Staffordshire Polytechnic Degree Verification and Apostille

Staffordshire Polytechnic was a recognised UK institution that gave awards between 1988 and 1992. It became Staffordshire University in 1992, which changed its name to the University of Staffordshire in 2024.

Ginkgo Advisory can assist with qualification 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

The Open University holds the records for many Staffordshire Polytechnic qualifications.

However, the correct verification route depends on the awarding body printed on the certificate:

• CNAA degree or PGCE: Open University Awards and Aftercare;
• BTEC, HNC or HND: Pearson or Edexcel;
• direct Open University award: HEDD;
• incomplete OU study: Open University STAR team; or
• research degree: Open University Research Degrees Office.

Most pre-1993 Staffordshire Polytechnic degrees and PGCEs were awarded by the Council for National Academic Awards. The University of Staffordshire cannot verify or replace these awards itself.

Check the certificate before using HEDD

HEDD lists the Open University as the verifying institution for Staffordshire Polytechnic qualifications. Its degree enquiry fee is £14, and the Open University consent form must be used.

The candidate must sign the form and upload it as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF. Any request for extra details, such as the study mode, campus or delivery location, should be written under “Other” on the consent form.

However, HEDD is primarily the route for qualifications awarded directly by the Open University.

A Staffordshire Polytechnic certificate that names CNAA should follow the Open University Validated Partnerships and Awards and Aftercare route instead.

CNAA degree verification

CNAA was the awarding body for most Staffordshire Polytechnic degree and PGCE courses before 1993. The Open University now maintains the CNAA award archive.

The Open University can provide formal verification of:

• the graduate’s name;
• qualification title;
• classification;
• award date; and
• awarding institution details held in its records.

The current CNAA verification fee is £60. The Open University requires its authorisation form with the graduate’s hand signature and normally processes complete applications within seven working days. It cannot verify detailed transcript information.

BTEC, HNC and HND qualifications

Some Staffordshire Polytechnic qualifications were awarded by BTEC rather than CNAA.

Certificates showing BTEC, Edexcel, HNC or HND usually require verification or replacement through Pearson. The University of Staffordshire does not provide pre-1993 award verification or transcripts for these qualifications.

Replacement certificates and transcripts

The University of Staffordshire cannot issue replacement certificates for Staffordshire Polytechnic awards made before 1993.

For a CNAA award, the Open University may provide award verification and certain replacement documents. Pearson handles eligible historic BTEC awards.

Detailed transcripts may no longer exist. Where a transcript is unavailable, the receiving authority may accept:

• a CNAA verification document;
• confirmation of the award;
• the original certificate;
• an official replacement document; or
• enhanced solicitor certification supported by the available records.

Solicitor verification and certification

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

It does not independently confirm that the qualification is genuine.

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

• CNAA verification;
• a HEDD result;
• an Open University award document;
• Pearson confirmation;
• a replacement certificate; or
• another official awarding-body record.

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

FCDO apostille

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

The Legalisation Office checks the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal before attaching an apostille. It does not independently confirm the underlying academic award.

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 CNAA or HEDD processing, replacement-document production, delivery and embassy legalisation.

Embassy legalisation

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

The usual route is:

solicitor certification → FCDO legalisation → embassy legalisation

The receiving authority may also request an official award verification, translation, passport copy or additional academic evidence.

What to send us

Please provide:

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

We will identify whether the correct route is HEDD, CNAA Awards and Aftercare, Pearson or another awarding body.

Frequently asked questions

Who verifies Staffordshire Polytechnic degrees?

The Open University holds records for CNAA and certain other historic awards. Most Staffordshire Polytechnic degrees and PGCEs should follow the CNAA Awards and Aftercare route.

Can the University of Staffordshire verify the award?

No. It states that it cannot verify pre-1993 awards made by Staffordshire Polytechnic or North Staffordshire Polytechnic.

Should I use HEDD?

It depends on the certificate. Direct Open University awards use HEDD. A certificate naming CNAA should normally follow the Open University Awards and Aftercare route.

Can I obtain a transcript?

The Open University cannot provide transcript information for CNAA awards. Another record may be available from the former teaching institution, but this is not guaranteed.

Does an apostille verify the qualification?

No. The awarding body 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 academic verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille, embassy legalisation and return delivery.

Start your Staffordshire Polytechnic verification

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

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