Welsh College of Music & Drama Verification and Apostille

The Welsh College of Music & Drama gave awards under that name between 1970 and 2002. The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama now maintains and verifies its academic records.

Ginkgo Advisory can arrange direct qualification 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

Welsh College of Music & Drama qualifications cannot be verified through HEDD.

Verification must be requested directly from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The current Registry contact is:

Email: registry@rwcmd.ac.uk
Telephone: 029 2039 1335

Registry handles enquiries concerning student records, certification and transcripts.

The usual process is:

direct academic verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → embassy legalisation where required

The HEDD listing states that verification is free, although any charge for additional transcripts or replacement documents should be confirmed directly with Registry.

Direct qualification verification

A formal verification request should normally be submitted on the requesting organisation’s headed paper.

The candidate’s signed consent should accompany the request. It should authorise the College to release academic information to the named third party.

The request should include:

• the candidate’s name during study;
• any previous name;
• date of birth;
• course and qualification;
• attendance dates;
• award year;
• grade or classification;
• student number, if known; and
• a clear copy of the certificate.

The College may then confirm former student status, the award, classification and attendance dates where records remain available.

Check the awarding body

The institution where the candidate studied may not be the body that formally awarded the degree.

Some Welsh College of Music & Drama programmes were University of Glamorgan awards. The University of Glamorgan later became part of the University of South Wales. Official University of Glamorgan regulations also covered courses delivered at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

A historic document may therefore name:

• Welsh College of Music & Drama;
• Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama;
• University of Glamorgan;
• University of South Wales;
• another validating university; or
• a professional awarding body.

The precise wording on the certificate determines who should verify the award and issue any replacement document.

Transcripts and replacement documents

Former students should contact Royal Welsh College Registry regarding:

• academic transcripts;
• replacement certificates;
• certified certificate copies;
• confirmation-of-award letters; and
• confirmation of attendance.

Registry is the current official contact for certification and transcript enquiries.

Where the qualification was awarded by the University of Glamorgan, the University of South Wales may hold relevant award records. Its past-student service provides confirmation-of-award letters stating the course, study dates, award and award date.

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 qualification appears in official academic records.

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

• direct Royal Welsh College verification;
• an official transcript;
• a confirmation-of-award letter;
• a replacement certificate;
• University of South Wales confirmation; or
• another awarding-body record.

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 UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

An apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not independently verify the underlying music, drama or 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:

• College or university verification;
• archived-record searches;
• transcript production;
• replacement certificates;
• courier delivery; and
• embassy legalisation.

Embassy legalisation

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

A typical process is:

solicitor certification → FCDO legalisation → embassy legalisation

The receiving authority may also request an official transcript, award letter, certified translation or supporting identity document.

What to send us

Please provide:

• a clear certificate scan;
• 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
• the receiving authority’s requirements.

We will identify whether verification should come from the Royal Welsh College, the University of South Wales or another awarding body.

Frequently asked questions

Can HEDD verify a Welsh College of Music & Drama qualification?

No. HEDD directs enquirers to contact the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama directly.

Is candidate consent required?

Yes. A third-party request should include signed candidate consent.

Who handles student-record enquiries?

The Royal Welsh College Registry handles student records, certification and transcript enquiries.

Who awarded the degree?

Some qualifications were awarded by the University of Glamorgan. The exact awarding body should be confirmed from the certificate and academic record.

Does an apostille verify the qualification?

No. The College or awarding 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 direct verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille, embassy legalisation and return delivery.

Start your qualification verification

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

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