Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI Degree Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI degree verification and apostille services for graduates using their qualifications overseas.

Our service can include:

• direct UHI degree verification;
• historic awarding-body checks;
• enhanced solicitor certification;
• authenticity confirmation;
• FCDO paper apostille or e-Apostille;
• a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
• embassy legalisation where required.

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is an academic partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands. Based on the Isle of Skye, it specialises in Gaelic-medium higher and further education.

Who verifies the qualification?

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig qualifications cannot be verified online through HEDD.

Instead, a solicitor, employer or other authorised third party must contact the University of the Highlands and Islands directly. The request should normally be made on professional headed paper and include the graduate’s consent.

UHI’s Student Records Office maintains the University’s central records and issues taught undergraduate and postgraduate degree certificates and transcripts.

Current contact: sro@uhi.ac.uk

Verification may confirm:

• whether the candidate studied at the institution;
• the qualification awarded;
• the grade or classification; and
• attendance dates.

Check the awarding body

UHI gained taught degree-awarding powers in 2008. Since February 2011, taught degrees have carried the University of the Highlands and Islands name rather than the former UHI Millennium Institute name.

However, an older Sabhal Mòr Ostaig certificate may name:

• the Open University;
• the University of Aberdeen;
• the University of Strathclyde;
• UHI Millennium Institute;
• SQA; or
• another awarding organisation.

Therefore, we review the certificate before selecting the verification route.

Candidate consent

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

The consent should normally include:

• the graduate’s full name;
• any former name;
• date of birth;
• student number, if known;
• course and qualification;
• study dates;
• the authorised organisation;
• the information that may be released;
• the graduate’s signature; and
• the date.

UHI should confirm any additional consent requirements before submission.

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 former 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.

Exact details help UHI locate the correct record.

Transcripts and replacement certificates

UHI provides additional transcripts for eligible undergraduate and taught postgraduate degree programmes.

A transcript can show:

• modules studied;
• assessment results and grades;
• credits achieved;
• the final degree; and
• the degree classification.

The current fee is £5 per paper copy. UHI also supplies an electronic copy and normally asks applicants to allow at least seven working days.

UHI retains detailed module-achievement data for up to ten years after the student leaves. It may still confirm an older final award even where it cannot produce a full transcript.

An eligible replacement degree certificate currently costs £35, plus overseas postage where applicable. HNC, HND and other non-degree replacement certificates normally follow the relevant SQA route.

Enhanced solicitor certification

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

However, it does not independently prove that UHI or another institution issued the qualification.

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

1. identify the correct awarding institution;
2. obtain UHI or awarding-body verification;
3. review the original certificate;
4. compare an official transcript or confirmation letter;
5. check the graduate’s identity and former names; 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, an eligible document can normally proceed to the FCDO for an apostille.

The usual route is:

academic 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 academic qualification.

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:

• UHI or awarding-body verification;
• transcript or certificate production;
• historic record searches;
• solicitor enquiries;
• embassy legalisation; or
• delivery.

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 involve:

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

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 UHI or the correct awarding body.
4. Compare the response 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 a Sabhal Mòr Ostaig degree through HEDD?

No. HEDD directs applicants to contact the University of the Highlands and Islands directly.

Who should receive the verification request?

UHI’s Student Records Office maintains central university records.

Email: sro@uhi.ac.uk

Is Sabhal Mòr Ostaig part of UHI?

Yes. It is an academic partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Who awarded an older qualification?

The certificate may name UHI, the Open University, Aberdeen, Strathclyde or another awarding body. The document should guide the verification route.

Can I obtain a transcript?

Yes, for an eligible UHI undergraduate or taught postgraduate degree. A standard paper transcript currently costs £5.

Can I obtain a replacement certificate?

Possibly. An eligible UHI replacement degree certificate currently costs £35.

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