Newcastle College Degree Verification, Solicitor Certification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Newcastle College degree verification and apostille services for graduates who need to use their academic documents overseas.

Our solicitor-led service can include:

• direct Newcastle College verification;
• confirmation of the awarding body;
• 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.

Newcastle College does not provide degree verification through HEDD.

Instead, third parties must contact the College directly. The HEDD listing states that Newcastle College accepts verification enquiries by phone and requires the candidate’s consent.

Quick answers

Who verifies a Newcastle College degree?

Newcastle College verifies academic records for qualifications that it or its degree-awarding structure issued.

The current contact details are:

Telephone: 0191 200 4000
Email: enquiries@ncl-coll.ac.uk
Address: Rye Hill Campus, Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7SA

The College publishes the same telephone number, email address and campus details on its current contact page.

Can I use HEDD?

No.

HEDD lists Newcastle College, but it does not provide online verification for its awards.

Instead, the listing directs third parties to contact the College directly.

Does Newcastle College award degrees?

Yes.

Newcastle College University Centre has held Foundation Degree Awarding Powers since 2011. It gained powers to award higher-education qualifications up to master’s level in 2016.

In 2023, the Office for Students granted those Taught Degree Awarding Powers on an indefinite basis.

Many current courses state that NCG awards the qualification. For example, current Foundation Degree course pages name NCG as the awarding body.

Can a Newcastle College degree receive an apostille?

Yes.

In most cases, our solicitor can certify a suitable copy before submitting the document for an FCDO apostille.

The Legalisation Office checks whether the relevant signature, stamp or seal matches its records. It then attaches an apostille where the document meets the requirements.

How quickly can Ginkgo Advisory obtain the apostille?

We offer a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible documents.

However, the two-working-day 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 receiving country does not accept an apostille as the final step.

Therefore, we check the destination and receiving authority before preparing the document.

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About Newcastle College

Newcastle College is a further and higher education college in Newcastle upon Tyne.

It offers:

• vocational qualifications;
• apprenticeships;
• higher technical qualifications;
• foundation degrees;
• honours degrees;
• teaching qualifications; and
• postgraduate programmes.

The College delivers its degree-level provision through Newcastle College University Centre.

Since 2018, the University Centre has acted as the main identity for the College’s higher-education courses.

However, graduates should check the exact awarding body printed on their certificate.

Depending on the course and date, the document may name:

• Newcastle College;
• Newcastle College University Centre;
• NCG;
• a validating university;
• Pearson or BTEC;
• another professional or vocational awarding body; or
• more than one organisation.

Therefore, the place of study and formal awarding body may not always be the same.

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Newcastle College is not Newcastle University

Newcastle College and Newcastle University are separate institutions.

Both operate in Newcastle upon Tyne. However, they have different:

• academic records;
• certificates;
• awarding arrangements;
• verification procedures; and
• contact details.

A Newcastle College graduate should not use Newcastle University’s verification or replacement-document shop unless Newcastle University appears as the awarding body on the certificate.

Similarly, a document issued by Newcastle University should not be submitted to Newcastle College.

Therefore, we check the full institution name before starting the verification.

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Direct degree verification

Newcastle College does not offer HEDD verification.

The HEDD record states that degree-data verification is available directly from the College.

It also says that the College can check:

• whether the candidate was a past student;
• the award received;
• the grade attained; and
• the attendance dates.

Verification requests currently begin by contacting the College by telephone.

The College may then direct the enquirer to the team that holds the relevant record.

That team may ask for:

• written candidate consent;
• a copy of the certificate;
• identity evidence;
• the student number;
• course details;
• attendance dates; or
• a formal written request.

The HEDD listing does not state a fixed verification fee.

Therefore, the College should confirm any charge when it receives the enquiry.

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Candidate consent

Newcastle College requires the candidate’s consent before releasing academic information to a third party.

The College does not publish a specific consent template through the HEDD listing.

Therefore, applicants should contact the College for its current requirements.

A suitable consent form should normally include:

• the graduate’s full name;
• any former name used during study;
• date of birth;
• student number, if known;
• course title;
• qualification title;
• attendance dates;
• the authorised third party;
• the information that the College may release;
• the reason for the request;
• the candidate’s signature; and
• the date.

The wording should clearly cover academic or educational records.

Ginkgo Advisory can prepare the consent before contacting the College. However, the College may request its own form or extra wording.

