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
West Sussex Institute of Higher Education was a UK government-recognised body that gave awards between 1977 and 1995. The University of Chichester now verifies its historic qualifications.
Ginkgo Advisory can assist with degree 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
West Sussex Institute of Higher Education qualifications can be verified through HEDD.
The usual route is:
HEDD verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → embassy legalisation where required
The current HEDD degree enquiry fee is £31. The service verifies graduates only and does not cover current students.
HEDD verification requirements
HEDD can confirm whether the information submitted matches the University of Chichester’s records.
The request must include the correct:
- qualification type;
- full course name;
- classification or grade; and
- year of award.
The University only confirms the information entered by the enquirer. It will not provide missing or additional academic details.
The candidate must provide a signed consent form as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF. The consent form must name Qualification Check.
Attendance dates are unavailable
The University of Chichester does not supply attendance dates through this verification service.
Although HEDD’s general enquiry categories mention attendance dates, the institution-specific restriction applies to West Sussex Institute of Higher Education requests.
Where an overseas authority requires study dates, a transcript or separate university document may be needed.
Transcripts and academic records
Former students can request a basic academic transcript from the University of Chichester.
A basic transcript may include:
- modules or subjects studied;
- marks or grades;
- credit values; and
- qualification information.
The University currently provides basic transcripts without charge. A full academic transcript with the relevant programme handbook costs £20.
However, West Sussex Institute records are more than ten years old. The University warns that it may not hold all requested information beyond its normal archive period. Former students should contact Transcripts@chi.ac.uk before placing an order.
Replacement certificates
The University of Chichester’s standard duplicate-certificate service is available for certificates issued from 1993 onwards. The current fee is £30.
For an award issued before 1993, the graduate should contact:
The correct route may also depend on the awarding body printed on the certificate. Historic documents may name:
- West Sussex Institute of Higher Education;
- CNAA;
- the University of Southampton;
- BTEC or Edexcel; or
- another validating institution.
We review the original document before advising which institution should provide the replacement or confirmation.
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 available evidence, such as:
- a HEDD or Qualification Check result;
- an official academic transcript;
- a duplicate certificate;
- a university confirmation;
- CNAA records; or
- another awarding-body verification.
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 academic qualification.
The recommended order is:
academic verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille
Our 2 working day express FCDO apostille option covers the apostille stage only. It excludes university verification, archive searches, transcript production, replacement certificates, 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 a transcript, university confirmation letter, certified translation or identity document.
What to send us
Please provide:
- a clear scan of the certificate;
- any available transcript;
- the candidate’s name during study;
- exact course and qualification;
- classification;
- year of award;
- student number, if known;
- destination country; and
- receiving authority’s requirements.
We will identify the correct verification, certification and legalisation route.
Frequently asked questions
Who verifies West Sussex Institute qualifications?
The University of Chichester verifies the historic qualifications through HEDD and Qualification Check.
How much does HEDD verification cost?
The current degree enquiry fee is £31.
Must the consent form name Qualification Check?
Yes. Qualification Check must be named on the candidate’s consent form.
Can current students be verified?
No. This verification route covers graduates only.
Will the University provide attendance dates?
No. The University does not supply attendance dates through this service.
Can former students obtain a transcript?
Possibly. Historic records are subject to availability, so the graduate should contact the transcript team before ordering.
Does an apostille verify the qualification?
No. The University or 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
Contact Us
Address
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