Swansea Metropolitan University Degree Verification and Apostille

Swansea Metropolitan University was a UK government-recognised institution whose history dates from 1853. It became part of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in 2013. UWTSD now maintains and verifies its academic records.

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

Quick answer

Swansea Metropolitan University qualifications cannot be verified through HEDD.

Verification requests must be submitted directly to the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Candidate consent is required. UWTSD may confirm:

• former student status;
• the award obtained;
• grade or classification; and
• attendance dates.

The usual route is:

direct UWTSD verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → embassy legalisation where required

Direct university verification

Third-party verification requests should be sent to UWTSD Registry:

Email: registry@uwtsd.ac.uk

The request should normally include:

• the candidate’s full name during study;
• any previous name;
• date of birth;
• course and qualification;
• attendance dates;
• award year;
• student number, if known;
• a copy of the certificate; and
• signed candidate consent.

The University may request further information before releasing the academic record.

Transcripts and confirmation letters

UWTSD can provide transcripts, confirmation of award letters and confirmation of attendance for graduates of Swansea Metropolitan University and its predecessor institutions.

Older records may take longer to locate. UWTSD warns that it cannot guarantee that every record from 2000 or earlier has survived. Records for some former institutions are incomplete, particularly certain College of Art records and records from 1981 to 1987.

Where a full transcript is unavailable, the University may provide a letter confirming:

• the qualification;
• overall result;
• award date; and
• attendance period.

Replacement certificates and awarding bodies

The correct replacement-certificate route depends on the awarding body printed on the document.

Possible routes include:

• UWTSD or its predecessor institutions: UWTSD Registry;
• University of Wales awards: University of Wales Graduate Services;
• BTEC or Edexcel awards: Pearson;
• City & Guilds awards: City & Guilds;
• CNAA awards: Open University Awards and Aftercare; or
• another university named on the certificate.

UWTSD can only replace certificates produced by the University or its predecessor colleges. A University of Wales replacement certificate must normally be ordered from the University of Wales.

We review the precise certificate wording before selecting the verification or replacement route.

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 qualification appears in official university records.

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

• direct UWTSD verification;
• an official transcript;
• a confirmation of award letter;
• a replacement certificate;
• University of Wales confirmation; or
• another awarding-body record.

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

FCDO apostille

After academic 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 underlying 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 university verification, archive searches, transcript production, delivery and embassy processing.

Embassy legalisation

Documents intended for a country outside the Hague Apostille Convention 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, university letter, 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;
• course and qualification;
• attendance dates;
• award year;
• student number, if known;
• destination country; and
• receiving authority’s requirements.

We will identify whether the document should follow UWTSD, the University of Wales, Pearson, CNAA or another awarding-body route.

Frequently asked questions

Can HEDD verify a Swansea Metropolitan University degree?

No. Verification must be requested directly from UWTSD.

Who now holds the academic records?

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David became the successor institution when Swansea Metropolitan University merged into UWTSD in 2013.

Can former students obtain a transcript?

Possibly. Availability depends on the study period and surviving records. Older or incomplete records may support only a confirmation letter.

Who issues a replacement certificate?

The awarding body shown on the original certificate determines the route. University of Wales awards normally require a replacement through the University of Wales.

Does an apostille verify the qualification?

No. UWTSD or the relevant 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 direct university verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille, embassy legalisation and return delivery.

Start your Swansea Metropolitan University verification

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

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