York St John College Degree Verification and Apostille

York St John College was a UK government-recognised body that gave awards between 2001 and 2004. York St John University now verifies its academic records through HEDD.

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 certification are complete.

Quick answer

York St John College qualifications can be verified through HEDD.

The usual process is:

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

York St John University is an exclusive HEDD partner. HEDD can check current or former student status, the award, grade and attendance dates. The current degree enquiry fee is £14.

HEDD degree verification

The candidate must provide a signed consent form as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF.

The request should include:

• the candidate’s name during study;
• any previous name;
• course and qualification;
• attendance dates;
• award year;
• classification; and
• student number, where available.

This service is intended for third-party enquirers, including employers, professional bodies, screening agencies and legal representatives.

Check the awarding body

York St John did not obtain its own taught degree-awarding powers until 2005. Before then, its degree programmes were commonly awarded through the University of Leeds.

A York St John College certificate from 2001 to 2004 may therefore name:

• York St John College as the teaching institution;
• the University of Leeds as the awarding university;
• another validating university; or
• a professional awarding body.

York St John University may verify the student record through HEDD. However, the awarding university shown on the certificate may need to issue the replacement certificate.

Transcripts and official documents

Former students whose awards predate July 2023 cannot access their final transcript through the current Gradintelligence system. York St John can instead provide a digital or printed transcript on request. The University advises allowing up to ten working days.

A transcript may show:

• modules studied;
• credit values;
• grades;
• final results; and
• qualification details.

York St John also offers certified copies, digital letters, programme specifications and module descriptors through its document service.

Replacement certificates

York St John currently charges £30 for an eligible replacement certificate where the original has been lost, stolen or damaged. This service applies only where York St John University issued the award.

Where the certificate shows the University of Leeds, the replacement request should be made to Leeds. York St John also directs University of York award holders to that university.

We review the original certificate before selecting the correct 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 confirm that the qualification appears in official academic records.

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

• a HEDD verification;
• an official transcript;
• a university letter;
• a replacement certificate;
• University of Leeds confirmation; 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 underlying 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 HEDD processing, 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 an official transcript, award letter, certified translation or 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
• receiving authority’s requirements.

We will identify whether the correct route involves HEDD, York St John University, the University of Leeds or another awarding body.

Frequently asked questions

Who verifies York St John College qualifications?

York St John University verifies the academic records through HEDD.

How much does HEDD verification cost?

The current degree enquiry fee is £14.

Was York St John the awarding university?

Often not during 2001 to 2004. York St John did not obtain taught degree-awarding powers until 2005, and many earlier degrees were University of Leeds awards.

Can former students obtain a transcript?

Yes. Digital or printed transcripts can be ordered for awards that predate the current Gradintelligence service.

Who issues a replacement certificate?

The awarding institution shown on the original certificate normally issues the replacement. York St John replaces its own awards, while University of Leeds awards follow the Leeds route.

Does an apostille verify the qualification?

No. HEDD or the awarding university verifies the academic record. The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

Start your York St John College verification

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

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