West Surrey College of Art and Design Degree Verification and Apostille

West Surrey College of Art and Design was a recognised UK institution that gave awards between 1969 and 1995. The University for the Creative Arts now verifies its qualifications.

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

Quick answer

West Surrey College of Art and Design qualifications can be verified through HEDD.

The usual process is:

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

HEDD can check:

• current or former student status;
• the qualification awarded;
• the grade or classification; and
• attendance dates.

The current degree enquiry fee is £14.

HEDD consent requirements

The candidate must use a HEDD consent form that:

• names the University for the Creative Arts;
• carries a handwritten ink signature;
• is dated within the previous three months; and
• is uploaded as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF.

Electronic and typed signatures should not be used for this verification route.

The enquiry should include the candidate’s name during study, course, qualification, attendance dates, award year, classification and student number where available.

Replacement certificates and official letters

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

Current charges include:

• replacement certificate: £40;
• certified certificate copy: £5 PDF or £10 hard copy; and
• letter confirming study dates and award: £5 PDF or £10 hard copy.

A replacement certificate is available only where the original has been irretrievably lost or destroyed. The graduate must complete a signed declaration.

Are transcripts available?

UCA states that replacement transcripts are not available for West Surrey College of Art and Design courses.

Where no transcript can be produced, UCA provides a letter confirming that the transcript is unavailable. A separate letter can confirm the course, study dates and award.

This limitation should be explained to the receiving authority before legalisation begins.

Check the awarding body

Some historic documents may show:

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

BTEC replacement documents normally come from Pearson. Access diplomas may require the relevant validating agency.

The wording on the original certificate determines the correct verification and replacement-document route.

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 certificate against reliable evidence, such as:

• a HEDD verification result;
• a UCA replacement certificate;
• a certified university copy;
• a study-and-award confirmation letter; or
• another awarding-body record.

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

FCDO apostille

After academic 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 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 document production, 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 route is:

solicitor certification → FCDO legalisation → embassy legalisation

The overseas authority may also request a university confirmation letter, certified translation or supporting identity document.

What to send us

Please provide:

• a clear certificate scan;
• any university letter or academic record;
• 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 whether the correct route involves HEDD, UCA, Pearson, CNAA or another awarding body.

Frequently asked questions

Who verifies West Surrey College of Art and Design qualifications?

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

Is a handwritten consent form required?

Yes. The HEDD form must name UCA, carry an ink signature and be dated within the previous three months.

Can former students obtain a replacement certificate?

Yes, for eligible awards. UCA currently charges £40.

Can former students obtain a transcript?

No replacement transcript is available for West Surrey College of Art and Design study. UCA can instead provide a letter confirming that a transcript is 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 qualification verification

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

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