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 Highland College UHI degree verification and apostille services for graduates who need to use their academic documents overseas.
Our solicitor-led service can include:
- direct UHI degree verification;
- awarding-body 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 Highland College UHI formed part of the University of the Highlands and Islands partnership.
In August 2023, North Highland College merged with UHI West Highland and UHI Outer Hebrides. The merged college now operates as UHI North, West and Hebrides. However, the University of the Highlands and Islands remains responsible for its own university awards and central student records.
Quick answers
Who verifies a North Highland College UHI degree?
The University of the Highlands and Islands, commonly known as UHI, verifies degrees that it awarded.
Applicants cannot complete this verification through HEDD. Instead, they must contact UHI directly through its Student Records Office. HEDD identifies UHI as the institution responsible for qualifications linked to North Highland College UHI.
Can every North Highland College qualification follow the UHI route?
No.
The correct route depends on the awarding body printed on the certificate.
An older document may name:
- the University of the Highlands and Islands;
- the Open University;
- the University of Aberdeen;
- the University of Strathclyde;
- SQA or a predecessor body; or
- another validating institution.
Therefore, we check the complete certificate before requesting verification.
Can the certificate receive an FCDO apostille?
Yes.
In many cases, our solicitor can certify a suitable copy before submitting it for an FCDO apostille.
The FCDO checks the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. If it matches its official records, the Legalisation Office attaches an apostille.
How quickly can Ginkgo Advisory arrange the apostille?
We offer a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible and correctly prepared documents.
However, the two-working-day period covers the FCDO stage only. It begins after we complete the academic verification and solicitor certification.
Do I need embassy legalisation?
You may need embassy or consular legalisation where the destination does not accept an apostille as the final step.
For a non-Hague destination, the process may continue through the relevant embassy and the destination country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
North Highland College UHI and UHI North, West and Hebrides
North Highland College UHI previously served communities across Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.
On 1 August 2023, it merged with UHI West Highland and UHI Outer Hebrides. The merged institution now uses the name UHI North, West and Hebrides.
As a result, academic records may refer to:
- North Highland College;
- North Highland College UHI;
- UHI North Highland;
- the University of the Highlands and Islands; or
- UHI North, West and Hebrides.
These changes do not invalidate an earlier qualification.
However, an overseas employer or regulator may need evidence that connects the former college name with the current UHI structure.
Direct verification rather than HEDD
North Highland College UHI qualifications do not use the standard online HEDD verification service.
Instead, the University of the Highlands and Islands handles relevant university records directly.
UHI’s Student Records Office maintains the University’s central student records and works with registry teams across its academic partners.
A direct verification request may confirm:
- whether the graduate studied through UHI;
- the programme;
- the degree or award;
- the classification;
- the award date; and
- the attendance dates.
The exact information depends on the record held.
Student Records Office
The current central contact for UHI student-record matters is:
Student Records Office
Email: SRO@uhi.ac.uk
The historic HEDD entry lists the Executive Office in Inverness and confirms that verification requests require candidate consent.
Applicants should use the current UHI process rather than rely only on old postal or fax details.
Candidate consent
UHI requires the graduate’s consent before releasing personal academic information to a third party.
The precise format may depend on the request. Therefore, we confirm the current Student Records Office requirements before submission.
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;
- programme title;
- qualification;
- study dates;
- the authorised third party;
- the information that UHI may release;
- the purpose of the request;
- the graduate’s signature; and
- the date.
Ginkgo Advisory can prepare the consent form and submit the request on headed paper where required.
Information needed for verification
We normally request:
- a clear colour scan of the certificate;
- a scan of the reverse side;
- any academic transcript;
- the graduate’s passport;
- the full name used during study;
- any later name;
- date of birth;
- student number, if known;
- programme title;
- qualification title;
- award year;
- classification or grade;
- attendance dates;
- the study campus;
- the awarding body;
- evidence of any name change; and
- signed candidate consent.
Small differences can delay an older 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 the college and UHI;
- an incorrect awarding university; or
- confusion between a degree and an SQA qualification.
Therefore, we use the exact wording shown on the academic documents.
Check the awarding body
The college that delivered the teaching may not have awarded the qualification.
UHI gained taught degree-awarding powers in August 2008. Before that, many UHI students received degrees through external validating institutions, including the Open University.
Therefore, an older certificate may name:
- the Open University;
- the University of Aberdeen;
- the University of Strathclyde;
- another university;
- SQA; or
- a predecessor awarding organisation.
The awarding body controls:
- formal award verification;
- replacement certificates;
- certified award statements;
- transcript records; and
- the correct document for apostille purposes.
In some cases, UHI may confirm the period and place of study while another institution verifies the final award.
UHI-awarded degrees
Where the certificate names the University of the Highlands and Islands as the awarding body, UHI’s Student Records Office should normally hold the central award record.
UHI’s academic transcript can include:
- modules taken;
- assessment results;
- grades;
- credits;
- recognised prior learning;
- the degree awarded; and
- the degree classification.
This transcript may provide useful evidence for:
- overseas employment;
- professional registration;
- further study;
- immigration;
- credential evaluation; and
- enhanced solicitor certification.
Open University and other externally awarded degrees
An older student may have studied through North Highland College or the UHI partnership while the Open University awarded the degree.
In that case, the Open University may control:
- formal award verification;
- replacement certificates;
- award confirmation letters; and
- some official academic documents.
Likewise, another route may apply where Aberdeen, Strathclyde or another university appears on the certificate.
