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 North East London Polytechnic degree verification and apostille services for graduates who need to use their academic documents overseas.
Our solicitor-led service can include:
- CNAA award verification;
- University of East London record checks;
- 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.
North East London Polytechnic awarded recognised UK qualifications between 1970 and 1992.
Today, the University of East London is the successor institution. However, it cannot verify degree awards gained before November 1992 because the Council for National Academic Awards, known as CNAA, conferred those degrees.
Therefore, the certificate’s exact awarding body determines the correct route.
Quick answers
Who verifies a North East London Polytechnic degree?
The Open University normally verifies the award where the certificate names:
- CNAA; or
- the Council for National Academic Awards.
The Open University now holds the CNAA award archive. It can issue a certificate-style pro forma, verification letter or email confirmation.
Can I verify the degree through UEL HEDD?
Usually not for a North East London Polytechnic degree awarded before November 1992.
Although HEDD lists the University of East London as the successor institution, the same listing states that UEL cannot verify those earlier degree awards.
Can UEL provide other academic information?
Possibly.
UEL may hold local study records, archived information or transcript material. However, its HEDD listing states that student records extend back only to around 1996 and may not be complete.
Therefore, UEL may not hold a full record for a North East London Polytechnic student.
Can the degree certificate receive an apostille?
Yes.
In most cases, our solicitor can certify a suitable copy before submitting it for an FCDO apostille.
How quickly can Ginkgo Advisory arrange the apostille?
We offer a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible documents.
However, this period covers the FCDO stage only. It begins after CNAA or other academic verification and solicitor certification are complete.
Do I need embassy legalisation?
You may need embassy or consular legalisation where the destination does not accept an apostille as the final stage.
For a non-Hague destination, the usual process may continue through the relevant embassy and the destination country’s foreign ministry.
North East London Polytechnic and UEL
North East London Polytechnic forms part of the institutional history of the University of East London.
UEL’s archives group North East London Polytechnic and the Polytechnic of East London within the period from 1968 to 1992.
As a result, a graduate may hold:
- a North East London Polytechnic certificate;
- a Polytechnic of East London transcript;
- a CNAA degree certificate;
- a current document from the University of East London; or
- records that refer to more than one institution.
These differences do not make the qualification invalid.
However, an overseas employer or authority may need evidence that explains the relationship between:
- the teaching institution;
- the awarding body;
- the successor university; and
- the current record holder.
The awarding body controls the verification route
North East London Polytechnic often delivered the teaching.
However, CNAA commonly conferred the final degree.
Therefore, applicants should check the certificate for:
- “CNAA”;
- “Council for National Academic Awards”;
- the Polytechnic’s name;
- another university;
- a professional body;
- an examination board;
- signatures and seals; and
- any wording about validation.
Not every qualification taught at a former polytechnic was a CNAA award.
The Open University expressly warns that some polytechnic qualifications followed other awarding routes.
Therefore, we review the full document before submitting a verification request.
Route 1: CNAA degree verification
CNAA operated as a major UK degree-awarding body between 1965 and 1992.
The Open University now keeps the digital archive of CNAA awards and provides the current verification service.
A CNAA verification can confirm:
- the graduate’s name at the time of the award;
- the qualification;
- the degree classification;
- the award date; and
- the institution where the graduate studied.
The Open University can provide the result as:
- a certificate-style pro forma;
- a verification letter;
- an email verification; or
- a hard copy with an additional PDF.
CNAA fee and processing time
The current CNAA verification fee is £60.
The Open University advises applicants to allow up to seven working days. A graduate can apply directly, or a third party can apply with the graduate’s signed consent.
What CNAA cannot verify
The Open University does not hold transcript information for CNAA awards.
Therefore, it cannot normally confirm:
- individual modules;
- module marks;
- component grades;
- attendance dates;
- full-time or part-time status; or
- incomplete study.
A graduate who needs these details may also need to approach UEL or another archive holder.
Route 2: University of East London records
UEL may hold local student records, transcripts or archived information linked to the former Polytechnic.
However, the HEDD listing states that UEL’s student records extend back to approximately 1996. It also warns that records from that period may not be complete.
Since North East London Polytechnic awards predate 1992, UEL may not hold a complete modern student record.
Nevertheless, UEL’s Academic Registry currently manages:
- approved academic results;
- certificates;
- transcripts; and
- student records.
Previous students who need a transcript or replacement certificate should contact UEL’s Student Hub. The current telephone number is +44 (0)20 8223 4444.
Therefore, UEL may provide useful supporting evidence even where it cannot verify the final CNAA award.
HEDD and North East London Polytechnic
HEDD lists North East London Polytechnic as a former recognised institution.
It also states that:
- UEL is an exclusive HEDD partner;
- third-party checks require signed candidate consent;
- the consent can be uploaded as PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF; and
- the current HEDD enquiry fee is £14.
However, the same page confirms that UEL cannot verify degree awards gained before November 1992.
Therefore, applicants should not pay for a HEDD enquiry without checking the awarding body first.
For a CNAA degree, The Open University route normally provides the correct final-award verification.
Candidate consent
Both HEDD and CNAA third-party enquiries require the graduate’s consent.
