Thames Valley College of Higher Education Degree Verification and Apostille

Thames Valley College of Higher Education was a UK government-recognised institution that gave awards between 1970 and 1990. The University of West London 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 once verification and certification are complete.

Quick answer

Thames Valley College of Higher Education qualifications can be checked through HEDD.

The usual route is:

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

The University of West London is an exclusive HEDD partner. Standard third-party degree verification requests must therefore be submitted through HEDD.

The current degree enquiry fee is £14. Verification of qualifications obtained before 1994 remains subject to the availability of the university’s historical records.

HEDD degree verification

HEDD can check:

• whether the candidate was a student;
• the qualification awarded;
• the grade or classification; and
• attendance dates, where records are available.

The candidate must provide a signed consent form as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF file.

The enquiry should include accurate details such as:

• the candidate’s name during study;
• any former name;
• course title;
• qualification;
• attendance period;
• award year; and
• student number, if known.

Historic records may be incomplete. A pre-1994 request can therefore produce limited information or an inconclusive result.

Current students

Current students cannot be verified through HEDD.

They should request an official student-status or enrolment letter directly from the University of West London.

Transcripts, certificates and official letters

Former students of the University of West London and its predecessor institutions can request:

• replacement degree certificates;
• academic transcripts;
• official confirmation letters;
• course syllabi; and
• certified copies of certificates or transcripts.

UWL recognises Thames Valley College of Higher Education as one of its predecessor institutions. However, the availability and detail of any document depend on the records still held.

Certified copies may be useful where an overseas authority wants a university-stamped document. UWL can also arrange for some transcripts to be sent directly to an overseas board or receiving organisation.

Check the awarding body

The institution where the candidate studied may not always be the legal awarding body.

An older certificate may name:

• Thames Valley College of Higher Education;
• CNAA;
• BTEC or Edexcel;
• another validating university; or
• a professional awarding body.

We review the exact certificate wording before beginning verification or ordering replacement documents.

Where another organisation awarded the qualification, that body may need to confirm the award or issue the 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 confirm that the qualification appears in official university records.

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

• a HEDD verification result;
• an official UWL transcript;
• a university confirmation letter;
• a certified university copy;
• a replacement certificate; or
• confirmation from another awarding body.

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

This gives the overseas recipient a clearer link between the historic document and the available university record.

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 academic qualification.

The recommended process is:

academic verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

Our 2 working day express FCDO apostille option applies to suitable documents once verification and certification are ready.

The two working days cover the apostille stage only. They exclude:

• HEDD processing;
• historic record searches;
• transcript production;
• replacement certificates;
• courier delivery; and
• embassy legalisation.

Embassy legalisation

Documents intended for a destination 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 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 instructions.

We will identify whether the correct route involves HEDD, the University of West London or another awarding body.

Frequently asked questions

Who verifies Thames Valley College qualifications?

The University of West London verifies the qualifications through HEDD.

How much does HEDD verification cost?

The current degree enquiry fee is £14.

Can HEDD verify a qualification obtained before 1994?

Possibly. However, verification remains subject to the availability of UWL’s historical records.

Can a current student be verified through HEDD?

No. The student should request an official letter directly from the University.

Can former students obtain transcripts?

Yes, where sufficient records remain. UWL offers transcripts, official letters, replacement degrees and other documents to alumni of its predecessor institutions.

Does an apostille verify the qualification?

No. HEDD 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 verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille, embassy legalisation and return delivery.

Start your Thames Valley College verification

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

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