Diploma Supplement

The
#Diploma Supplement: Summary

The "Diploma Supplement" (DS) is a text with standardized information to describe  the content of academic credentials  (degrees, certificates, examinations; in general: "diplomas") and related qualifications to be attached as a „supplement“ to the official documetation of such academic awards.

The  DS is a European initiative jointly proposed, in 1998/99, by  the European Union, the Council of Europe, and by UNESCO/ CEPES, which has meanwhile been adopted by most European countries.  The purpose of the DS is to facilitate the international assessment and evaluation of academic qualifications for both academic and professional purposes. The standard version of the DS is issued in English.

The  information to be given in the DS are defined  in the  European Diploma Supplement Model  Aside from  personal  data, the DS provides information pertaining to the type and level  of the qualification awarded, the status of the institution awardinmg the qualification, and detailed information on the program of study in which the qualification was obtained. (admission requirements, program  requirements, etc.). The  DS is  certified with reference to the original documents to which it refers. The concluding section provided a unified  summary description of the respective national higher education system ("National Statement").

At the European level, the then Confederation of European Rectors' Conferences (1998) and Ministers of Education of European countries (Bologna-Declaration, 19.06.1999) have recommended the introduction of the DS to promote international academic and professional mobility.


Introduction in Germany

The introduction of the DS by German institutions of higher education was recommended at an early point (1999) by both the Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK) - German Rectors' Conference- and the Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK) - Standing Conference of Ministers of Education of the German States -. 

Since then, the DS has also been officially incorporated into the requirements for the documentation of academic awards and as an element of the accreditation procedure for study programs.

To assist institutions in the initial administrative work to introduce and issue the DS, the German Rectors' Conference provides a software Diploma Supplement Deutschland (DSD) which, while fully compatible with the European Diploma Supplement Model, is geared to take account of certain specific documentary needs of the German system.

Promotion activities as well as conceptual and technical support for institutions are offered by the German Rectors' Confernce; their organization is currently integrated with promotion activities in the context of ECTS and the Bologna process.

German Rectors' Conference- International Department/ C5
[dsdinfo@hrk.de] Fax: +49/0228/887-181

HRK/ C5 - 04.04