Institute of Contemporary Music Performance Degree Verification and Apostille

The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, commonly known as ICMP, is a recognised UK higher education provider with taught degree-awarding powers.

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

Quick answer

ICMP qualifications can be verified online 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 degree verification

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

The verification request should include accurate information, such as:

• the candidate’s name during study;
• any previous name;
• programme title;
• qualification;
• attendance dates;
• award year;
• classification or result; and
• student number, if known.

The submitted details should match the certificate and ICMP’s academic records.

Certificates, transcripts and award letters

ICMP’s Academic Registry provides certificates, transcripts, certified copies and award verification letters.

An award verification letter can confirm:

• the qualification achieved;
• the classification;
• programme start and end dates; and
• the award date.

Records for awards confirmed before 2015 may take longer because ICMP may need to search its paper archives. Direct award verification letters are not available for current students.

The Registry can also issue replacement certificates and transcripts. Current replacement charges are £55 plus VAT for UK delivery or collection and £70 plus VAT for international delivery.

Direct third-party verification

A third party can request verification directly from ICMP’s Registry.

The candidate must complete the Registry’s GDPR authorisation form and email it personally to ICMP, copying the third party into the message. ICMP will not accept the authorisation form when it is sent only by the third party.

The Registry currently advises allowing up to 10 working days for processing.

Depending on the overseas authority’s requirements, we may use:

• HEDD verification;
• a direct ICMP award verification letter;
• an official transcript;
• a certified certificate copy; or
• a replacement certificate.

Check the awarding body

ICMP now confers its own taught academic awards. Its regulations provide for certificates and transcripts to be issued under ICMP’s degree-awarding powers.

Some older qualifications may show another validating university. We therefore check the institution and awarding body printed on the certificate before starting verification or legalisation.

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 ICMP awarded the qualification.

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

• a HEDD verification result;
• an ICMP award verification letter;
• an official transcript;
• a certified copy issued by ICMP;
• a replacement certificate; or
• confirmation from an earlier validating university.

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 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

An apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not independently verify the academic qualification.

The recommended route 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;
• Registry verification;
• archived-record searches;
• replacement-document production;
• courier delivery; and
• embassy legalisation.

ICMP does not provide apostilles itself, but its Registry can provide documents and certified copies for an external apostille process.

Embassy legalisation

Documents intended for a country 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 verification letter, certified translation or supporting identity document.

What to send us

Please provide:

• a clear scan of the certificate;
• the transcript, if available;
• the candidate’s name during study;
• programme and qualification;
• attendance dates;
• award year;
• classification;
• student number, if known;
• destination country; and
• receiving authority’s instructions.

We will identify whether HEDD, direct ICMP verification or an earlier awarding-body route is most suitable.

Frequently asked questions

Can HEDD verify an ICMP qualification?

Yes. HEDD can check current or former student status, the award, grade and attendance dates.

How much does HEDD verification cost?

The current degree enquiry fee is £14.

Can ICMP provide an award verification letter?

Yes. The letter can confirm the qualification, classification, programme dates and award date. Direct award verification letters are not issued for current students.

Can former students obtain replacement documents?

Yes. ICMP offers replacement certificates, replacement transcripts and certified copies.

Does an apostille verify the qualification?

No. HEDD or ICMP 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 ICMP qualification verification

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

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