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
Ginkgo Advisory provides New University of Ulster degree verification and apostille services for graduates who need to use their academic documents overseas.
Our solicitor-led service can include:
- HEDD degree verification;
- direct Ulster University verification;
- solicitor verification;
- enhanced solicitor certification;
- authenticity confirmation;
- certified true copies;
- FCDO apostille;
- a 2-working-day express apostille option;
- embassy or consular legalisation; and
- international return delivery.
The New University of Ulster awarded recognised UK qualifications between 1968 and 1984.
In 1984, it merged with Ulster Polytechnic to form the University of Ulster. Ulster University now verifies former New University of Ulster awards.
Quick answers
Who verifies a New University of Ulster degree?
Ulster University verifies qualifications awarded by the former New University of Ulster.
Third-party enquirers can use HEDD. Alternatively, they may contact Ulster University directly because the University does not have an exclusive HEDD verification agreement.
Can HEDD verify a current student?
No.
The legacy New University of Ulster record only covers graduates. Therefore, HEDD cannot use this entry to verify a current Ulster University student.
Can a New University of Ulster certificate receive an apostille?
Yes.
In most cases, our solicitor can certify a suitable copy before submitting it for an FCDO apostille.
Can a solicitor confirm the degree’s authenticity?
Yes, provided that reliable evidence supports the conclusion.
For example, our solicitor may rely on:
- a HEDD result;
- direct confirmation from Ulster University;
- an official transcript;
- a letter confirming the award;
- a replacement certificate; or
- another official academic record.
How quickly can Ginkgo Advisory obtain the apostille?
We offer a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible documents.
However, the express period starts after we complete the required verification and solicitor certification.
Do I also need embassy legalisation?
You may need embassy or consular legalisation if the destination does not accept an apostille as the final step.
Therefore, we check the receiving authority’s requirements before preparing the document.
About the New University of Ulster
The New University of Ulster was a recognised UK degree-awarding institution.
It awarded qualifications from 1968 until 1984.
The institution had its main campus at Coleraine. In 1984, it merged with Ulster Polytechnic to form the University of Ulster.
Today, Ulster University manages the legacy academic records.
Therefore, an older certificate may show New University of Ulster, while a current verification result or replacement document refers to Ulster University.
This difference is normal.
Nevertheless, an overseas employer or regulator may not understand the institutional history. A HEDD result or official Ulster letter can connect the historic certificate with the current University.
Degree verification through HEDD
HEDD stands for Higher Education Degree Datacheck.
It allows an authorised third party to check a graduate’s information against the university record.
For a New University of Ulster graduate, HEDD can check:
- whether the person was a student;
- the qualification awarded;
- the grade or classification; and
- the dates of attendance.
Therefore, HEDD does more than inspect a scan of the certificate.
Instead, it checks the information against the academic record held by Ulster University.
HEDD is not the only verification route
Ulster University does not have an exclusive HEDD contract for this legacy record.
As a result, third-party enquirers have two possible routes:
- submit an online HEDD enquiry; or
- contact Ulster University directly.
HEDD currently lists the following contact for New University of Ulster verification:
Email: ExamsJn@ulster.ac.uk
However, Ulster’s current alumni pages also direct graduates to its online services for:
- replacement certificates;
- transcripts; and
- letters confirming awards.
Therefore, the most suitable route depends on what the receiving authority needs.
Who can submit a HEDD enquiry?
HEDD serves third-party enquirers.
These may include:
- employers;
- recruitment companies;
- background-screening agencies;
- solicitors;
- professional regulators;
- universities;
- government authorities; and
- document legalisation providers.
The graduate must provide signed consent before HEDD releases academic information.
Ginkgo Advisory can arrange the enquiry as part of the wider certification and legalisation service.
Candidate consent
HEDD requires a consent form signed by the graduate.
The enquirer must upload it as a:
- PDF;
- JPG;
- PNG; or
- TIF file.
The consent should clearly authorise the release or confirmation of academic information.
It should also identify:
- the graduate;
- the authorised third party;
- the former institution;
- the purpose of the enquiry;
- the graduate’s signature; and
- the date.
