Scotland’s Rural College Degree Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Scotland’s Rural College degree verification and apostille services for graduates using their qualifications overseas.

Our service can include:

• direct SRUC 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.

Scotland’s Rural College, commonly known as SRUC, gained taught degree-awarding powers on 14 October 2024. It can now award its own taught degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Who verifies an SRUC qualification?

SRUC qualifications cannot currently be verified through HEDD.

Instead, the graduate or an authorised third party should contact SRUC directly. Verification may confirm:

• whether the candidate studied at SRUC;
• the qualification awarded;
• the classification or result; and
• attendance dates.

The practical starting point is SRUC Registry:

Email: Registry@sruc.ac.uk
General telephone: +44 (0)131 535 4000

A third-party request should include the graduate’s signed consent.

Check the awarding body

The correct verifier depends on the qualification and award date.

Although SRUC gained taught degree-awarding powers in 2024, many earlier programmes were awarded by partner universities.

The certificate may name:

• Scotland’s Rural College;
• the University of Edinburgh;
• the University of Glasgow;
• another university;
• SQA; or
• another professional awarding body.

For example, SRUC continues to deliver some postgraduate programmes awarded by the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Therefore, the institution printed on the certificate may control:

• formal award verification;
• replacement certificates;
• academic transcripts; and
• official award letters.

Candidate consent

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

The consent should normally include:

• the graduate’s full name;
• any former name;
• date of birth;
• student number, if known;
• course and qualification;
• attendance dates;
• the authorised third party;
• the information SRUC may release;
• the graduate’s signature; and
• the date.

SRUC 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;
• 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 consent; and
• the intended country of use.

The certificate is essential because it identifies the correct awarding institution.

Transcripts and replacement certificates

SRUC currently lists the following charges:

• additional or replacement award certificate: £25; and
• interim or replacement academic transcript: £25.

Applicants can contact:

RegistryFunding@sruc.ac.uk

However, SRUC can only replace or issue documents for awards within its responsibility.

Where the University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow or another body awarded the qualification, the graduate may need to contact that institution instead.

HNC, HND and other Scottish vocational qualifications may follow the SQA document route rather than the university-degree 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 SRUC or a partner university 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 SRUC or university verification;
3. review the original certificate;
4. compare an official transcript or award 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 academic 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 FCDO authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not independently verify the underlying 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:

• SRUC or partner-university verification;
• transcript or certificate production;
• solicitor enquiries;
• embassy legalisation; or
• delivery.

Paper apostilles and e-Apostilles are available. The receiving authority must accept the chosen format.

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;
• direct 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 body.
2. Obtain the graduate’s signed consent.
3. Request verification from SRUC or the correct university.
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 an SRUC degree through HEDD?

No. HEDD directs applicants to contact Scotland’s Rural College directly.

Does SRUC award its own degrees?

Yes. SRUC gained taught degree-awarding powers in October 2024. However, it does not currently hold research degree-awarding powers.

Who verifies an older SRUC degree?

The institution named on the certificate may be the correct verifier. Older awards may belong to the University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow or another awarding organisation.

Can I obtain a replacement certificate?

Possibly. SRUC currently charges £25 for an eligible replacement award certificate.

Can I obtain a transcript?

Possibly. An eligible interim or replacement SRUC transcript currently costs £25.

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