Therefore, we should not describe every qualification studied at North Highland College as a UHI-awarded degree.
The certificate’s exact wording must guide the process.
HNC, HND and other SQA qualifications
Not every North Highland College qualification is a university degree.
The student may hold:
- an HNC;
- an HND;
- an SVQ;
- a Professional Development Award;
- a National Certificate;
- an apprenticeship qualification; or
- another SQA award.
UHI states that its university transcript does not include modules validated by other institutions. This exclusion covers SQA qualifications such as HNCs, HNDs, PDAs and SVQs. The graduate must obtain those records from the relevant education provider or awarding body.
Therefore, an SQA certificate may require:
- verification through the current Scottish awarding body;
- confirmation from UHI North, West and Hebrides;
- a replacement certificate or certified statement; or
- a combined evidence route.
Academic transcripts
Graduates can request a UHI academic transcript for eligible university records.
The current UHI payment page lists a transcript fee of £5 per copy.
However, transcript availability depends on:
- the awarding body;
- the qualification type;
- the age of the record;
- the information retained; and
- whether the modules belonged to a UHI or external award.
Therefore, an older graduate may receive:
- a complete transcript;
- partial academic information;
- confirmation of the final award; or
- guidance to contact another awarding body.
Replacement certificates
UHI provides replacement certificates for eligible UHI awards.
The graduate must request an application form from the Student Records Office.
The current administration charge is £35, with an additional postal charge for delivery outside the UK.
However, UHI can only replace a certificate for an award within its responsibility.
Where another university or SQA issued the original qualification, that organisation may control the replacement route.
Therefore, the graduate should check the awarding body before paying a replacement fee.
Verification and solicitor certification
Academic verification and solicitor certification perform different roles.
Academic verification
UHI or the correct awarding body checks the underlying academic 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 original document shown to the solicitor.
However, it does not automatically confirm that UHI or another awarding institution issued the original certificate.
For stronger evidence, Ginkgo Advisory can provide enhanced solicitor certification.
The process may include:
- direct UHI or awarding-body verification;
- confirmation of the correct awarding institution;
- review of the original certificate;
- review of a transcript or official letter;
- comparison of the academic details;
- identity and name checks;
- authenticity confirmation; and
- solicitor certification.
Therefore, enhanced certification connects the academic document with an independent record.
However, our solicitor will only confirm authenticity where reliable evidence supports that conclusion.
FCDO apostille
A North Highland College UHI qualification 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 academic transcript;
- an official UHI letter;
- a replacement certificate;
- an Open University document;
- an SQA document; or
- another eligible academic record.
The receiving authority may require a particular format.
Therefore, we first check whether it needs:
- the original certificate;
- a certified copy;
- direct university verification;
- a transcript;
- an official award letter; or
- a combined document pack.
What does the apostille confirm?
An apostille does not check the graduate’s academic record.
Instead, the FCDO checks whether the relevant signature, stamp or seal matches its official records.
For a solicitor-certified copy, the FCDO normally authenticates the solicitor’s signature.
As a result, a strong process may follow this order:
academic 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, this period covers the FCDO stage only.
It begins after:
- we identify the correct awarding body;
- the required 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:
- UHI record searches;
- external university verification;
- SQA verification;
- transcript production;
- replacement-certificate production;
- solicitor evidence enquiries;
- embassy legalisation; or
- international delivery.
Embassy legalisation
Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO stage.
A typical non-Hague route may involve:
- academic verification;
- solicitor certification;
- FCDO apostille or authentication;
- embassy legalisation; and
- approval by the destination country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, each embassy sets its own rules.
For example, it may require:
- the original certificate;
- a solicitor-certified copy;
- direct UHI verification;
- an academic transcript;
- an official award 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 front and back of the certificate.
We identify:
- the college;
- the awarding body;
- the qualification;
- the award date;
- the classification;
- the signatures; and
- the seals.
Step 2: Verification-route selection
Next, we decide whether the case requires:
- direct UHI verification;
- the Open University;
- another validating university;
- an SQA record;
- UHI North, West and Hebrides; 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 academic documents.
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.
We then return the documents through the agreed postal or courier service.
Frequently asked questions
Is a North Highland College UHI qualification still valid?
Yes.
The college merger and name changes do not invalidate qualifications issued before the merger.
What is North Highland College UHI called now?
North Highland College merged with UHI West Highland and UHI Outer Hebrides in August 2023.
The merged college now operates as UHI North, West and Hebrides.
Who verifies a North Highland College UHI degree?
The University of the Highlands and Islands verifies degrees that it awarded.
Another institution may verify the qualification where its name appears as the awarding body.
Can I verify the degree through HEDD?
No.
The HEDD entry directs applicants to contact the University directly.
Who should receive the verification request?
UHI’s Student Records Office handles central student-record enquiries.
The current email address is SRO@uhi.ac.uk.
Do I need candidate consent?
Yes.
A third-party request requires the graduate’s authority.
Can I obtain a UHI transcript?
Yes, for eligible UHI university records.
The current price is £5 per transcript.
Does a UHI transcript include an HNC or HND?
No.
UHI states that its transcript excludes SQA-validated qualifications such as HNCs, HNDs, PDAs and SVQs.
Can I obtain a replacement certificate?
Possibly.
UHI currently charges £35 for an eligible replacement certificate. However, the correct provider depends on the awarding body.
What if the Open University awarded my degree?
The Open University may control the verification and replacement-document route.
UHI may still hold supporting information about the programme and place of study.
Is academic verification the same as solicitor certification?
No.
Academic verification checks the underlying 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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