Surrey Institute of Art and Design Degree Verification and Apostille

Surrey Institute of Art and Design was a UK government-recognised institution that gave awards between 1995 and 2005. The University for the Creative Arts now verifies its qualifications.

Ginkgo Advisory can assist with HEDD verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille and embassy legalisation. A 2 working day express FCDO apostille option is available after verification and certification are complete.

Quick answer

Surrey Institute of Art and Design qualifications can be verified online through HEDD.

The usual route is:

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

HEDD can check:

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

The current HEDD degree enquiry fee is £14.

HEDD consent requirements

The candidate must use the HEDD consent form and name the University for the Creative Arts as the institution.

UCA will only accept a consent form that:

• carries the student’s handwritten ink signature;
• is dated within the previous three months; and
• is uploaded as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF.

Typed signatures and purely electronic signatures should not be used for this verification route.

The enquiry should include the candidate’s:

• name during study;
• date of birth;
• course and qualification;
• attendance dates;
• award year; and
• student number, where available.

Certificates, transcripts and official letters

UCA can issue replacement certificates for eligible Surrey Institute of Art and Design awards.

Its current document charges include:

• replacement certificate: £40;
• certified copy: £5 for a PDF or £10 for a hard copy;
• confirmation of study and award letter: £5 for a PDF or £10 for a hard copy; and
• replacement transcript: £20, plus £5 for each additional copy in the same request.

Replacement certificates are only available where the original has been irretrievably lost or destroyed. A signed declaration is required.

Transcript availability

UCA may provide transcripts for Surrey Institute of Art and Design students who studied after 1999.

A transcript normally shows:

• units or modules studied;
• marks or grades;
• credit values;
• final classification;
• completion year; and
• institution attended.

Transcripts usually take up to ten working days to prepare. UCA sends them by post and does not provide digital transcripts.

Where a transcript is unavailable, UCA can issue a letter confirming that no transcript can be produced. A confirmation letter showing the course, study dates and award may also be suitable.

Check the awarding body

The institution where the candidate studied may not always be the legal awarding body.

Some documents may name:

• Surrey Institute of Art and Design;
• another validating university;
• BTEC or Edexcel;
• Pearson; or
• an Access to Higher Education awarding body.

BTEC qualifications normally require replacement documents from Pearson. Access to Higher Education awards may follow the relevant Access validating agency’s route.

We review the wording on the certificate before beginning verification or certification.

Solicitor verification and certification

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

It does not independently prove that the candidate obtained the qualification.

Our enhanced service reviews the document against reliable evidence, such as:

• a HEDD verification result;
• an official UCA transcript;
• a replacement certificate;
• a confirmation of study letter; or
• confirmation from the awarding body.

Where the evidence supports it, our 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 recipient should confirm whether it requires an original, a solicitor-certified copy, a paper apostille or an e-Apostille.

The recommended route is:

academic verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

Our 2 working day express FCDO apostille option covers the apostille stage only. It excludes HEDD processing, UCA document production, 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

Further approval from the destination’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs may also be required.

What to send us

Please provide:

• a clear scan of the certificate;
• the transcript, if available;
• the candidate’s name during study;
• course and qualification;
• attendance dates;
• award year;
• student number, if known;
• destination country; and
• receiving authority’s requirements.

We will identify whether the document should follow HEDD, UCA, Pearson or another awarding-body route.

Frequently asked questions

Who verifies Surrey Institute of Art and Design qualifications?

The University for the Creative Arts verifies the qualifications through HEDD.

Is a handwritten consent form required?

Yes. The consent form must carry the candidate’s handwritten ink signature and be dated within the previous three months.

Can former students obtain a replacement certificate?

Yes, for eligible Surrey Institute of Art and Design awards. UCA currently charges £40 for a replacement certificate.

Can former students obtain a transcript?

Transcripts may be available for Surrey Institute of Art and Design students who studied after 1999. Earlier transcripts are generally unavailable.

Does an apostille verify the qualification?

No. HEDD or the relevant awarding body 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 Surrey Institute verification

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

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

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