St Benet’s Hall Oxford Degree Verification and Apostille

St Benet’s Hall was a Permanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford. It closed on 30 September 2022, but the University of Oxford continues to verify qualifications obtained by its former students.

Ginkgo Advisory can arrange Oxford degree verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille and embassy legalisation. A 2 working day express FCDO apostille option is available for suitable documents once verification and certification are complete.

Quick answer

St Benet’s Hall qualifications are verified by the University of Oxford.

The usual route is:

Oxford or HEDD verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → embassy legalisation where required

Although St Benet’s Hall no longer operates, its closure does not invalidate University of Oxford qualifications previously obtained through the Hall.

HEDD degree verification

HEDD can verify:

• current or former student status;
• the award obtained;
• the grade or classification; and
• attendance dates.

The current degree enquiry fee is £47.

For current students, the request should include the course start year and expected completion year.

Oxford consent-form requirements

Applicants must use the University of Oxford Consent to Disclosure form.

The form should identify both:

• HEDD; and
• the organisation submitting the request, such as Ginkgo Advisory.

Oxford requires a genuine handwritten signature. Scanned or photographed hand-signed forms are accepted, but typed signatures are not. Consent must also be dated within the previous 12 months.

The signed form can be uploaded to HEDD as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF.

Direct verification by the University of Oxford

Solicitors and notaries can submit verification requests directly to Oxford’s Degree Conferrals Team.

Oxford currently waives the direct verification fee for solicitors, notaries, government bodies and higher education institutions. Commercial verification requests normally cost £30 and may take up to 21 working days.

Depending on the circumstances, Ginkgo Advisory may use HEDD or the direct solicitor verification route.

Oxford eDocuments

Former St Benet’s Hall students may also be able to obtain secure Oxford eDocuments.

Available records may include:

• degree certificates;
• degree confirmation letters;
• final academic transcripts;
• on-course transcripts; and
• diploma supplements.

Each eDocument contains security features and a QR code for independent authenticity checks. Transcript availability depends on the course and date of study.

Short and external courses

HEDD cannot verify many short, executive or external Oxford programmes.

Alternative verification may need to come from:

• Saïd Business School;
• Oxford Lifelong Learning;
• the Department for Continuing Education;
• the individual programme provider; or
• another awarding body shown on the document.

The exact certificate wording should be reviewed before a verification request is submitted.

Solicitor verification and certification

A basic certified true copy confirms that the copy matches the document presented to the solicitor.

It does not independently prove that Oxford awarded the qualification.

Our enhanced solicitor certification service reviews the document against official evidence, which may include:

• a HEDD result;
• direct Oxford confirmation;
• an Oxford eDocument;
• a degree confirmation letter; or
• an official transcript.

Where the evidence supports it, the solicitor can provide certification with authenticity confirmation.

FCDO apostille

After verification and solicitor certification, the document can proceed to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

An apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not independently verify the academic qualification.

The recommended sequence is:

academic verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

Our 2 working day express FCDO apostille option begins once verification and certification are ready. It excludes Oxford processing, HEDD checks, courier delivery and embassy legalisation.

Embassy legalisation

Documents intended for a destination outside the Hague apostille system may require further embassy or consular legalisation.

A typical route is:

solicitor certification → FCDO legalisation → embassy legalisation

The receiving authority may also request an official transcript, Oxford confirmation letter, certified translation or identity documents.

What to send us

Please provide:

• a clear scan of the academic document;
• the candidate’s name during study;
• the St Benet’s Hall affiliation;
• the course and qualification;
• attendance dates;
• graduation year;
• student number, if known;
• the destination country; and
• the receiving authority’s requirements.

We will identify whether HEDD, direct Oxford verification or Oxford eDocuments provide the best route.

Frequently asked questions

Is St Benet’s Hall still operating?

No. St Benet’s Hall closed on 30 September 2022. The University of Oxford still verifies qualifications obtained by its former students.

Is a wet-signed consent form required?

Yes. The safest option is a genuine pen signature on Oxford’s Consent to Disclosure form. Typed signatures are not accepted.

Must the form mention Ginkgo Advisory?

Yes. It should identify HEDD and the organisation requesting the verification.

Can HEDD verify an Oxford short course?

Not usually. Short, external and executive courses may require confirmation from the relevant Oxford department or programme provider.

Does an apostille verify the degree?

No. Oxford or HEDD verifies the academic record. The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

Can Ginkgo Advisory manage the complete process?

Yes. We can coordinate verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille, embassy legalisation and return delivery.

Start your St Benet’s Hall verification

Send a clear scan and the receiving authority’s requirements to:

Email: info@ginkgoadvisory.com
WhatsApp: +44 7388 833283