Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Degree Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Royal Conservatoire of Scotland degree verification and apostille services for graduates using their qualifications overseas.

Our service can include:

• direct RCS verification;
• University of Glasgow verification for older awards;
• enhanced solicitor certification;
• authenticity confirmation;
• FCDO apostille;
• a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
• embassy legalisation where required.

The institution used the name Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, or RSAMD, until 2011. It then became the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Who verifies the qualification?

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland qualifications cannot currently be verified online through HEDD.

Instead, the graduate or an authorised third party must contact the Conservatoire directly and provide candidate consent. Verification may confirm:

• former student status;
• the qualification awarded;
• the grade or classification; and
• attendance dates.

The current verification fee is not published on HEDD.

Awards from 1993 onwards

The Conservatoire gained its own degree-awarding powers in 1993. Therefore, RCS normally verifies degrees that it awarded under either of these names:

• Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama; or
• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

The name change does not affect the validity of an earlier RSAMD qualification.

Awards before 1993

Before 1993, the University of Glasgow validated the Conservatoire’s degree programmes. Therefore, the correct verification route may involve the University of Glasgow where it appears as the awarding institution.

The University of Glasgow requires third-party degree-verification requests through HEDD. Its service can confirm the award, classification and attendance dates where the record is available.

Consequently, we always check the certificate before submitting a request.

Candidate consent

A third-party verification request requires the graduate’s signed consent.

The consent should include:

• the graduate’s full name;
• any former name;
• date of birth;
• course and qualification;
• study dates;
• the authorised third party;
• the information that may be released;
• the graduate’s signature; and
• the date.

The exact consent format depends on whether the request goes to RCS or the University of Glasgow.

Information required

We normally request:

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

The certificate is important because it identifies the correct awarding body.

Transcripts and replacement documents

RCS’s Academic Administration and Support team manages student records and academic administration. Former students should contact the Conservatoire directly about transcripts, award confirmation and replacement certificates.

For a pre-1993 University of Glasgow award, document availability may depend on the graduation date.

The University of Glasgow cannot issue transcripts for courses completed before 1989. Instead, it may provide a certifying letter confirming the award and graduation date.

For study completed between 1989 and 2011, transcript availability depends on the records retained. Former-student document requests may take up to 15 working days.

Enhanced solicitor certification

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

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

1. identify the correct awarding institution;
2. obtain RCS or University of Glasgow verification;
3. review the original certificate;
4. compare a transcript or confirmation letter;
5. check the graduate’s identity;
6. confirm the former and current institution names; and
7. certify the document using wording supported by the evidence.

We only confirm authenticity where reliable verification supports that conclusion.

FCDO apostille

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

The usual route is:

academic verification → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

The 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:

• RCS or Glasgow verification;
• historic record searches;
• transcript or certificate production;
• solicitor 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;
• academic verification;
• an official transcript;
• an award confirmation 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 institution.
2. Obtain the graduate’s signed consent.
3. Request verification from RCS or the University of Glasgow.
4. Compare the result with the certificate and identification.
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

Can I verify an RCS degree through HEDD?

Not directly under the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland listing. The Conservatoire asks applicants to contact it directly.

Who verifies a pre-1993 degree?

The University of Glasgow may be the correct verifier where it validated and awarded the degree. Glasgow uses HEDD for third-party degree verification.

What was RCS previously called?

It was known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama until 2011.

Can I obtain an old transcript?

Possibly. RCS should be contacted for its own records. For a University of Glasgow award completed before 1989, Glasgow can provide a certifying letter but not a transcript.

Does an apostille verify the qualification?

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 graduation year;
• the intended country of use; and
• the receiving authority’s instructions.