University of South Wales Degree Certificate: Verification, Solicitor Authentication, UK Apostille and Embassy Legalisation (2026 Guide)

If you need to use a University of South Wales degree certificate overseas, start by verifying the award properly. Then complete solicitor authentication, UK apostille, and embassy legalisation if required. The UK government recognises the University of South Wales as a degree-awarding university in Wales. On 11 April 2013, the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport merged to create the University of South Wales.

Briefly about the University of South Wales

The University of South Wales is a recognised Welsh university with degree-awarding powers. For overseas use, the key point is simple: the university handles degree verification directly. HEDD does not verify University of South Wales degree data, so the verification route differs from that of many other UK universities.

How to verify a University of South Wales degree

For a University of South Wales degree certificate, verification should be done as follows:

1) HEDD cannot be used

You cannot verify University of South Wales degree data through HEDD.

2) Obtain verification directly from the university

The University of South Wales verifies degree data directly. The candidate must give consent before the university will process the request. The university can then confirm whether the candidate studied there, the award granted, the grade achieved, and the attendance dates.

Solicitor authentication and certification

After independent verification, a solicitor can authenticate the degree certificate using stronger certification wording supported by an authenticity trail.

This matters because many agents or solicitors only certify a document as a copy of what was shown to them. That is a much lower level of assurance. A stronger process is:

• independent verification of the degree directly with the university
• solicitor authentication based on that verification
• solicitor certification that goes beyond a simple “certified true copy” of a presented printout

As Prospects notes, simply looking at a paper or digital qualification certificate is not enough; the reliable approach is to verify directly with the awarding institution or via an official verification service where available.

UK FCDO apostille

Once the document has been properly authenticated and certified, it can be submitted for UK FCDO apostille. For clients who need speed, Ginkgo Advisory can offer a 2 working day UK apostille service.

Embassy legalisation / attestation

If the destination country is not relying on apostille alone, the next step may be embassy legalisation or consular attestation after the UK apostille. The exact route depends on the country where you will use the document.

How Ginkgo Advisory can help

Ginkgo Advisory helps with the full process for University of South Wales degree certificates, including:

• checking the correct verification route
• arranging Confirmation of Award/Attendance directly with the university
• solicitor authentication based on independent verification
• solicitor certification that supports authenticity verification, not just a basic copy certification
• UK FCDO apostille, including a 2 working day option
• embassy legalisation / attestation where required

Our approach is built around independent verification first. That allows stronger solicitor certification wording and gives overseas authorities a clearer authenticity trail.