Our solicitor can verify, certify, apostille & legalise
All UK recognised degree-awarding universities or colleges
471
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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 Staffordshire 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;
- Open University HEDD 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 Staffordshire Polytechnic awarded recognised UK qualifications between 1970 and 1988.
The institution became Staffordshire Polytechnic in 1988. It later became Staffordshire University in 1992 and adopted the name University of Staffordshire in 2024.
However, the current University cannot verify or provide award documents for most pre-1993 qualifications. Therefore, the awarding body printed on the certificate decides the correct route.
Quick answers
Who verifies a North Staffordshire Polytechnic degree?
For most degrees and PGCEs, the awarding body was the Council for National Academic Awards, known as CNAA.
The Open University now holds the CNAA award archive and provides formal verification, letters and certificate-style pro forma documents.
Can I verify the qualification through HEDD?
That depends on the awarding body.
A completed award issued directly by The Open University follows the HEDD route.
However, a qualification awarded by CNAA follows The Open University’s Validation Partnerships aftercare route instead. Applicants should not use the standard OU HEDD process for a CNAA award.
What if my certificate is an HNC or HND?
Many pre-1993 HNC, HND and BTEC qualifications were awarded by BTEC, Edexcel or Pearson.
In that case, Pearson normally controls the verification and replacement-document process.
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 whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its official records. It then attaches an apostille where the document meets the legalisation requirements.
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, this period covers the FCDO stage only. It begins after the 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 step.
Therefore, we check the receiving authority’s requirements before preparing the document.
About North Staffordshire Polytechnic
North Staffordshire Polytechnic developed from colleges in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford.
The institution later shortened its name to Staffordshire Polytechnic in 1988. It then gained university status in 1992 and became Staffordshire University. In 2024, it adopted the name University of Staffordshire.
As a result, academic documents may refer to:
- North Staffordshire Polytechnic;
- Staffordshire Polytechnic;
- Staffordshire University;
- University of Staffordshire;
- CNAA;
- BTEC;
- Edexcel; or
- another awarding body.
These name changes do not invalidate an earlier qualification.
Nevertheless, an overseas employer or regulator may need evidence that explains the relationship between the former Polytechnic and the current University.
Check the awarding body first
The teaching institution and awarding body may be different.
North Staffordshire Polytechnic may have delivered the teaching. However, CNAA often issued the final degree certificate.
The University of Staffordshire confirms that CNAA awarded most pre-1993 Polytechnic degrees and PGCEs. It also states that Pearson or Edexcel handles many pre-1993 BTEC awards, including HNCs and HNDs.
Therefore, applicants should check the certificate for:
- “CNAA”;
- “Council for National Academic Awards”;
- “The Open University”;
- BTEC;
- Edexcel;
- Pearson;
- another university;
- a professional body;
- signatures;
- seals; and
- validation wording.
This check controls:
- who verifies the award;
- who can issue replacement evidence;
- who holds the academic record;
- what consent form is required; and
- which document should receive the apostille.
Route 1: CNAA degree verification
CNAA operated as a major UK degree-awarding body from 1965 to 1992.
When CNAA closed, The Open University received responsibility for its award records. The Open University can now verify a CNAA award through its Validation Partnerships aftercare service.
This route applies where the certificate names:
- CNAA; or
- the Council for National Academic Awards.
What can CNAA verification confirm?
The Open University can normally 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 verification can take the form of:
- a certificate-style pro forma;
- a formal verification letter; or
- an email verification.
CNAA fee and processing time
The current CNAA verification fee is £60.
The Open University advises applicants to allow up to seven working days after it receives the signed authorisation form.
A graduate can apply personally.
Alternatively, a third party can apply with the graduate’s signed consent.
Can CNAA provide a transcript?
No.
The Open University does not hold transcript or module information for CNAA awards. Therefore, it cannot normally confirm:
- individual modules;
- module marks;
- component grades;
- study mode;
- detailed attendance dates; or
- incomplete study.
In addition, the University of Staffordshire states that it cannot provide transcripts, attendance dates or award verification for pre-1993 Polytechnic awards.
Therefore, some historic module information may no longer be available.
Route 2: Direct Open University awards through HEDD
The HEDD entry for North Staffordshire Polytechnic names The Open University as the current verification organisation.
However, the page contains several separate OU routes.
A completed award issued directly by The Open University must normally be verified by a third party through HEDD. The Open University does not accept these third-party requests by ordinary email.
Open University consent form
The candidate must use the official Open University consent form.
Another consent template may lead to the request being returned.
Where the enquirer needs additional information, such as:
- mode of study;
- delivery method;
- campus;
- or another specific detail,
the candidate should include that request under the “Other” section of the OU form.
The signed form must be uploaded as a:
- PDF;
- JPG;
- PNG; or
- TIF file.
HEDD fee and processing time
HEDD currently lists a £14 enquiry fee for North Staffordshire Polytechnic.
The Open University advises applicants to allow 10 working days for a completed OU award verification.
However, this route applies to direct OU awards.
It should not replace the separate CNAA or OU Validated Partnerships process.
Route 3: OU Validated Partnership awards
A certificate may show that the student completed an Open University-validated programme through a partner institution.
This is different from:
- studying directly with The Open University; and
- holding a CNAA award.
The Open University’s Validation Partnerships team verifies OU-validated awards.
