St Martin’s College Degree Verification and Apostille

St Martin’s College was a recognised UK institution that gave awards between 1964 and 2007. The University of Cumbria now verifies its qualifications.

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 after verification and certification are complete.

Quick answer

St Martin’s College qualifications can be verified through HEDD.

The usual route is:

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

The University of Cumbria is an exclusive HEDD partner. Standard third-party verification requests must therefore be submitted through HEDD. The current degree enquiry fee is £14.

HEDD degree verification

HEDD can check:

• whether the candidate was a student;
• the course and qualification;
• the award obtained;
• 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.

The information submitted should match the degree certificate. This includes the candidate’s name, course, award year and qualification title.

St Martin’s College and the University of Cumbria

The University of Cumbria was formed in 2007 through the merger of St Martin’s College, Cumbria Institute of the Arts and the University of Central Lancashire’s Cumbria sites.

A historic certificate may show:

• St Martin’s College;
• Lancaster University;
• the University of Central Lancashire;
• another validating university; or
• a professional awarding body.

The teaching institution and legal awarding body may not be the same. We check the exact wording on the certificate before arranging certification or ordering replacement documents.

Transcripts and confirmation of study

The University of Cumbria can provide a Confirmation of Study for St Martin’s College students who studied between 1999 and 2007.

The document may include:

• the final award;
• classification;
• modules;
• marks; and
• grades, where available.

The current fee is £20, and processing can take up to 28 working days. The University states that this particular service is unavailable for St Martin’s College students who graduated or left before 1999.

This document-service restriction does not necessarily prevent a HEDD verification. HEDD remains the University’s required route for third-party checks of attendance and awards.

Replacement certificates

The University of Cumbria only produces duplicate certificates for its own awards made after August 2007.

Where a St Martin’s College certificate names Lancaster University, the University of Central Lancashire or another awarding body, the replacement request must normally go to that institution.

A successful HEDD verification may still be available even when the University of Cumbria cannot issue a replacement certificate.

Solicitor verification and certification

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

It does not independently prove that the candidate obtained the qualification.

Our enhanced service reviews the document against reliable evidence, such as:

• a HEDD verification;
• a Confirmation of Study;
• an official transcript;
• a replacement certificate;
• an awarding-body record; or
• another university confirmation.

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

FCDO apostille

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

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

The recommended route is:

academic verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

Our 2 working day express FCDO apostille option covers the apostille stage only. It excludes HEDD processing, university document production, awarding-body enquiries, delivery and embassy legalisation.

Embassy legalisation

Documents intended for a non-Hague destination may require further embassy or consular legalisation.

A typical route is:

solicitor certification → FCDO legalisation → embassy legalisation

The receiving authority may also request an official transcript, Confirmation of Study, certified translation or supporting identity document.

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;
• award year;
• student number, if known;
• destination country; and
• receiving authority’s instructions.

We will identify whether the document should follow HEDD, the University of Cumbria or another awarding-body route.

Frequently asked questions

Who verifies St Martin’s College qualifications?

The University of Cumbria verifies them through HEDD.

Are digital consent signatures accepted?

Yes. Digital signatures are accepted for the HEDD consent form.

Can I obtain a St Martin’s College transcript?

For study between 1999 and 2007, the University of Cumbria may provide a Confirmation of Study with marks and grades where available. Earlier records are not available through that document-ordering service.

Can the University of Cumbria replace my certificate?

Usually not if the award predates August 2007. The awarding institution named on the certificate may need to issue the replacement.

Does an apostille verify the qualification?

No. HEDD or the relevant awarding institution verifies the academic record. The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

Can Ginkgo Advisory manage the complete process?

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

Start your St Martin’s College verification

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

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