St George’s, University of London Degree Verification, Solicitor Certification, FCDO Apostille and Embassy Legalisation

St George’s, University of London documents may need degree verification, solicitor certification, an FCDO apostille or further legalisation before overseas use.

St George’s, University of London is now part of City St George’s, University of London.

However, former St George’s records use a specific route. Degree verifications for current students and alumni of the former St George’s, University of London should not be submitted through HEDD.

Instead, verification requests should be emailed to Student Systems directly.

Ginkgo Advisory helps clients check the document, prepare candidate consent, coordinate the correct verification route, prepare solicitor certification and submit the document for apostille.

St George’s, University of London verification and apostille route

A typical route follows this sequence:

Direct Student Systems verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → overseas use

Some receiving authorities also ask for embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO apostille.

Therefore, you should check the receiving authority’s rules before starting. Some authorities only ask for the certificate. Others also ask for a transcript, confirmation letter, replacement certificate or professional registration evidence.

Do not use HEDD for former St George’s records

Former St George’s, University of London records are now treated as the Tooting campus route.

For these records, HEDD should not be used.

Instead, third-party verification requests should be emailed to Student Systems.

This is important because City St George’s has different routes for different legacy campuses.

Former City, University of London records may use HEDD. By contrast, former St George’s records use the direct Student Systems route.

City St George’s merger and name changes

City, University of London and St George’s, University of London merged on 1 August 2024.

The new institution is called City St George’s, University of London.

However, the award name depends on the award date.

For legacy St George’s awards:

• Awards before 31 December 2024 use St George’s, University of London
• Awards from 1 January 2025 onwards use City St George’s, University of London

This matters for solicitor certification.

The wording should follow the document, the award date and the verification evidence.

St George’s awards remain valid

St George’s, University of London awards remain valid and recognised.

The merger does not make older St George’s certificates invalid.

However, the verification route has changed because the legal successor institution is now City St George’s, University of London.

As a result, an overseas authority may see one name on the certificate and another name on current records or official pages.

The certification wording should explain this clearly where needed.

Direct verification route

Degree data verification requests for former St George’s records should go directly to Student Systems.

Direct verification can check:

• Whether the candidate was a past student
• The award given
• The grade attained
• Attendance dates

The request should include clear candidate consent and accurate award details.

Candidate consent

Candidate consent is required before verification.

The exact consent format should be checked before submission.

A clear consent document should usually include:

• Candidate full name
• Name used during study
• Date of birth
• Student number, if available
• Course title
• Award title
• Year of award
• Permission to release academic information
• Name of the requesting organisation
• Candidate signature
• Date of consent

For current City St George’s HEDD routes, a hand-signed consent form dated within the last 3 months is required.

For former St George’s direct requests, it is still sensible to prepare recent signed consent before contacting Student Systems.

Contact route

Older HEDD information listed the St George’s contact route as:

Registry
Hunter Wing
Cranmer Terrace
London
SW17 0RE
United Kingdom

Email: studentcentre@sgul.ac.uk

However, current City St George’s guidance points former St George’s and Tooting verification requests to Student Systems.

Therefore, the current Student Systems route should be checked before sending documents.

Transcripts

Former students may need an academic transcript.

A transcript can help when the receiving authority asks for module results, marks, study details, clinical course details or award evidence.

For Tooting campus and former St George’s records, current guidance points transcript and verification matters to the relevant Tooting support route.

Therefore, the transcript route should be checked before the apostille timetable is confirmed.

Replacement certificates

Former St George’s students may need a replacement certificate if the original certificate has been lost or damaged.

Replacement certificate routes exist for St George’s awarded courses.

However, the correct route depends on the award type.

For example, a degree certificate, MBBS-related certificate, postgraduate certificate, diploma or foundation degree may follow a specific document route.

Therefore, the certificate type should be checked before ordering a replacement for overseas use.

Certificates, transcripts and official letters

A degree certificate confirms the award.

A transcript gives more detailed academic information.

An official letter can confirm information such as award, attendance or study status.

These documents do not serve the same purpose.

As a result, the receiving authority’s requirements should be checked before starting.

If the authority asks for both a certificate and transcript, each document may need separate certification and apostille.

Medical and healthcare documents

St George’s qualifications may relate to medicine, biomedical science, healthcare science, radiography, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, paramedic science, physician associate studies, public health, clinical research or related health subjects.

Because of this, a receiving authority may ask for more than a certificate.

For example, it may request:

• Degree certificate
• Academic transcript
• Confirmation of award
• Attendance dates
• Course details
• Grade or classification
• Clinical placement details
• Professional registration evidence
• Good standing evidence
• Certified copies of supporting documents

The correct document depends on the receiving authority.

Academic verification and professional registration

Academic verification confirms the university record.

It does not always confirm professional registration.

For example, a medical, healthcare or allied health authority may ask for separate professional registration or good standing evidence.

Therefore, academic documents and professional registration documents should be checked separately.

The apostille route may also differ depending on who issued the document.

Check the institution name before submission

Before starting verification, check the name printed on the certificate, transcript or official letter.

