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 Plymouth St Mark and St John was a UK government-recognised institution that gave awards between 2007 and 2013. Plymouth Marjon University now verifies its qualifications.
Ginkgo Advisory can assist with degree 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
University College Plymouth St Mark and St John qualifications can be verified through HEDD.
The usual process is:
HEDD verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → embassy legalisation where required
Plymouth Marjon University does not have an exclusive HEDD arrangement. Third parties may use HEDD or contact the University directly.
The current HEDD degree enquiry fee is £14.
HEDD degree verification
HEDD can check:
- whether the candidate was a student;
- the qualification awarded;
- the grade or classification; and
- attendance dates.
The candidate must provide a signed consent form as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF.
The request should include:
- the candidate’s name during study;
- any former name;
- course and qualification;
- attendance dates;
- award year;
- classification; and
- student number, if known.
Accurate information helps Plymouth Marjon University identify the correct historic record.
Plymouth Marjon University
The institution received university college status in 2007. It gained full university title in 2013 and is now known as Plymouth Marjon University.
Plymouth Marjon University is the trading name of the University of St Mark & St John.
Historic documents may therefore show:
- University College Plymouth St Mark and St John;
- University College Plymouth Marjon;
- University of St Mark & St John; or
- Plymouth Marjon University.
These names form part of the same institutional history.
Transcripts, certificates and verification letters
Plymouth Marjon University offers several documents to former students, including:
- replacement certificates;
- certified certificate copies;
- academic transcripts;
- course descriptors; and
- official verification letters.
A verification letter confirms the study dates, award and classification. It is issued on university letterhead and signed by the Awards and Conferment team.
Current published charges include:
- replacement certificate: £35;
- certified certificate copy: £20;
- post-2001 printed transcript: £20; and
- verification letter for study from 2000/01 onwards: £20.
Replacement certificates
Plymouth Marjon can issue replacement certificates for students registered for an award from the 2008/09 academic year onwards.
Students registered before that date may need to approach the University of Exeter.
University College Plymouth St Mark and St John existed between 2007 and 2013. Therefore, the student’s registration year is important.
A student who started in 2007 may follow a different replacement route from someone who registered in 2008/09 or later.
Where the original certificate names CNAA, the Open University handles the replacement-document 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 University issued the certificate or that the candidate obtained the stated qualification.
Our enhanced service reviews the document against reliable evidence, such as:
- a HEDD verification;
- a Marjon verification letter;
- an official transcript;
- 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 creates a stronger evidence chain than a basic certified true copy.
FCDO apostille
After verification and solicitor certification, the document can proceed to the UK 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:
- HEDD processing;
- university verification;
- 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 process is:
solicitor certification → FCDO legalisation → embassy legalisation
The overseas authority may also request:
- an official transcript;
- a verification letter;
- a certified translation;
- an identity document; or
- additional evidence about the awarding institution.
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;
- registration and 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, Plymouth Marjon University, the University of Exeter, the Open University or another awarding body.
Frequently asked questions
Who verifies University College Plymouth St Mark and St John qualifications?
Plymouth Marjon University verifies the qualifications. HEDD offers an online third-party verification route.
How much does HEDD verification cost?
The current degree enquiry fee is £14.
Is HEDD the only verification route?
No. HEDD does not have an exclusive agreement with Plymouth Marjon University. A third party may also contact the University directly.
Can former students obtain a verification letter?
Yes. The letter can confirm study dates, the award and classification.
Can Plymouth Marjon replace every certificate?
Not necessarily. Its standard replacement service applies to students registered for an award from 2008/09 onwards. Earlier students may need to contact the University of Exeter.
Does an apostille verify the degree?
No. HEDD or the 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 verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille, embassy legalisation and return delivery.
Start your qualification verification
Send a clear scan and the receiving authority’s requirements to:
Email: info@ginkgoadvisory.com
WhatsApp: +44 7388 833283
Contact Us
Address
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