Before submission, we check the form and the academic details.
This review helps reduce avoidable delays.
Information required for verification
A New University of Ulster verification request normally requires:
- the graduate’s full name;
- any former name used while studying;
- date of birth;
- course title;
- qualification;
- year of graduation;
- grade or classification;
- attendance dates;
- student number, if known;
- a clear scan of the certificate;
- a transcript, if available; and
- signed candidate consent.
Small differences may prevent a quick match.
For example, problems may arise because of:
- a missing middle name;
- a later change of surname;
- an incorrect graduation year;
- a shortened course title;
- incomplete attendance dates; or
- confusion between the New University of Ulster and Ulster University.
Therefore, we use the wording shown on the certificate and transcript wherever possible.
Verification is available for graduates only
The New University of Ulster stopped awarding qualifications in 1984.
Consequently, the legacy HEDD entry verifies former students and graduates only.
It cannot verify a current Ulster University student through this historic institution record.
A current student should instead use the University’s current student-record or attendance-letter process.
Ulster’s student guidance allows enrolled students to obtain confirmation of attendance through the student portal.
Official transcripts and confirmation letters
Ulster University allows graduates to request:
- a replacement transcript; or
- a letter confirming the award.
The current service is available to graduates who have already received their original award documents.
Ulster states that applicants should allow about three weeks for processing. A letter of confirmation can be sent as a PDF by email.
A transcript or confirmation letter may support:
- enhanced solicitor certification;
- overseas employment;
- further study;
- professional registration;
- immigration applications; or
- credential evaluation.
Replacement award certificates
Ulster University also provides a replacement-certificate route.
Its published information specifically confirms that replacement certificates may be available for awards of the former New University of Ulster.
A replacement may help where the original has been:
- lost;
- stolen;
- destroyed; or
- seriously damaged.
However, the University may refuse to issue a replacement if the original still exists in reasonable condition.
Therefore, applicants should not order a replacement merely to obtain a spare original.
Check the exact awarding body
The New University of Ulster may not have issued every qualification studied at its campuses.
An older certificate may instead name:
- the New University of Ulster;
- CNAA;
- BTEC or the Edexcel Foundation;
- a professional body;
- another university; or
- more than one institution.
Therefore, the place of study and awarding body may differ.
This distinction controls:
- who verifies the award;
- who issues a replacement certificate;
- who holds the academic record; and
- which document the solicitor should certify.
Ulster’s replacement-document guidance distinguishes between former New University of Ulster awards, BTEC awards and CNAA awards. For example, a CNAA qualification may require a Certificate of Verification rather than a replacement Ulster certificate.
Degree verification and solicitor certification
They perform different roles.
Degree verification
HEDD or Ulster University checks the academic record.
Solicitor verification
Our solicitor reviews the certificate, verification evidence and the graduate’s identification.
Solicitor certification
The solicitor places a formal certification statement on the document or copy.
FCDO apostille
The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.
Therefore, one stage does not replace the others.
Enhanced solicitor certification
A basic certified true copy confirms that the copy matches the document shown to the solicitor.
However, it does not automatically confirm that the former University issued the original certificate.
For stronger evidence, Ginkgo Advisory can provide enhanced solicitor certification.
The process may include:
- HEDD or direct Ulster verification;
- review of the original certificate;
- review of a transcript or confirmation letter;
- comparison of the academic details;
- identity and name checks;
- authenticity confirmation; and
- solicitor certification.
Therefore, the certification can connect the historic document with a current official record.
However, our solicitor will only confirm authenticity when reliable evidence supports that conclusion.
FCDO apostille
A New University of Ulster degree certificate can usually receive an FCDO apostille after correct preparation.
Depending on the case, the apostille route may use:
- a solicitor-certified degree certificate;
- a certified transcript;
- a letter confirming the award;
- a replacement certificate; or
- another eligible academic document.
The receiving authority may require a particular format.
Therefore, we check whether it needs:
- the original certificate;
- a certified copy;
- university verification;
- a transcript;
- an official letter; or
- a combination of documents.
