It's a fact that an official transcript is much more authoritative than any apostille. Transcripts are close to impossible to forge, they have special properties, just like money. Organizations usually rely on them alone and not some ridiculous authentication process, like the one the Chinese have adopted.

Watermarks either on transcripts or on original university degree certificates are great verifications in their own right. Original documents of the kind above are as difficult to forge as bank notes are.

The Brit Council are on the ball in this regard. They will view the originals, looking for watermarks. They do not accept photocopies, because photocopies are not watermarked, unlike originals!

A couple of haughty Chinese know-all school FAOs who clearly knew no Latin, had dared to question the validity of my original university parchment. I sent them away with fleas in their ears by holding my parchment in front of a strong beam of light so that the watermarks were clearly visible, after having done the same with a 100rmb bank note!