The current third-party fee is £60, and the service may take up to seven working days after receipt of the signed authorisation form.
The Open University cannot normally verify transcript information for these awards.
Therefore, the former teaching institution may need to provide any surviving module or attendance details.
Route 4: BTEC, HNC and HND awards
Not every North Staffordshire Polytechnic qualification was a degree.
The certificate may instead relate to:
- an HNC;
- an HND;
- a BTEC qualification;
- a technical diploma;
- a professional certificate; or
- another vocational award.
The University of Staffordshire directs pre-1993 BTEC, HNC and HND replacement requests to Pearson or Edexcel.
Therefore, applicants should not describe an HNC or HND as a CNAA degree unless the certificate clearly supports that description.
What can the University of Staffordshire provide?
The University of Staffordshire is the institutional successor to North Staffordshire Polytechnic.
However, its current guidance states that it cannot provide:
- award documents;
- transcripts;
- dates of attendance; or
- award verification
for pre-1993 Polytechnic awards.
As a result, the University directs applicants to:
- The Open University for CNAA awards; or
- Pearson or Edexcel for relevant BTEC qualifications.
This means the current University should not automatically be treated as the formal verifier of a 1970–1988 Polytechnic degree.
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;
- classification or grade;
- 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;
- a later change of surname;
- an incorrect award year;
- a shortened course title;
- confusion between the Polytechnic and the University;
- confusion between CNAA and The Open University; or
- an incorrect awarding body.
Therefore, we use the exact wording shown on the academic document.
Verification and solicitor certification
Academic verification and solicitor certification perform different roles.
Academic verification
The Open University, Pearson or another awarding body checks the underlying qualification 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 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, The Open University or another body issued the original certificate.
For stronger evidence, Ginkgo Advisory can provide enhanced solicitor certification.
The process may include:
- CNAA, OU or awarding-body verification;
- review of the original certificate;
- review of a verification letter or pro forma;
- confirmation of the correct awarding body;
- comparison of the award details;
- identity and name checks;
- authenticity confirmation; and
- solicitor certification.
Therefore, enhanced certification can connect the historic certificate with an independent award record.
However, our solicitor will only confirm authenticity where reliable evidence supports that conclusion.
FCDO apostille
A North Staffordshire Polytechnic 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 CNAA pro forma;
- a certified verification letter;
- an Open University document;
- a Pearson document;
- a certified transcript, where available; 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;
- independent award verification;
- an official letter;
- a replacement document; or
- a combined evidence pack.
What does the apostille confirm?
An apostille does not verify 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 route may follow this order:
award verification → authenticity review → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille
Each stage provides a different form of assurance.
Two-working-day express apostille
Ginkgo Advisory offers a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible documents.
However, this period only covers the FCDO stage.
It begins after:
- we identify the correct awarding body;
- the required academic 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:
- CNAA verification;
- HEDD processing;
- OU Validated Partnerships processing;
- Pearson verification;
- 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
- further local processing after arrival.
However, each embassy sets its own requirements.
For example, it may request:
- the original certificate;
- a solicitor-certified copy;
- CNAA verification;
- an Open University letter;
- a certificate-style pro forma;
- 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 Polytechnic;
- 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:
- CNAA verification;
- direct OU verification through HEDD;
- OU Validated Partnerships verification;
- Pearson or Edexcel verification;
- another awarding body; or
- more than one source.
Step 3: Candidate consent
The graduate signs the correct consent or authorisation form.
We do not use the standard OU HEDD consent form for a CNAA case unless the relevant service specifically requests it.
Step 4: Award verification
We submit the request using the exact details shown on the certificate.
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.
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 delivery service.
Frequently asked questions
Is a North Staffordshire Polytechnic degree still valid?
Yes.
A later institutional name change does not invalidate the qualification.
However, the graduate may need current verification from CNAA’s record holder or another awarding body.
What did North Staffordshire Polytechnic become?
It became Staffordshire Polytechnic in 1988.
Later, it became Staffordshire University in 1992 and University of Staffordshire in 2024.
Who verifies a North Staffordshire Polytechnic degree?
The Open University normally verifies it where CNAA awarded the degree.
Most North Staffordshire Polytechnic degrees and PGCEs were CNAA awards.
Can I verify the degree through HEDD?
Only where the qualification follows the direct OU HEDD route.
A CNAA award requires the separate Open University Validation Partnerships service.
Which consent form should I use?
For a direct OU HEDD enquiry, use the official Open University consent form.
For a CNAA or OU Validated Partnerships enquiry, use the authorisation form required by the OU aftercare service.
How much does HEDD verification cost?
HEDD currently lists a £14 enquiry fee.
How long does direct OU HEDD verification take?
The Open University advises applicants to allow 10 working days.
How much does CNAA verification cost?
The current fee is £60.
How long does CNAA verification take?
The Open University advises applicants to allow up to seven working days.
Can CNAA provide a transcript?
No.
The Open University does not hold transcript information for CNAA awards.
Can the University of Staffordshire provide my transcript?
Not for a pre-1993 Polytechnic award.
The University states that it cannot provide transcripts, attendance dates or award verification for those qualifications.
Who verifies an old HNC or HND?
Pearson or Edexcel may hold the relevant record where it awarded the qualification.
Is award verification the same as solicitor certification?
No.
Award 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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