What is a Diploma Supplement?
A Diploma Supplement is an addition to the leaving certificate in the area of Higher Education that was introduced in the course of the Bologna-Process. It is awarded by universities along with the regular certificate. The Diploma Supplement describes the course properties, contents and type of degree. It should be devoid of value judgements, recommendations or approval of any kind. The Diploma Supplement works as a supplementary explanation of the qualification and does not replace a regular certificate.
Which are the aspects mentioned in a Diploma-Supplement?
According to a guideline of the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the UNESCO/CEPES the following aspects should be part of the Diploma Supplement:
A description of the national higher education sector is provided by the network of "National Academic Recognition Information Centres" (NARICs) and can be found at www.enic-naric.net.
In case to one of the above mentioned aspects there is not issued a statement, there should be given reasons for.
When will the Diploma Supplement be introduced? Why?
By the Berlin ministerial summit of 2003, the due day for the introduction of the Diploma Supplement was January 1st 2005. As the Unit survey of UK Higher Education Institutes on European Higher Education developments indicated in 2007, sixty per cent of respondent institutions currently issue the Diploma Supplement. The reforms of the Bologna-Process will be realised by the year 2010, and actual UK Higher Education Institutes are urged to proceed with issuing the Diploma Supplement as soon as possible. By restructuring the system of Higher Education in the course of the Bologna Process, the Higher Education shall be made more transparent and the students' mobility shall be promoted.
What are the benefits for all parties involved?
Benefits for students: With an objective description of the particular performances and skills the individual academic career gains transparency. The professional qualification sharpens up and the international aspect of the career comes to the fore. The same applies to the continuation of studies abroad. Consequently a Diploma Supplement enhances the students' mobility.
Benefits for academies: The international setting enables a distinct presentation of the academy's own profile. The quality of its offers becomes transparent, the international aspect of education gains significance. In the long run the administrative effort decreases by means of the uniformed scope: Leaving certificates of foreign students can be valued easily by the examination offices.
Benefits for businesses: For businesses the Diploma Supplement means the chance to find appropriate applicants considerably quicker. This standardisation permits the comparison of the applicants' competences at one glance. Not only the type of degree but also the acquired contents are apparent for the potential employer and therefore easier to trace.
Why is the Diploma Supplement a basic element of the Bologna Process?
The world of business and labour needs contemporarily skilled potentials. The mobility of students increases through the introduction of pan-European standards and the numerous options of specialisation provide precise insight into the candidates' individual profiles per view on the differentiated schedules and possibilities of advanced education. The Bologna-Process represents the education-political answer to the demands of the 21st century's work environment. The Diploma Supplement enables a fair, informative and internationally orientated evaluation of the gained academic and professional qualification (certificates, degrees etc.).
This following guideline has been developed by the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the UNESCO/CEPES:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/socrates/ects/doc/form4.pdf