historic records held by RNCM. Former students should contact the College with copies of their existing documents.

Does an apostille verify the qualification?

No. It authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. Academic verification remains a separate stage.

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.

Contact Ginkgo Advisory

To request a quote, please send:

• the front and back of the certificate or diploma;
• any available transcript;
• the award year;
• the intended country of use; and
• the receiving authority’s instructions.