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 Royal Central School of Speech and Drama degree verification and apostille services for graduates using their academic documents overseas.
Our service can include:
- HEDD degree verification;
- enhanced solicitor certification;
- authenticity confirmation;
- FCDO paper apostille or e-Apostille;
- a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
- embassy legalisation where required.
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, commonly called Central, is a member of the University of London federation. It formally joined the University in September 2005.
Who verifies a Central degree?
Third-party enquirers must use HEDD to verify eligible Royal Central School qualifications.
Central is an exclusive HEDD partner. The verification can check:
- current or former student status;
- the qualification awarded;
- the grade or classification; and
- attendance dates.
The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14.
HEDD serves employers, screening agencies, solicitors, regulators and other authorised organisations. Graduates seeking documents for their own use should normally request an official academic record from Central.
Strict consent requirements
Central requires a consent form that:
- carries the candidate’s handwritten signature;
- is dated within the previous three months; and
- is uploaded as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF file.
Therefore, an old, typed or unsigned consent form may delay verification.
Information required
We normally request:
- the front and back of the certificate;
- any available academic transcript;
- the candidate’s passport;
- full name used during study;
- any former name;
- date of birth;
- student number, if known;
- course and qualification titles;
- award year and classification;
- attendance dates;
- valid signed consent; and
- the intended country of use.
Exact information improves the chance of a successful HEDD match.
University of London relationship
Central is a specialist conservatoire for drama, theatre and performance. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, research and short-course programmes.
However, a short course or certificate of attendance should not automatically be described as a degree.
Applicants should check:
- the exact award title;
- the awarding institution shown on the certificate;
- whether the document is a degree, diploma or certificate; and
- whether HEDD covers the qualification.
Current Central degree courses lead to University of London degree qualifications.
Transcripts and qualification documents
Central alumni can request proof of their qualifications through its Academic Records Office.
The School’s verification document can include:
- study dates;
- course details;
- units and marks;
- final award; and
- classification.
For transcripts, certificates and related academic records, former students can contact:
Availability and processing requirements may depend on the qualification and award year.
Enhanced solicitor certification
A basic certified true copy confirms that the copy matches the original document shown to the solicitor.
However, it does not by itself confirm that Central issued the qualification.
Enhanced solicitor certification can also use independent academic evidence. Depending on the case, our solicitor may:
- obtain HEDD verification;
- review the original certificate;
- compare an official transcript or award record;
- confirm the qualification details;
- check the graduate’s identity and former names; and
- 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
The FCDO checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its official records. It does not independently verify the academic record. Qualification certificates and certified copies can be legalised after suitable certification by a UK solicitor or notary.
Ginkgo Advisory offers a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible and correctly prepared documents.
However, this period covers the FCDO stage only. It does not include:
- HEDD processing;
- transcript or certificate production;
- solicitor verification enquiries;
- embassy legalisation; or
- delivery.
Both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles are available. An e-Apostille requires an eligible PDF electronically signed by a UK solicitor or notary.
Embassy legalisation
Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the UK authentication stage.
For a non-Hague destination, the process may involve:
- FCDO legalisation;
- legalisation by the destination country’s embassy in London; and
- approval by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the destination country.
The overseas authority may request:
- the original certificate;
- a solicitor-certified copy;
- HEDD verification;
- an official transcript;
- an award confirmation document;
- a certified translation; or
- specific certification wording.
Therefore, we check the destination requirements before preparing the documents.
Our process
- Review the certificate and overseas requirements.
- Obtain a hand-signed consent form dated within three months.
- Submit the HEDD verification request.
- Review supporting Central records where available.
- Complete enhanced solicitor certification where supported.
- Arrange the FCDO apostille.
- Complete embassy legalisation where required.
- Return the completed documents.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Royal Central School recognised?
Yes. HEDD lists the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama as a recognised UK institution that currently gives degree awards.
Is Central part of the University of London?
Yes. Central joined the University of London federation in September 2005.
Who verifies a Central degree?
Third-party enquirers must use HEDD. Central is an exclusive HEDD verification partner.
How much does HEDD verification cost?
The current enquiry fee is £14.
Can the consent form be digitally signed?
The published HEDD requirement specifies a hand-signed form dated within the previous three months.
Can I obtain a transcript?
Yes. Central’s Academic Records Office handles requests for transcripts and qualification evidence.
Does HEDD verify short courses?
Not necessarily. Applicants should confirm that the document represents an eligible academic award rather than a short course or certificate of attendance.
Does an apostille verify the degree?
No. It authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. Academic verification remains a separate stage.
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.
Contact Ginkgo Advisory
To request a quote, please send:
- the front and back of the certificate;
- any available transcript;
- the intended country of use; and
- the receiving authority’s instructions.
Contact Us
Address
Suite 161, 30 Red Lion Street, London, TW9 1RB, England