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Information needed for verification

We normally request:

• the graduate’s full name during study;
• any later name;
• date of birth;
• student number, if known;
• course title;
• qualification title;
• graduation year;
• grade or classification;
• dates of attendance;
• campus or study centre;
• the awarding body;
• a clear colour scan of the certificate;
• a scan of the reverse side;
• a transcript or results statement, if available;
• the graduate’s passport;
• evidence of any name change; and
• signed candidate consent.

Small differences can delay a record search.

For example, problems may arise because of:

• a missing middle name;
• an incorrect award year;
• a shortened course title;
• a later change of surname;
• incomplete attendance dates;
• confusion between Newcastle College and Newcastle University; or
• an incorrect awarding body.

Therefore, we copy the information directly from the academic documents wherever possible.

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Check the awarding body

The awarding body is the organisation that formally grants the qualification.

It may differ from the institution that provides the teaching.

Newcastle College now holds indefinite Taught Degree Awarding Powers. Those powers cover higher-education awards up to level 7 and extend across the NCG college group.

As a result, many current degree pages describe the award as an NCG qualification.

For example, Newcastle College currently lists NCG as the awarding body for courses including:

• FdA Children and Young People;
• FdA Culinary Arts;
• FdSc Healthcare Practice; and
• Diploma in Higher Education: Teaching in Further Education.

However, older or non-degree qualifications may name another awarding organisation.

Therefore, we examine:

• the certificate heading;
• the logos;
• the seals;
• the signatures;
• the award wording;
• the reverse side; and
• any transcript or diploma supplement.

The correct record holder controls the verification and replacement-document route.

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Degree and non-degree qualifications

Newcastle College offers both higher-education and further-education programmes.

Therefore, not every Newcastle College certificate represents a degree.

The document may relate to:

• a bachelor’s degree;
• a master’s degree;
• a Foundation Degree;
• a Certificate of Higher Education;
• a Diploma of Higher Education;
• an HNC;
• an HND;
• an Access to HE Diploma;
• a vocational diploma;
• a professional qualification;
• an apprenticeship;
• a T Level;
• an A Level; or
• a GCSE.

For example, some current Newcastle College courses lead to qualifications awarded by NCFE or Ascentis rather than NCG.

Therefore, the applicant should use the correct description.

A vocational certificate should not be described as a university degree.

Similarly, the relevant awarding organisation may need to verify an HNC, HND or professional certificate.

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Degree verification and solicitor certification

They are different.

Degree verification

Newcastle College or the correct awarding body checks the academic record.

Solicitor verification

Our solicitor reviews the certificate, verification result and identity evidence.

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, each stage performs a separate function.

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Basic solicitor certification

A basic certified true copy confirms that the copy matches the original document shown to the solicitor.

It does not automatically confirm that Newcastle College or NCG issued the original certificate.

Therefore, basic certification answers only one question:

Does the copy match the document presented to the solicitor?

That wording may be enough for some receiving authorities.

However, other authorities may ask for independent confirmation of the qualification.

In those cases, enhanced solicitor certification may provide a stronger route.

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Enhanced solicitor certification

Ginkgo Advisory provides enhanced solicitor certification where reliable evidence supports it.

First, we identify the correct awarding body.

Next, we obtain or review independent verification.

Our solicitor then compares the verification evidence with the academic document.

Finally, the solicitor prepares wording that reflects the checks completed.

The enhanced process may include:

1. direct Newcastle College verification;
2. confirmation from NCG or another awarding body;
3. review of the original certificate;
4. review of a transcript or results statement;
5. comparison of the academic information;
6. identity and name checks;
7. authenticity confirmation; and
8. solicitor certification.

Therefore, enhanced certification connects the document with the underlying academic record.

However, our solicitor will only confirm authenticity when the available evidence supports that conclusion.

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Authenticity confirmation

Authenticity confirmation means that independent evidence supports the academic document.

For example, the evidence may confirm that:

• the College holds a matching student record;
• the correct awarding body issued the qualification;
• the award title matches;
• the classification matches;
• the award date matches;
• the attendance dates match; and
• the document contains no unexplained material difference.

However, direct verification may reveal that another organisation holds the main award record.

In that situation, we may need confirmation from that awarding body before our solicitor can use authenticity-focused wording.

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FCDO apostille

A Newcastle College degree or qualification can usually receive an FCDO apostille after correct preparation.