A suitable consent form should include:
- the graduate’s full name;
- any former name used during study;
- date of birth;
- course title;
- qualification;
- award year;
- attendance dates;
- student or candidate number, if known;
- the organisation making the request;
- the academic information that may be released;
- the graduate’s signature; and
- the date.
Ginkgo Advisory can prepare the consent form and identify the correct verification provider before submission.
Information required for verification
We normally request:
- a clear colour scan of the certificate;
- a scan of the reverse side;
- any available transcript;
- the graduate’s passport;
- the full name used during study;
- any later name;
- date of birth;
- course title;
- qualification title;
- degree classification;
- award year;
- attendance dates;
- student or candidate number, if known;
- evidence of any name change;
- the intended country of use;
- the receiving authority’s name; and
- signed candidate consent.
Small differences may delay a historic 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;
- confusion between NELP and UEL;
- confusion between the Polytechnic and CNAA; or
- an incorrect awarding body.
Therefore, we use the exact wording shown on the academic documents.
Verification and solicitor certification
Academic verification and solicitor certification perform different roles.
Academic verification
The Open University, UEL or another awarding body checks the qualification record.
Solicitor verification
Our solicitor reviews the certificate, verification evidence and identification documents.
Solicitor certification
The solicitor places a formal certification statement on the document or copy.
FCDO apostille
The apostille authenticates the relevant UK public signature, stamp or seal.
Therefore, one stage does not replace another.
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 CNAA or the Polytechnic issued the original certificate.
For stronger evidence, Ginkgo Advisory can provide enhanced solicitor certification.
The process may include:
- CNAA or other academic verification;
- review of the original certificate;
- review of a transcript or UEL record;
- confirmation of the awarding body;
- comparison of the award details;
- identity and name checks;
- authenticity confirmation; and
- solicitor certification.
Therefore, the certification can connect the historic certificate with an independent academic record.
However, our solicitor will only confirm authenticity where reliable evidence supports that conclusion.
FCDO apostille
A North East London Polytechnic or CNAA 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 CNAA pro forma;
- a certified CNAA verification letter;
- a certified academic transcript;
- an official UEL document; or
- another eligible academic record.
The FCDO checks whether the relevant signature, stamp or seal matches its records. If it does, the Legalisation Office attaches an apostille.
Therefore, the apostille does not verify the academic record itself.
A strong process may follow this order:
CNAA or academic verification → authenticity review → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille
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 begins after:
- we identify the correct awarding body;
- CNAA or another record holder completes the required verification;
- 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:
- CNAA verification;
- UEL record searches;
- transcript production;
- replacement-document production;
- solicitor evidence enquiries;
- embassy legalisation; or
- international delivery.
Embassy legalisation
Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO stage.
A typical route may involve:
- academic verification;
- solicitor certification;
- FCDO apostille or authentication;
- embassy legalisation; and
- approval by the destination country’s foreign ministry.
The UK government confirms this additional process for countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention.
However, each embassy sets its own requirements.
For example, it may request:
- the original certificate;
- a solicitor-certified copy;
- CNAA verification;
- a UEL transcript;
- an official academic letter;
- a certified translation;
- a passport copy; or
- specific certification wording.
Therefore, we check the requirements before preparing the document.
Our process
Step 1: Document review
First, we review the certificate and identify the teaching institution, awarding body and qualification.
Step 2: Verification-route selection
Next, we decide whether the case requires:
- CNAA verification through The Open University;
- supporting records from UEL;
- another awarding body; or
- more than one source.
Step 3: Candidate consent
The graduate signs the required consent form.
Step 4: Academic verification
We submit the request using the exact details shown on the certificate.
Step 5: Authenticity review
Our solicitor compares the verification result with the certificate and identification evidence.
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.
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 North East London Polytechnic degree still valid?
Yes.
A later institutional change does not invalidate the qualification.
However, the graduate may need current verification from CNAA’s record holder or another awarding body.
Who verifies a North East London Polytechnic degree?
The Open University normally verifies it where CNAA conferred the degree.
UEL cannot verify degree awards gained before November 1992.
Can I use HEDD?
The HEDD page exists, but applicants should check the award before paying.
A pre-November 1992 CNAA degree normally requires The Open University’s CNAA service rather than a UEL HEDD result.
How much does HEDD cost?
HEDD currently lists a £14 enquiry fee.
How much does CNAA verification cost?
The Open University currently charges £60.
How long does CNAA verification take?
The Open University advises applicants to allow up to seven working days.
Can CNAA provide a replacement certificate?
The Open University can issue a certificate-style pro forma rather than an exact copy of the original CNAA certificate.
Can CNAA provide a transcript?
No.
The Open University does not hold transcript information for CNAA awards.
Can UEL provide a transcript?
Possibly.
Previous students should contact UEL’s Student Hub. However, records for the Polytechnic period may be limited.
Is North East London Polytechnic the same as UEL?
It forms part of UEL’s institutional history.
However, the Polytechnic and current University names refer to different periods.
Is verification the same as solicitor certification?
No.
Verification checks the academic record. Solicitor certification formally certifies the document or copy.
Does an apostille verify the 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 further embassy or consular processing where the destination does not accept an apostille as the final step.
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