Southampton Institute of Higher Education Degree Verification and Apostille

Southampton Institute of Higher Education qualifications can usually be verified through HEDD before solicitor certification and legalisation.

Ginkgo Advisory can assist with HEDD verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille and embassy legalisation. A 2 working day express FCDO apostille option is available for suitable documents once verification and certification are complete.

Quick answer

Southampton Institute of Higher Education was a UK government-recognised body that gave awards between 1984 and 2005.

Southampton Solent University now verifies these qualifications. It became a university in 2005 and changed its name back from Solent University to Southampton Solent University on 24 September 2024.

The usual document route is:

HEDD verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → embassy legalisation where required

HEDD degree verification

Southampton Solent University is an exclusive HEDD partner. Employers, screening agencies and other third-party enquirers must submit degree verification requests through HEDD.

HEDD can check:

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

The candidate must provide a signed consent form in PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF format. Digital signatures are accepted.

HEDD currently charges £14 per degree enquiry.

Southampton Solent University cannot verify dates of birth for candidates who graduated before 1998. However, it may still verify their award and attendance information.

Which institution name should be used?

Use the name shown on the academic document.

A certificate issued between 1984 and 2005 may display:

• Southampton Institute of Higher Education;
• Southampton Institute;
• CNAA;
• Nottingham Trent University;
• BTEC or Edexcel;
• City & Guilds; or
• another awarding body.

The institution that taught the course may not have legally awarded the qualification. We therefore check the exact certificate wording before starting verification.

Award letters, transcripts and replacement certificates

Southampton Solent University’s Student Hub can issue an award letter confirming attendance dates and the award achieved. The university warns that records from before 2005 may be incomplete.

Replacement routes depend on the awarding body:

• Solent University awards: Southampton Solent University;
• pre-2005 HNC or HND awards: Pearson;
• Nottingham Trent University awards: Nottingham Trent University;
• City & Guilds or Pitman awards: City & Guilds;
• pre-1992 CNAA degrees: the Open University.

Replacement certificates are not available for pre-1992 institute certificates or diplomas. Southampton Solent University may instead provide a confirmation letter when sufficient records remain.

Solicitor verification and certification

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

It does not automatically confirm that:

• the institution issued the document;
• the candidate received the stated award; or
• the qualification appears in official records.

Our enhanced service includes a review of the available verification evidence.

This may include:

• a HEDD verification result;
• an official award letter;
• an academic transcript;
• a replacement certificate; or
• confirmation from the original awarding body.

Where the evidence supports it, the solicitor can provide certification with authenticity confirmation.

FCDO apostille

After academic verification and solicitor certification, the document can proceed to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

An apostille confirms the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not independently verify the academic qualification.

The recommended evidence chain is:

academic verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

Ginkgo Advisory offers a 2 working day express FCDO apostille option for suitable documents.

The timeframe begins after verification and solicitor certification are complete. It excludes HEDD processing, university record searches, awarding-body enquiries, courier delivery and embassy processing.

Embassy legalisation

Documents intended for a country outside the Hague apostille system may require additional embassy or consular legalisation.

A typical route is:

solicitor certification → FCDO legalisation → embassy legalisation

The receiving authority may also request a transcript, official university letter, certified translation or supporting identity documents.

What to send us

Please provide:

• a clear scan of the certificate;
• the transcript, if available;
• the candidate’s name during study;
• the course and qualification;
• attendance dates;
• the award year;
• the student number, if known;
• the destination country;
• the purpose of use; and
• the receiving authority’s instructions.

We will identify the correct verification, certification and legalisation route.

Frequently asked questions

Can HEDD verify a Southampton Institute qualification?

Yes. Southampton Solent University verifies Southampton Institute of Higher Education qualifications through HEDD.

Are digital consent signatures accepted?

Yes. Digital signatures are accepted for HEDD consent forms.

Can HEDD confirm a date of birth?

The university cannot verify dates of birth for candidates who graduated before 1998. It may still confirm the qualification and attendance details.

Can I obtain a replacement certificate?

Possibly. The correct route depends on the awarding body and award date.

Does an apostille verify the degree?

No. HEDD or another official source verifies the academic record. The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

Can Ginkgo Advisory manage the whole process?

Yes. We can coordinate HEDD verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille, embassy legalisation and return delivery.

Start your document verification

Send a clear scan and the receiving authority’s requirements to:

Email: info@ginkgoadvisory.com
WhatsApp: +44 7388 833283