Royal College of Music Degree Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Royal College of Music degree verification and apostille services for graduates using their qualifications 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 College of Music, commonly called RCM, is a recognised UK institution that awards its own degrees and other academic qualifications.

Who verifies an RCM degree?

Third-party enquirers can verify Royal College of Music qualifications through HEDD.

The verification can check:

• whether the candidate was a student;
• the qualification awarded;
• the grade or classification; and
• attendance dates.

The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14.

The candidate must provide a signed consent form. The enquirer can upload it as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF file.

Correct Registry contact

The HEDD entry currently displays a practice-room-bookings email address. However, RCM’s official alumni guidance directs academic and qualification enquiries to:

Email: registry@rcm.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7591 4310
Address: Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BS

Therefore, graduates seeking transcripts, replacement certificates or confirmation of previous study should contact Registry rather than the practice-room team.

Information required

We normally request:

• the front and back of the certificate;
• any available transcript;
• the graduate’s passport;
• the 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;
• signed candidate consent; and
• the intended country of use.

Exact academic details improve the chance of a successful verification match.

Check the qualification type

The Royal College of Music offers degrees and other qualifications.

Therefore, applicants should check whether the document is a:

• Bachelor of Music degree;
• Master of Music degree;
• Master of Performance degree;
• Master of Composition degree;
• research degree;
• Artist Diploma;
• Graduate Diploma;
• professional diploma; or
• other RCM award.

The verification and legalisation route may depend on the exact qualification shown on the certificate. RCM currently offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research-level degree programmes.

Transcripts and replacement certificates

RCM Registry can provide documentary evidence of a former student’s studies.

Current charges are:

• replacement certificate with up to four transcripts: £25;
• one replacement transcript: £10; and
• each additional transcript: £2.

RCM sends replacement certificates by recorded delivery unless the graduate arranges collection.

Registry can also provide a Confirmation of Studies letter containing details of the former student’s studies at RCM.

Enhanced solicitor certification

A standard certified true copy confirms that the copy matches the original document shown to the solicitor.

However, it does not by itself prove that RCM issued the qualification.

Enhanced solicitor certification can incorporate independent academic evidence. Depending on the case, our solicitor may:

1. obtain HEDD verification;
2. review the original certificate;
3. compare an official RCM transcript or confirmation letter;
4. check the graduate’s identity and former names;
5. confirm the qualification details; 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 → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

The Legalisation Office checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its records. It does not independently verify the graduate’s academic record.

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;
• Registry enquiries;
• 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 FCDO stage.

For a non-Hague destination, the process may include:

1. FCDO legalisation;
2. legalisation by the destination country’s embassy in London; and
3. approval by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the destination country.

The receiving authority may request:

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

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

Our process

1. Review the certificate and destination requirements.
2. Obtain the graduate’s signed consent.
3. Submit the HEDD verification request.
4. Obtain supporting RCM 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 the Royal College of Music recognised?

Yes. HEDD lists RCM as a recognised UK institution that currently awards degrees.

Who verifies an RCM degree?

Third-party enquirers can verify it through HEDD.

How much does HEDD verification cost?

The current enquiry fee is £14.

Do I need candidate consent?

Yes. HEDD requires a consent form signed by the candidate.

Which Registry email should I use?

Use registry@rcm.ac.uk for former-student academic and qualification enquiries.

Can I obtain a replacement certificate?

Yes. The current charge is £25 and includes up to four transcripts requested at the same time.

Can I obtain a transcript?

Yes. A replacement transcript currently costs £10, with additional copies at £2 each.

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.