Our solicitor can verify, certify, apostille & legalise
All UK recognised degree-awarding universities or colleges
471
recognised UK
institutions
About the Author
KH is a practising solicitor based in London, admitted in England & Wales and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. He is registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. KH has worked as legal counsel and in-house solicitor across leading firms and corporations. He personally oversees every case at Ginkgo Advisory, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and end-to-end quality control.
KH Lam, LLB, LLM
Legal Consultant of Ginkgo Advisory
The University of Central Lancashire, widely known as UCLan, gave awards under that name between 1992 and 2025. It became the University of Lancashire in 2025, which now verifies qualifications issued under the former name.
Ginkgo Advisory can arrange HEDD verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille and embassy legalisation. A 2 working day express FCDO apostille option is available after verification and solicitor certification are complete.
Quick answer
University of Central Lancashire qualifications can be verified through HEDD.
The usual process is:
HEDD verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → embassy legalisation where required
The University is an exclusive HEDD partner. Standard third-party degree checks must therefore be submitted through HEDD. The current degree enquiry fee is £14.
HEDD degree verification
HEDD can check:
- current or former student status;
- the qualification awarded;
- the grade or classification; and
- attendance dates.
The candidate must provide a signed consent form as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF.
The request should include accurate details such as:
- the candidate’s name during study;
- course and qualification;
- attendance dates;
- award year;
- classification; and
- student number, where available.
The service is intended for third-party enquirers. A graduate seeking self-verification should contact HEDD about the appropriate route.
UCLan and the University of Lancashire
The University of Central Lancashire formally became the University of Lancashire in 2025. Historic qualifications issued under the UCLan name remain part of the University’s academic records.
Certificates may therefore display:
- University of Central Lancashire;
- UCLan;
- University of Lancashire;
- Lancashire Polytechnic; or
- another earlier or partner institution.
The exact institution and awarding body printed on the certificate should be used when requesting verification.
Transcripts and official letters
Former students can order transcripts and Statements of Achievement or Attendance through the University’s online store.
A transcript can record:
- modules undertaken;
- credit values;
- grades;
- overall result; and
- qualification details.
Transcript availability depends on the academic records retained from the period of study. The current transcript fee is £20.
A Statement of Achievement or Attendance can confirm the course, attendance dates and result where applicable. The current fee is £30.
Replacement certificates
The University can issue replacement certificates for awards made from July 1992 onwards.
University of Central Lancashire awards fall within this period. The current standard replacement-certificate fee is £50. Certificates are produced on official watermarked stationery using the graduate’s name as recorded at the time of the award.
Applicants should check the original certificate where a qualification involved:
- Lancashire Polytechnic;
- another validating university;
- BTEC or Edexcel;
- a professional body; or
- an overseas partner institution.
A different organisation may need to issue the replacement where it was the legal awarding body.
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 academic document against reliable evidence, such as:
- a HEDD verification;
- an official transcript;
- a Statement of Achievement;
- a replacement certificate; or
- another secure university record.
Where the evidence supports it, our solicitor can provide certification with authenticity confirmation.
This creates a stronger evidence chain than a basic certified true copy.
FCDO apostille
After academic verification and solicitor certification, the document can proceed to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Legalisation confirms that the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal is genuine. It does not independently verify the underlying academic qualification.
The recommended process 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;
- university record searches;
- transcript production;
- replacement certificates;
- 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 common route is:
solicitor certification → FCDO legalisation → embassy legalisation
Further approval by the destination’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs may also be required.
The receiving authority may additionally request an official transcript, university letter, certified translation or identity document.
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 and classification;
- student number, if known;
- destination country; and
- receiving authority’s requirements.
We will identify the correct verification, certification and legalisation route.
Frequently asked questions
Is UCLan now called the University of Lancashire?
Yes. The University of Central Lancashire became the University of Lancashire in 2025.
Who verifies University of Central Lancashire qualifications?
The University of Lancashire verifies former UCLan qualifications through HEDD.
How much does HEDD verification cost?
The current degree enquiry fee is £14.
Can former students obtain a transcript?
Yes, where sufficient records remain. The current transcript fee is £20.
Can the University issue a replacement certificate?
Yes. Replacement certificates are available for awards made since July 1992. The current standard fee is £50.
Does an apostille verify the degree?
No. HEDD or the University 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 HEDD verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille, embassy legalisation and return delivery.
Start your UCLan qualification verification
Send a clear scan and the receiving authority’s requirements to:
Email: info@ginkgoadvisory.com
WhatsApp: +44 7388 833283
Contact Us
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