Shetland College UHI Degree Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Shetland College 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.

Shetland College UHI merged with the NAFC Marine Centre UHI and Train Shetland on 1 August 2021. The current institution is called UHI Shetland. It remains an academic partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Who verifies the qualification?

Shetland College UHI qualifications cannot be verified online through HEDD.

Instead, an employer, solicitor 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 verification may confirm:

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

The current central contact is:

UHI Student Records Office
Email: SRO@uhi.ac.uk

Check the awarding body

The correct verifier depends on the award date and the institution named on the certificate.

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

However, an older Shetland College certificate may name:

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

Therefore, we check the certificate before selecting the verification and replacement-document route.

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 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 names and dates help UHI locate the correct historic record.

Transcripts and replacement certificates

UHI provides additional transcripts for eligible undergraduate and taught postgraduate degrees.

A standard paper transcript currently costs £5. Electronic copies are available on request without charge. Overseas paper delivery currently carries an additional £8.50 postal fee.

A transcript may include:

• modules studied;
• assessment results;
• academic credits;
• the final award; and
• the degree classification.

However, detailed module information may not remain available for every older award.

An eligible replacement UHI certificate currently costs £35, plus £8.50 for delivery outside the UK. Graduates must request the application form from the Student Records Office.

Where another university awarded the original qualification, that institution may control the replacement-certificate process.

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 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

An 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 and correctly prepared documents.

However, this period covers the FCDO stage only. It does not include:

• UHI or awarding-body 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 UHI or the correct institution.
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

What is Shetland College UHI called now?

It is now part of UHI Shetland, which was established on 1 August 2021.

Can I verify the qualification through HEDD?

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

Who should receive the verification request?

UHI’s Student Records Office handles central student-record enquiries.

Email: SRO@uhi.ac.uk

Who verifies an older qualification?

The institution named on the certificate may be the correct verifier. Older awards may belong to UHI Millennium Institute, The Open University, Aberdeen, Strathclyde or another awarding body.

Can I obtain a transcript?

Yes, for an eligible UHI degree. A standard paper transcript currently costs £5, while an electronic copy can be requested without charge.

Can I obtain a replacement certificate?

Possibly. An eligible replacement UHI certificate currently costs £35, excluding overseas postage.

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 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.