1. Raimonda Markeviciene, Minsk, 27 October, 2016
Diploma Supplement
Raimonda Markeviciene,
Minsk, 27 October, 2016

2. WHY Diploma Supplement?
Transparency &change
Mobility
Recognition
Diploma mills
Proliferation of new qualifications
Non-recognition
Poor evaluation of qualifications
Rapid change of HE systems and structures
Lack of sufficient information

3. Founding principles of DS
Respects national and international academic authority
Can be adapted to national needs
Aids resolution of international recognition problems
Aids recognition for academic and professional purposes
Excludes value-judgement in respect to equivalence
Aids/accompanies original credentials

4. DS - Information template jointly developed by the European Commission, the Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEPES
Over 70 different institutions (HEIs, ENIC/NARICs, social partners, and employers).
25 different subject fields
250 separate evaluation of actual Supplements
1997 -Lisbon Recognition Convention
1998 – Sorbone Declaration
1999 – Bologna declaration
September 1997-June 1998 – international working group developed pilot tested DS model

5. DS is a direct product of the Council of Europe/UNESCO “Convention on the Recognition of Qualification Concerning Higher Education in the European Region” adopted in Lisbon 1977, which:
Acts
Gives transparency
Describes
Accompanies original qualification
Not valid without Diploma/award certificate
Provides sufficient independent data on qualification
Improves recognition
nature, level context, content and status of the studies pursued.

6. Recommendations Follow a common structure.
Accompany the original qualification.
Have key information in the original language of the institution.
Are free from value judgments.
Are centrally produced by institutions.
Contain information on the local HE system.
Are issued automatically.
Are translated accurately.
Are linked to quality assurance system.
Are evaluated with sensitivity.

7. Issued automatically, free of charge
To be used for any qualification, area and at any institution
Advisable to use ECTS information, consistency in terminology
Issued in a national and widely spoken European language
Further recommendations

8. Political and operational support
Bologna (1999): adoption of a system of easily readable and comparable degrees, also through the implementation of Diploma supplement, in order to promote European citizens employability and the international competitiveness…
Berlin (2003): …every student graduating as from 2005 should receive the Diploma Supplement automatically and free of charge. It should be issued in a widely spoken European language. (2003)
Diploma Supplement labels (since 2003)

10. For students For institutions Benefits
Easily understandable and comparable diploma
Objective description of academic achievements
Easier access to job or employment opportunities
For students
Increases transparency of qualifications
Saves time
Facilitates recognition
Raises institutional visibility, helps marketing
Promotes employability of graduates
For institutions

11. Pros and cons to the implementation ways
DS label
Provides unified approach
Might help to reduce initial costs
Mistakes more difficult to correct
National Initiative
Institutional initiative
Easier to correct structural mistakes and to find cost effective solutions

12. Information sections and sub-sections
1.1 Family name
1.2 Given name
1.3 Date of birth
1.4 Student identification number or code
2.1 Name of qualification and title conferred
2.2 Main field of study for the qualification
2.3 Name and status of awarding institution
2.4 Name and status of institution administering studies
2.5 Language of instruction/examination
3.1 Level of qualification
3.2 Official length of programme
3.3 Access requirements
1. Information identifying the holder of the qualification
Original language
2. Information identifying the qualification
Accreditation and profile
3. Information on the level of the qualification
Relate to NQF where possible, use Bologna terms

13. Information sections and sub-sections
4.1 Mode of study
4.2 Programme requirements
4.3 Programme details
4.4 Grading scheme and, if available, grade distribution guidance
4.5 Overall classification of the qualification
5.1 Access to further study
5.2 Professional status
6.1 Additional information
6.2 Further information sources
4. Information on the contents and results gained
Learning outcomes
Transcript of records
Do not leave empty
5. Information on the function of qualification
Allows very personalized information. Be careful with internet references!
6. Additional information

14. Information sections and sub-sections
Date/Signature/Capacity/Official stamp or seal
Information up to date, developed centrally, HE system diagram and comments provided where possible NQF described
7. Certification of the Supplement
8. Information on the Higher Education System

15. Diploma Supplement and Joint Degrees
Name of qualification and title conferred (in original)
Is the title protected by law
Indicate if it is a JD
Name and status of awarding institution
Names of institutions issuing degree
whether they undergone quality assurance and/or accreditation procedure
Name and status of institution if different from 2.3 administering studies
The section should contain detailed information depending on JP model and mobility scheme used in it
Mode of study
How programme was undertaken: full-time, e-learning which partners), placements …
Programme details/ grading scheme
What parts of the qualification have been earned at which institution
Information on all grading schemes used should be provided
Additional information
Note whether qualification is a joint or double/multiple degree
Consortium agreement and arrangements for QA might be referred to
Information on the national HE system
References to the HE systems whose institutions are involved in JP provision
2.1
2.3
2.4
4.1
4.3;
4.4
6.1 8

16. Maintaining DS requirements, improving information
Monitoring DS
Ability to provide
Personalized information
Preserving structure
Reaction to changing milieu
(Part8)
Retaining requirements of issuing DS
(automatic
Free, to all)
Alumni and feedbacks on recognition
Quality of information
Ability to provide personalised information – not cared for at the moment, therefore only a few institutions bother to provide it. (even courses taken abroad)
Preserving structure – the label requirement
Reaction to changing milieu (part 8) – may not always depend on us. Could be, and in most countries is a national requirement, especially in the cases where DS decisions were taken by the ministry
Retaining requirements – among the label requirements, but institutional decisions might be strange
Alumni – be attentive whether some of the DS information has to be clarified
Maintaining DS requirements, improving information

17. Problems as found in DS label applications:
Problems as found by Bologna process implementation report 2012:
DS issued automatically only in 25 countries. In other 22 issues upon request
Some HE systems charge for the DS
Only 7 countries monitor the use of DS by employers (issue of awareness)
Descriptions of HE systems in part 8 are not exhaustive
Less than half checked countries’ DS s show QA status of the institution ???
Only 1/3 of the DSs show the necessary access qualification
Learning outcomes are either not mentioned or underdeveloped.
Problems as found in DS label applications:
The DS does not follow official model
Changed or missing preamble
No proofs that DS is issued to ALL students and Free of charge
The courses taken abroad are not indicated with the original titles (not traceable)
Not clear what credits are used
Confusing translation of degree titles

18. Stage of implementation of the Diploma Supplement, 2010/11
Every graduate receives a DS in the EU/CoE/UNESCO format in a widely spoken European language, automatically & free of charge
issued to every graduate upon request & free of charge
issued to some graduates OR
in some programmes free of charge
issued to some graduates OR in some programmes for a fee
In many cases, Diploma Supplements do not provide the expected information. Wider dissemination of the explanatory notes & training of staff needed.
Source: BFUG questionnaire, 2011

19. Diploma Supplement revision 2015-2018
Not all countries issue DS automatically
Learning outcomes are not included or well defined
intended purpose is not clear
Language used is not clear
Format is not flexible
DS label should continue
Need for digitization
Conclusions of BFUG secretariat ( working group):

20. General guidelines Remember
Explanatory note/preamble should be kept
Recommended structure should be preserved
Name and status of the institution and classification of the award should be presented in original language
Issued centrally at the institution
Measures to prevent forgery
Section 8 – max 2 pages and describe HE system at the time of award of qualification
Careful translations
Quality assurance systems indicated
Remember
DS has no legal validity or guarantee the status of the institution, award, or recognition
as part of the national higher education system