Queen Mary and Westfield College Degree Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Queen Mary and Westfield College degree verification and apostille services for graduates using their qualifications overseas.

Our service can include:

• HEDD degree verification;
• enhanced solicitor certification;
• authenticity confirmation;
• FCDO apostille;
• a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
• embassy legalisation where required.

Queen Mary and Westfield College was formed when Queen Mary College and Westfield College merged in 1989. Queen Mary University of London now manages verification of its former qualifications.

Who verifies the qualification?

Queen Mary University of London verifies Queen Mary and Westfield College qualifications exclusively through HEDD for third-party enquiries.

HEDD can confirm:

• current or former student status;
• course and qualification;
• award year;
• grade or classification; and
• attendance dates.

The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14. A matching record may be verified automatically. However, a manual Queen Mary review can take up to 10 working days.

Candidate consent

Queen Mary only accepts the official HEDD consent form.

The form may carry:

• a handwritten signature;
• an Adobe Sign or DocuSign signature; or
• a freehand digital signature.

However, Queen Mary does not accept a typed name as a signature.

The signed consent can be uploaded as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF file.

Results embargo periods

Queen Mary operates results embargo periods during parts of the academic year.

During an embargo, the University may be unable to confirm certain results until it officially releases them. Transcript requests for finalists may also be delayed or refunded until the embargo ends.

Information required

We normally request:

• the front and back of the certificate;
• any available transcript;
• the graduate’s passport;
• full name used during study;
• any previous name;
• date of birth;
• student number, if known;
• course and qualification titles;
• award year and classification;
• attendance dates;
• signed HEDD consent; and
• the intended country of use.

Using the exact information shown on the certificate improves the chance of an automatic match.

MBBS Medicine exception

The standard HEDD service does not cover undergraduate Medicine or MBBS verification.

MBBS graduates must use Queen Mary’s separate medical transcript and verification service.

Current options include:

• digital scanned transcript: £5;
• verification letter: £10;
• UK transcript: £10;
• overseas transcript: £15; and
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation: £20.

Standard MBBS transcript requests usually take up to 14 working days. Archive searches and non-standard documents may take longer.

MBBS contact: smd-mbbs-transcripts@qmul.ac.uk

Transcripts and official letters

Queen Mary graduates can order additional academic documents.

Current options include:

• digital award letter: £5;
• digital transcript: £5;
• digital graduate pack: £10;
• stamped and sealed award letter: £10;
• stamped and sealed transcript: £10; and
• graduate pack containing both documents: £20.

Standard processing normally takes around 10 working days.

An award letter can confirm:

• course title;
• field of study;
• study dates;
• qualification and classification;
• award date; and
• awarding body.

A transcript also lists the modules and results recorded during the programme.

Replacement degree certificates

Queen Mary states that awards made before 2014 normally had the University of London as the awarding body.

Therefore, a Queen Mary and Westfield College graduate who needs a replacement degree certificate should usually apply to the University of London rather than Queen Mary.

Only one valid degree certificate may remain in circulation. A replacement is normally available only where the original has been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Enhanced solicitor certification

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

Enhanced solicitor certification can also incorporate independent academic evidence.

Depending on the case, our solicitor may:

1. obtain HEDD verification;
2. review the original certificate;
3. compare a Queen Mary transcript or award letter;
4. confirm the awarding body;
5. check the graduate’s identity; and
6. certify the document using wording supported by the evidence.

We only confirm authenticity where reliable verification supports that conclusion.

FCDO apostille

After verification and solicitor certification, the document can normally proceed to the FCDO for an apostille.

The usual route is:

HEDD verification → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

An apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not independently verify the academic record.

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

However, this period covers the FCDO stage only. It does not include:

• HEDD processing;
• university document production;
• solicitor verification enquiries;
• embassy legalisation; or
• delivery.

Embassy legalisation

Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO stage.

The receiving authority may request:

• the original certificate;
• a solicitor-certified copy;
• HEDD verification;
• an official transcript;
• an award letter;
• a certified translation; or
• specific certification wording.

Therefore, we check the destination requirements before preparing the documents.

Our process

1. Review the certificate and identify the awarding body.
2. Obtain the official signed HEDD consent form.
3. Submit the HEDD verification request.
4. Obtain additional Queen Mary documents where useful.
5. Complete enhanced solicitor certification where supported.
6. Arrange the FCDO apostille.
7. Complete embassy legalisation where required.
8. Return the completed documents.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Queen Mary and Westfield College degree still valid?

Yes. The use of the current Queen Mary University of London name does not invalidate a recognised former qualification.

How much does HEDD verification cost?

The current fee is £14.

Can the consent form be digitally signed?

Yes. Queen Mary accepts verifiable digital signatures and freehand digital signatures. However, it does not accept typed signatures.

How long does verification take?

A matching record may produce a quick result. A manual University review may take up to 10 working days.

Can HEDD verify an MBBS degree?

No. MBBS graduates must use Queen Mary’s separate medical verification service.

Can I obtain a transcript?

Yes. A stamped and sealed Queen Mary transcript currently costs £10.

Who issues a replacement certificate?

For an award made before 2014, the University of London normally handles replacement degree certificates.

Does an apostille verify the degree?

No. It authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

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

Yes, once verification and solicitor certification are complete and the document is ready for FCDO submission.