Our solicitor can verify, certify, apostille & legalise
All UK recognised degree-awarding universities or colleges
471
recognised UK
institutions
About the Author
KH is a practising solicitor based in London, admitted in England & Wales and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. He is registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. KH has worked as legal counsel and in-house solicitor across leading firms and corporations. He personally oversees every case at Ginkgo Advisory, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and end-to-end quality control.
KH Lam, LLB, LLM
Legal Consultant of Ginkgo Advisory
Sunderland Polytechnic was a UK government-recognised institution that gave awards between 1969 and 1992. It became the University of Sunderland in 1992.
Ginkgo Advisory can assist with academic 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
HEDD lists the University of Sunderland as the successor institution for Sunderland Polytechnic.
However, the University cannot verify through HEDD:
- awards issued before 2004;
- current students;
- incomplete qualifications;
- attendance dates; or
- details such as study mode, delivery method or campus.
As all Sunderland Polytechnic awards date from 1969 to 1992, applicants will normally need an alternative historic-award route rather than standard HEDD verification.
The usual route is:
historic awarding-body verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → embassy legalisation where required
Check the awarding body first
The correct verification route depends on the organisation named on the certificate.
CNAA qualifications
Many Sunderland Polytechnic degrees were validated by the Council for National Academic Awards.
The Open University now holds the CNAA award records. A graduate or authorised third party may need to request an official CNAA award verification or replacement document through the Open University’s Awards and Aftercare service.
BTEC or Edexcel awards
Certificates showing BTEC or Edexcel normally require verification or replacement through Pearson.
HNC and HND qualifications
Historic HNC and HND certificates usually follow the Pearson replacement-document route.
The institution where the candidate studied may differ from the legal awarding body. We therefore review the certificate wording before beginning verification.
Should you submit a HEDD enquiry?
HEDD currently lists a £17 degree enquiry fee for Sunderland Polytechnic.
It also requires:
- a HEDD consent form naming the University of Sunderland;
- a handwritten signature;
- a consent date within the previous three months;
- registration on the Sunderland Awards and Verification Portal; and
- the registration email address used by the graduate.
A QR-coded certificate should also be uploaded where available.
However, HEDD warns that the University cannot verify awards issued before 2004. It may also retain part of the fee after an unsuccessful enquiry.
For a Sunderland Polytechnic award, we would normally check the certificate for CNAA, BTEC, Edexcel or another awarding body before deciding whether a HEDD request is appropriate.
Replacement certificates and transcripts
The University of Sunderland states that it cannot create award documents for graduates from before 1993.
Applicants should instead use:
- the Open University for CNAA awards;
- Pearson or Edexcel for BTEC awards; or
- Pearson for HND certificates.
Complete academic transcripts may no longer be available for older records.
Where a transcript cannot be produced, the receiving authority may accept:
- an official award verification;
- a replacement certificate;
- confirmation from the awarding body;
- the original certificate; or
- enhanced solicitor certification supported by the available evidence.
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 candidate obtained the qualification.
Our enhanced service reviews the certificate against reliable evidence, which may include:
- CNAA award verification;
- Open University records;
- Pearson or Edexcel confirmation;
- a replacement certificate;
- a HEDD result; 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.
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 awarding-body searches, replacement-document production, delivery and embassy processing.
Embassy legalisation
Documents intended for a destination outside the Hague apostille system may require further embassy or consular legalisation.
A typical route is:
solicitor certification → FCDO legalisation → embassy legalisation
The receiving authority may also request a transcript, official verification letter, certified translation or 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 requirements.
We will identify whether the correct route is the Open University, CNAA Awards and Aftercare, Pearson, HEDD or another awarding body.
Frequently asked questions
Can HEDD verify a Sunderland Polytechnic award?
Usually not. The University of Sunderland states that it cannot verify awards issued before 2004 through HEDD. Sunderland Polytechnic awards date from 1969 to 1992.
Who verifies a CNAA degree?
The Open University now maintains the former CNAA award records.
Who replaces an old HND certificate?
Pearson normally handles historic HND replacement requests.
Can the University of Sunderland issue a replacement certificate?
Not normally for an award made before 1993. The applicant should approach the awarding body shown on the original certificate.
Does an apostille verify the degree?
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 Sunderland Polytechnic verification
Send a clear scan and the receiving authority’s requirements to:
Email: info@ginkgoadvisory.com
WhatsApp: +44 7388 833283
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