The document may refer to:

• St George’s, University of London
• St George’s Hospital Medical School
• City St George’s, University of London
• Tooting campus
• University of London
• Another awarding or professional body

The verification route and solicitor certification should follow the document and the available evidence.

St George’s Hospital Medical School name checks

Some older documents may refer to St George’s Hospital Medical School.

This should be reviewed carefully before certification.

The document may be academic, clinical, professional or historical.

Therefore, the request should identify the exact award, award date and issuing body before verification begins.

Documents we can assist with

Ginkgo Advisory can assist with verification, certification, apostille and legalisation for:

• St George’s, University of London degree certificates
• St George’s academic transcripts
• St George’s official letters
• Confirmation of award documents
• Replacement certificate route checks
• Medical degree documents
• Biomedical science documents
• Healthcare science documents
• Allied health academic documents
• City St George’s name-change checks
• University of London-related document checks
• Professional registration document route checks
• Certified copies
• Direct verification records
• Documents required by overseas authorities

An employer may accept a degree certificate. However, a regulator, university, hospital, employer or government authority may ask for both academic documents and professional registration evidence.

Solicitor certification and apostille

Verification checks the academic record with the correct source.

Solicitor certification then prepares the document for apostille or overseas use.

A basic certified copy only confirms that the copy matches the document shown to the solicitor.

Enhanced solicitor certification goes further. The solicitor reviews the verification evidence, checks the academic details and prepares wording that matches the available proof.

After solicitor certification, the document can usually proceed to the FCDO for an apostille.

The FCDO checks the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not verify the academic award itself.

Therefore, verification remains important.

FCDO apostille timeframe

For suitable documents, Ginkgo Advisory can arrange a 2 working day express FCDO apostille option after verification and solicitor certification are ready.

This 2 working day timeframe applies only to the apostille stage.

It does not include Student Systems verification time, transcript processing, replacement certificate processing, confirmation letter preparation, professional registration checks, consent correction, courier delivery, weekends, public holidays or embassy legalisation.

Further legalisation after apostille

Some receiving authorities also ask for embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO apostille.

This extra stage depends on the destination, document type and receiving authority’s rules.

For example, if the authority asks for both a medical degree certificate and a transcript, each document may need separate preparation.

If the authority also asks for professional registration evidence, that document may need separate handling.

Common reasons for delay

St George’s, University of London documents may face delay when:

• The request wrongly goes through HEDD
• The wrong campus route is selected
• Candidate consent is missing
• Candidate consent is not signed
• The consent wording is unclear
• The candidate studied under a different name
• The document uses an older institution name
• The document mentions University of London
• The receiving authority asks for both certificate and transcript
• The receiving authority needs clinical course details
• The receiving authority needs professional registration evidence
• The receiving authority needs a replacement certificate
• The apostille is treated as proof of the award itself
• Further legalisation starts before the FCDO apostille is complete

A short review before submission can reduce these risks.

Frequently asked questions

Can St George’s, University of London awards be verified through HEDD?

For former St George’s, University of London records, current guidance says not to use HEDD. Verification requests should be emailed to Student Systems directly.

Why does HEDD mention City St George’s?

City, University of London and St George’s, University of London merged in 2024 to form City St George’s, University of London.

What is the correct route for former St George’s records?

Former St George’s records are treated as the Tooting campus route. Verification requests should go to Student Systems.

What can direct verification check?

Direct verification can check whether the candidate was a past student, the award given, the grade attained and attendance dates.

Is candidate consent required?

Yes. Candidate consent is required. It should be signed and should clearly authorise release of academic information.

What if the award was made before 31 December 2024?

Legacy St George’s awards before 31 December 2024 remain St George’s, University of London awards.

What if the award was made from 1 January 2025 onwards?

Awards from 1 January 2025 onwards are issued under City St George’s, University of London.

Are older St George’s degrees still valid?

Yes. St George’s degrees awarded under the former name remain valid and recognised.

Can former students order transcripts?

Former students may be able to request transcripts through the relevant Tooting campus or Student Systems route.

Can former students order replacement certificates?

Yes, replacement certificate routes exist for St George’s awarded courses, depending on the award type.

Does academic verification prove professional registration?

No. Academic verification confirms the university record. Professional registration or good standing evidence may need a separate route.

Can a transcript or official letter be apostilled?

Yes, if the document is suitable for certification and apostille. The document should be reviewed before submission.

Does the apostille prove the degree is genuine?

No. The apostille confirms the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. Verification and solicitor certification address the academic record.

Can you arrange a 2 working day apostille?

For suitable documents, Ginkgo Advisory can arrange a 2 working day express FCDO apostille option after verification and solicitor certification are complete.

Start with the St George’s Student Systems route

Before sending a St George’s, University of London document for apostille, first confirm the correct verification route.

For former St George’s and Tooting campus records, do not use HEDD.

Instead, prepare signed candidate consent and contact Student Systems.

You should also check the award date, institution name and document type.

Some documents may refer to St George’s, University of London, City St George’s, University of London, St George’s Hospital Medical School or University of London.

Once the correct verification evidence is ready, the document can move through enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille and, where required, further legalisation.