Diploma Supplement

The Diploma Supplement

The Diploma Supplement (DS) is being issued starting the academic year 2006/2007 at the SMK University of Applied Social Sciences:

  • automatically to every student graduating from the SMK University of Applied Sciences along with his/her original diploma or degree,
  • DS is free of charge,
  • DS is bilingual (in English and in Lithuanian language).

Content:

The Diploma Supplement is composed of eight sections (information identifying the holder of the qualification, information identifying the qualification, information on the level of the qualification, information on the contents and results gained, information on the function of the qualification, additional information, certification of the Supplement, information on the national higher education system).

The Diploma Supplement is not:

  • substitute for the original qualification or a transcript,
  • automatic system that guarantees recognition,
  • Curriculum Vitae.

Format and protective elements:

Format and content of the Diploma Supplement was initiated and developed by UNESCO and revised jointly by UNESCO working party - the European Commission and the Council of Europe.

At the SMK University of Applied Social Sciences the Diploma Supplement is issued as a fold blank form – format A4. The blank form contents a lot of protective elements, which could prevent it’s misuse.

Meaning of DS:

The Diploma Supplement is a document attached to a higher education qualification aiming at improving international transparency and at facilitating the academic and professional recognition of qualifications.

The Diploma Supplement:

  • explains the contents of the qualifications delivered by higher education institutions,
  • helps to ensure that higher education qualifications are more easily understood, especially outside the country where they were awarded,
  • accommodates rapid changes in qualifications,
  • aids mobility, access and lifelong learning,
  • promotes fair and informed judgements about qualifications.

Example of filled Diploma Supplement issued at the College of Social Sciences