The suitable document may include:

• a solicitor-certified degree certificate;
• a certified Foundation Degree certificate;
• a certified transcript;
• an official College letter;
• a results statement;
• a replacement certificate; or
• another eligible academic document.

The FCDO checks the relevant signature, seal or stamp. It does not check the student’s complete academic history.

Therefore, a strong document chain may follow this order:

academic verification → authenticity review → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

Each stage provides a different form of assurance.

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Two-working-day express apostille

Ginkgo Advisory offers a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible documents.

However, the express period covers the FCDO stage only.

It starts after:

• we identify the correct awarding body;
• the College or awarding organisation completes the required verification;
• our solicitor approves the evidence;
• we prepare the certification; and
• the document meets the FCDO requirements.

Therefore, the two-working-day period does not include:

• College verification;
• historic record searches;
• transcript production;
• replacement-document production;
• solicitor evidence enquiries;
• embassy legalisation; or
• international delivery.

The FCDO offers both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles. However, the receiving authority must accept the selected format.

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Embassy legalisation

Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the UK authentication stage.

A typical route may involve:

1. qualification verification;
2. solicitor certification;
3. FCDO apostille or authentication;
4. embassy legalisation; and
5. further local processing after arrival.

However, each embassy sets its own rules.

For example, it may request:

• the original certificate;
• a solicitor-certified copy;
• direct College verification;
• confirmation from NCG;
• a transcript;
• a certified translation;
• a passport copy;
• an application form; or
• specific certification wording.

Therefore, we check the receiving authority’s instructions before preparing the document.

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Our process

Step 1: Document review

First, we review the front and back of the certificate.

We identify:

• the teaching institution;
• the awarding body;
• the qualification;
• the award date;
• the grade or classification;
• the signatures; and
• the seals.

Step 2: Verification-route selection

Next, we decide whether the enquiry should go to:

• Newcastle College;
• NCG;
• another university;
• Pearson or BTEC;
• a professional body; or
• another awarding organisation.

Step 3: Candidate consent

The graduate signs the required consent form.

Step 4: Academic verification

We contact the correct record holder and provide the candidate’s academic details.

Step 5: Authenticity review

Our solicitor compares the verification evidence with the certificate and identity documents.

Step 6: Solicitor certification

Where the evidence matches, our solicitor prepares the appropriate certification.

Step 7: FCDO apostille

We submit the document for an apostille.

An express 2-working-day 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.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Newcastle College a recognised degree-awarding institution?

Yes.

Newcastle College University Centre holds indefinite Taught Degree Awarding Powers.

Does Newcastle College award its own degrees?

Newcastle College, as part of NCG, awards many of its current higher-education qualifications through NCG.

However, applicants should check the exact awarding body on their certificate.

Can I verify the degree through HEDD?

No.

HEDD directs third parties to contact Newcastle College directly.

How do I contact Newcastle College?

The current main contact details are:

Telephone: 0191 200 4000
Email: enquiries@ncl-coll.ac.uk
Address: Rye Hill Campus, Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7SA.

Does the College require candidate consent?

Yes.

The HEDD listing states that candidate consent is required. Applicants should contact the College for its current format and wording.

What can direct verification confirm?

It may confirm:

• past-student status;
• the award;
• the grade; and
• attendance dates.

How much does Newcastle College verification cost?

The HEDD listing does not publish a fixed fee.

Therefore, the College should confirm any charge when the enquiry begins.

Is Newcastle College the same as Newcastle University?

No.

They are separate institutions with different records and verification routes.

What does NCG mean on my degree certificate?

NCG is the college group that includes Newcastle College.

Many current Newcastle College University Centre courses state that NCG awards the qualification.

Can a solicitor verify my Newcastle College degree?

Yes.

Our solicitor can review direct College confirmation, the certificate and other academic evidence.

What is enhanced solicitor certification?

Enhanced certification combines solicitor review with independent academic verification.

It provides more evidence than a basic certified copy.

Does an apostille verify the qualification?

No.

The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

It does not independently check the student’s academic record.

Can Ginkgo Advisory arrange a 2-working-day apostille?

Yes, provided that the document is eligible and ready for FCDO submission.

Can I obtain an e-Apostille?

Possibly.

The FCDO offers both paper and electronic apostilles. However, the receiving authority must accept the electronic format.

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;
• direct College verification;
• a transcript;
• an awarding-body letter; or
• another official document.