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
University College of North Wales, commonly known as UCNW, opened in Bangor in 1884. Bangor University now verifies its historic qualifications through HEDD.
Ginkgo Advisory can arrange HEDD verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille and embassy legalisation. A 2 working day express FCDO apostille option is available after verification and solicitor certification are complete.
Quick answer
University College of North Wales qualifications can be verified through HEDD.
The usual route is:
HEDD verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → embassy legalisation where required
Bangor University is an exclusive HEDD partner. Standard third-party verification requests must therefore be submitted through HEDD.
The current degree enquiry fee is £14.
HEDD verification requirements
HEDD can check:
- current or former student status;
- the qualification awarded;
- the grade or classification; and
- attendance dates.
The consent form must be dated within the previous three months.
Bangor University accepts:
- handwritten signatures;
- Adobe Sign;
- DocuSign; and
- freehand digital signatures.
A typed name is not accepted as a signature.
The signed form can be uploaded as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF.
Where available, applicants should provide the candidate’s Bangor Student ID. Modern Bangor numbers commonly begin with 500, although historic UCNW graduates may not have such a number.
Check the awarding body
The institution where the candidate studied may differ from the institution that formally awarded the degree.
Bangor opened in 1884 as the University College of North Wales. Its earliest students received University of London degrees. From 1893, it became a constituent college of the University of Wales.
An older certificate may therefore name:
- University College of North Wales;
- the University of London;
- the University of Wales; or
- another professional or academic awarding body.
The name printed on the certificate determines who may issue a replacement document.
Transcripts and replacement certificates
Bangor University provides former students with transcript and certificate services. Transcript requests are normally processed within 21 days, although older records may take longer.
A transcript can normally confirm registration dates and the qualification obtained. Module and grade details depend on the records that remain available.
Replacement-certificate requests follow the awarding body:
- Bangor University award: apply to Bangor University;
- University of Wales award: apply directly to the University of Wales;
- University of London award: contact the University of London.
Bangor specifically advises that University of Wales replacement-certificate and academic-statement requests must go to the University of Wales.
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 result;
- an official Bangor transcript;
- a replacement certificate;
- a confirmation of award;
- University of Wales records; or
- University of London confirmation.
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 process 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;
- archive 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, award confirmation letter, certified translation or identity document.
What to send us
Please provide:
- a clear certificate scan;
- the transcript, if available;
- the candidate’s name during study;
- course and qualification;
- attendance dates;
- award year;
- classification;
- student number, if known;
- destination country; and
- receiving authority’s requirements.
We will identify whether the correct route involves HEDD, Bangor University, the University of Wales, the University of London or another awarding body.
Frequently asked questions
Who verifies University College of North Wales qualifications?
Bangor University verifies the historic qualifications through HEDD.
How much does HEDD verification cost?
The current degree enquiry fee is £14.
Are digital signatures accepted?
Yes. Adobe Sign, DocuSign and freehand digital signatures are accepted. Typed signatures are not accepted.
How recent must the consent form be?
It must be dated within the previous three months.
Can former students obtain a transcript?
Possibly. Bangor processes historic transcript requests, but the level of detail depends on the records retained.
Who issues a replacement certificate?
The awarding body printed on the certificate determines the route. Many historic UCNW qualifications were University of Wales awards.
Does an apostille verify the qualification?
No. HEDD or the relevant awarding university 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 HEDD verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille, embassy legalisation and return delivery.
Start your UCNW qualification verification
Send a clear scan and the receiving authority’s requirements to:
Email: info@ginkgoadvisory.com
WhatsApp: +44 7388 833283
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