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
The University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, commonly known as UWIC, was a predecessor of Cardiff Metropolitan University. Cardiff Met now verifies qualifications issued under the UWIC name.
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 of Wales Institute Cardiff qualifications can be verified through HEDD.
The usual process is:
HEDD verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → embassy legalisation where required
Cardiff Metropolitan University is an exclusive HEDD partner. Third-party degree checks must therefore be submitted through HEDD.
The current degree enquiry fee is £14.
HEDD verification requirements
HEDD can check:
- whether the candidate was a student;
- the qualification awarded;
- the grade or classification; and
- attendance dates.
The candidate must submit a consent form carrying a genuine handwritten signature.
Cardiff Metropolitan University does not accept:
- typed signatures;
- electronic signatures; or
- pasted signature images.
Using an invalid signature may delay the request. The signed form can be uploaded as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF.
The enquiry should include the candidate’s:
- name during study;
- date of birth;
- course and qualification;
- graduation year;
- degree result; and
- attendance dates, where required.
UWIC and Cardiff Metropolitan University
Cardiff Metropolitan University’s history records the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff name from 1996 to 2011. The institution became Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2011.
Older documents may display:
- University of Wales Institute, Cardiff;
- UWIC;
- Cardiff Institute of Higher Education;
- University of Wales; or
- Cardiff Metropolitan University.
The former institution name does not invalidate the qualification.
Transcripts and official documents
Former students can order documents through Cardiff Metropolitan University’s e-store.
Available documents include:
- replacement certificates;
- copies of academic transcripts;
- verification-of-award letters;
- course syllabuses; and
- programme handbooks.
Cardiff Met warns that it cannot guarantee that it holds every transcript or course record from before 1 November 2011. However, it retains some historical records and will review each request.
Replacement certificates
Most UWIC degrees issued before 1 November 2011 were University of Wales awards.
The University of Wales will therefore normally issue the replacement certificate. Cardiff Metropolitan University may still provide transcripts, verification letters or other records where available.
The University of Wales currently charges £30 for an eligible replacement certificate.
Some UWIC documents may instead be:
- BTEC or Edexcel awards;
- City & Guilds qualifications;
- professional awards; or
- certificates issued directly by UWIC.
The awarding body printed on the original certificate determines the correct 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 establish that the qualification is genuine.
Our enhanced service reviews the document against reliable evidence, such as:
- a HEDD verification;
- an official transcript;
- a verification-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 UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
An apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not independently verify the underlying qualification.
The recommended order 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 timeframe excludes:
- HEDD processing;
- university record searches;
- transcript production;
- replacement certificates;
- courier delivery; and
- embassy legalisation.
Embassy legalisation
Documents intended for a destination outside the Hague apostille system may require further embassy or consular legalisation.
A typical process is:
solicitor certification → FCDO legalisation → embassy legalisation
The receiving authority may also request an official transcript, verification 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;
- award year and classification;
- attendance dates;
- student number, if known;
- destination country; and
- the receiving authority’s requirements.
We will identify whether the correct route involves HEDD, Cardiff Metropolitan University, the University of Wales or another awarding body.
Frequently asked questions
Who verifies UWIC qualifications?
Cardiff Metropolitan University verifies University of Wales Institute Cardiff qualifications through HEDD.
How much does HEDD verification cost?
The current degree enquiry fee is £14.
Is a handwritten consent form required?
Yes. Cardiff Metropolitan University accepts only hand-signed consent forms for this HEDD route.
Can former students obtain a transcript?
Possibly. Cardiff Met holds some older records but cannot guarantee transcript availability for study before November 2011.
Who issues a replacement certificate?
Most UWIC degrees issued before November 2011 were University of Wales awards. The University of Wales normally handles those replacement requests.
Does an apostille verify the degree?
No. HEDD or the relevant 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 UWIC degree verification
Send a clear scan and the receiving authority’s requirements to:
Email: info@ginkgoadvisory.com
WhatsApp: +44 7388 833283
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