Somerville College Oxford Degree Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Somerville College Oxford degree verification and apostille services for graduates and current students using their academic documents overseas.

Our service can include:

• University of Oxford HEDD verification;
• direct Oxford verification;
• enhanced solicitor certification;
• authenticity confirmation;
• FCDO paper apostille or e-Apostille;
• a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
• embassy legalisation where required.

Somerville College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. Therefore, the University of Oxford, rather than Somerville College, awards and verifies the degree.

Who verifies a Somerville College degree?

Third-party enquirers can verify the qualification through HEDD under the University of Oxford.

HEDD can check:

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

The current HEDD enquiry fee is £47.

Strict HEDD consent requirements

The candidate must use the University of Oxford Consent to Disclosure form.

For a HEDD request, the form must:

• name HEDD;
• name Ginkgo Advisory or the organisation submitting the request;
• carry a genuine wet-ink signature; and
• be uploaded as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF file.

Oxford does not accept typed signatures, handwriting fonts, pasted signature images or non-verifiable electronic signatures for the HEDD route.

For a current student, the enquiry should also state:

• the start year; and
• the expected end year.

Direct Oxford verification

The University of Oxford also offers a direct third-party verification service.

Commercial organisations currently pay £30 per request. However, Oxford waives this fee for solicitors, notaries, higher-education institutions and government bodies. Oxford asks commercial applicants to allow up to 21 working days.

For this direct route, consent must:

• name the organisation making the request;
• include the candidate’s name and signature; and
• be dated within the previous 12 months.

Ginkgo Advisory can assess whether HEDD or direct solicitor verification better suits the receiving authority.

Information required

We normally request:

• the front and back of the degree certificate;
• any available transcript;
• the candidate’s passport;
• full name used during study;
• any former name;
• date of birth;
• Somerville College as the college;
• course and qualification titles;
• graduation year and classification;
• attendance dates;
• student number, if known;
• valid candidate consent; and
• the intended country of use.

Accurate names and dates improve the chance of a successful Oxford record match.

Short and external courses

Oxford cannot verify every course through HEDD.

In particular, some short or external programmes, including Executive Leadership Programmes, fall outside the HEDD degree-verification route.

Therefore, applicants should first confirm whether the document represents:

• a formal University of Oxford degree;
• a short course;
• an executive programme;
• Oxford Lifelong Learning;
• a summer programme; or
• a certificate of attendance.

A short-course certificate should not automatically be described as an Oxford degree.

Oxford transcripts and eDocuments

Eligible students and alumni can access electronic academic documents through Oxford’s eDocuments service.

Available documents may include:

• degree certificates;
• Degree Confirmation Letters;
• academic transcripts;
• on-course transcripts; and
• diploma supplements.

The current one-off registration fee is £17. The service also allows secure sharing and real-time verification through document QR codes.

However, an eDocument does not automatically replace HEDD verification, solicitor certification or an apostille. The overseas receiving authority decides which format it accepts.

Replacement degree certificates

Oxford currently charges £55 for a replacement paper degree certificate. A degree certificate can only be issued after the University has formally conferred the degree at a ceremony, either in person or in absence.

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 Oxford issued the original certificate.

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

1. obtain HEDD or direct Oxford verification;
2. review the original degree certificate;
3. compare an Oxford transcript or Degree Confirmation Letter;
4. confirm Somerville College and the Oxford course;
5. check the candidate’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 Oxford document can normally proceed to the FCDO for an apostille.

The usual route is:

Oxford verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not independently verify the University’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 or direct Oxford verification;
• transcript or certificate production;
• solicitor verification enquiries;
• embassy legalisation; or
• delivery.

Embassy legalisation

Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO stage.

The overseas authority may request:

• the original Oxford certificate;
• a solicitor-certified copy;
• HEDD verification;
• an official transcript;
• a Degree 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 overseas instructions.
2. Obtain the correct Oxford consent form.
3. Submit the HEDD or direct Oxford request.
4. Review supporting academic documents.
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 a Somerville College degree awarded by Somerville?

No. Somerville is the student’s constituent college, while the University of Oxford awards the degree.

Who verifies the degree?

The University of Oxford verifies it through HEDD or its direct verification service.

How much does HEDD verification cost?

The current HEDD fee is £47.

Can the HEDD consent form be digitally signed?

No. The HEDD route requires a genuine wet-ink signature. Typed, pasted and non-verifiable electronic signatures are not accepted.

Can Oxford verify a current student?

Yes. The enquiry should include the start year and expected end year.

Can HEDD verify an Oxford executive course?

Not always. Some short and external programmes fall outside the HEDD route.

Can I obtain an Oxford transcript online?

Eligible students and alumni can access transcripts and other documents through eDocuments for a one-off £17 fee.

Can I obtain a replacement degree certificate?

Yes. Oxford currently charges £55 for an eligible replacement certificate.

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 Oxford 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 or Degree Confirmation Letter;
• the intended country of use; and
• the receiving authority’s instructions.