WHAT IS DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENT?
 
The Diploma Supplement is an annex, an explanatory note attached to a diploma awarded by a higher education institution. It helps to explain the diploma which may often be understood only within the country concerned. When fully completed this document provides all the information necessary  to make a valid assessment of any degree or qualification.

The Supplement should be issued to every student, upon graduation, together with their official diploma, free of charge, in a widely spoken European language.

Institutions should disseminate information regarding the purpose and content of the Diploma Supplement among their own students as well as to local organisations, employers and other interested persons.

In this connection, the EUROPASS initiative [1] of the Commission should be noted. The Commission proposes to integrate the different transparency instruments developed for vocational training (like the European Portfolio and the European CV) and bring them together in a single European Framework for Transparency of Qualifications and Competences, which would include the Diploma Supplement.

 
WHAT IT IS NOT?
 

It is not a Curriculum Vitae.

It is not a substitute for the original qualification or a transcript.

It is not an automatic system that guarantees recognition.

 
WHAT DOES THE DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENT OFFER TO STUDENTS?
 
A diploma that is more readable and easily comparable abroad.

A precise description of their academic career and the competencies acquired during the study period.

Objective description of their achievements and competencies

An easier access to opportunities of work or further studies abroad

It fosters their employability
 
WHAT DOES THE DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENT OFFER TO HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS?
 
It facilitates academic and professional recognition, thus increasing the transparency of qualifications.

 It protects national/institutional autonomy while offering a common frame which is accepted all over Europe.

It promotes informed judgements about qualifications that can be understood in another educational context.

It raises the visibility of the institution abroad.

 It promotes the employability of their graduates at national and international level.

 It helps saving time since it provides the answers to a lot of recurrent questions put to administrative services in institutions about the content and portability of diplomas.
 
WHY IS THE DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENT NEEDED?
 
It promotes transparency in higher education.

It accommodates rapid changes in qualifications.

It aids mobility, access and lifelong learning.

It promotes fair and informed judgements about qualifications.
 
DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENT CONTENT
 
Each Diploma Supplement should start with the following preamble:

This Diploma Supplement follows the model developed by the European Commission, Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEPES. The purpose of the supplement is to provide sufficient independent data to improve the international "transparency" and fair academic and professional recognition of qualifications (diplomas, degrees, certificates etc.). It is designed to provide a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies that were pursued and successfully completed by the individual named on the original qualification to which this supplement is appended. It should be free from any value-judgements, equivalence statements or suggestions about recognition. Information in all eight sections should be provided. Where information is not provided, an explanation should give the reason why.

And continue with the following eight sections:

1. Information identifying the holder of the qualification:

 Family name(s):
Given name(s):
Date of birth: (day/month/year)
Student identification number or code: (if available)

2. Information identifying the qualification and its originating institution:

Name of the qualification: (in original language)
Name and type of awarding institution: (in original language)
Name and type of institution administering studies: (in original language)
Language(s) of instruction/examination:

3. Information on the level of the qualification:

Level of qualification:
Access requirements(s):
Main field(s) of study for the qualification:

4. Information on the contents and results gained:

 Mode of study:
Normal length of programme:
Programme requirements:
Components, courses, modules or units studied: (if this information is available on an official transcript this should be used here)
Individual grades obtained:
Grading scheme, grade translation and grade distribution guidance:
Overall classification of the award :(in original language)

5. Information on the function of the qualification:

Title conferred by the qualification :(in original language)
Access to further study:
Professional status conferred:

6. Additional information:

 Additional information:
Further information sources:

7. Certification of the supplement:

Date:
Signature:
Capacity:
Official stamp or seal:

8. Information on the national higher education system(s):

General overview of the educational system(s):
Description of the national higher education awards structure(s):