What does the apostille confirm?
An apostille does not verify the graduate’s academic record.
Instead, it authenticates the relevant UK public signature, seal or stamp.
For a solicitor-certified copy, the FCDO normally authenticates the solicitor’s signature.
As a result, a strong process may follow this order:
degree verification → authenticity review → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille
Each stage provides a different type of assurance.
Two-working-day express apostille
Ginkgo Advisory offers a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible documents.
However, the express period only covers the FCDO stage.
It begins after:
- degree verification is complete;
- the correct document is available;
- our solicitor approves the evidence;
- the certification is ready; and
- the document meets the FCDO requirements.
Therefore, the two-working-day period does not include:
- HEDD processing;
- direct Ulster verification;
- transcript production;
- confirmation-letter production;
- replacement-certificate processing;
- embassy legalisation; or
- international delivery.
Embassy legalisation
Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the UK authentication stage.
A typical route may involve:
- degree verification;
- solicitor certification;
- FCDO apostille or authentication;
- embassy legalisation; and
- further local processing after arrival.
However, each embassy sets its own rules.
For example, it may ask for:
- the original certificate;
- a solicitor-certified copy;
- HEDD verification;
- an Ulster confirmation letter;
- an academic transcript;
- a certified translation;
- a passport copy; or
- specific certification wording.
Therefore, we check the destination rules before preparing the document.
Our process
Step 1: Document review
First, we review the front and back of the certificate.
We identify the institution, awarding body, qualification and award date.
Step 2: Verification-route selection
Next, we decide whether to use HEDD, direct Ulster verification or both.
Step 3: Candidate consent
The graduate signs the required consent form.
Step 4: Degree verification
We submit the enquiry using the exact information shown on the academic documents.
Step 5: Authenticity review
Our solicitor compares the verification result with the certificate and identification evidence.
Step 6: Solicitor certification
Where the information matches, our solicitor prepares the appropriate certification.
Step 7: FCDO apostille
We submit the document for an apostille. A 2-working-day express option is available for eligible cases.
Step 8: Embassy legalisation
Where required, we arrange the embassy or consular stage.
Step 9: Return delivery
Finally, we provide a completion scan where requested and return the documents through the agreed delivery service.
Frequently asked questions
Is a New University of Ulster degree still valid?
Yes.
Ulster University now verifies qualifications awarded by the former New University of Ulster.
What happened to the New University of Ulster?
It merged with Ulster Polytechnic in 1984 to form the University of Ulster.
Who verifies an old New University of Ulster degree?
Ulster University verifies it.
A third party can use HEDD or contact the University directly.
Is HEDD the only route?
No.
Ulster does not have an exclusive HEDD contract for this legacy record. Therefore, direct verification remains an option.
Can HEDD verify a current Ulster student through this record?
No.
The New University of Ulster entry covers graduates only.
Do I need candidate consent?
Yes.
The graduate must sign a consent form before a third party can obtain the academic information.
Which consent-file formats does HEDD accept?
HEDD accepts PDF, JPG, PNG and TIF files.
Can I obtain a transcript or confirmation letter?
Yes.
Ulster University provides a transcript and letter-of-confirmation request service for graduates.
How long does a transcript or confirmation letter take?
Ulster currently advises applicants to allow about three weeks for processing.
Can I obtain a replacement certificate?
Possibly.
Ulster’s published guidance includes replacement certificates for former New University of Ulster awards.
What if CNAA issued my award?
A different record route may apply.
Ulster’s guidance states that a Certificate of Verification may be available for a CNAA award.
Is degree verification the same as solicitor certification?
No.
Degree verification checks the academic record. Meanwhile, solicitor certification formally certifies the document or copy.
Does an apostille verify my degree?
No.
The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not check the academic record.
Can Ginkgo Advisory arrange a 2-working-day apostille?
Yes, provided that the document is eligible and ready for FCDO submission.
Do I need embassy legalisation?
You may need it where the destination requires further embassy or consular processing.
Do I need to send the original certificate?
Possibly.
We can begin with clear colour scans and then confirm whether our solicitor needs the original or another official document.
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