What is the Diploma Supplement?
It is a complementary document prepared to enhance international transparency in higher education; it facilitates the recognition of knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired through a diploma, degree, or certificate at an academic and professional level. This document is issued in addition to a higher education diploma and provides explanatory information about the level, structure, scope, content, and status of the education successfully completed by the person whose name appears on the original diploma.
The Diploma Supplement does not contain any equivalence, recognition, or value judgment. Its main purpose is to ensure that diplomas are more understandable and comparable by reducing time, cost, and loss of effort. It is also designed to be adaptable to local and national needs.
The Diploma Supplement is developed in collaboration with the European Commission, the Council of Europe, and UNESCO, and is prepared according to a standard template created by a joint board formed by these institutions.
Sections of the Diploma Supplement
The Diploma Supplement consists of a total of eight sections:
- Identification details of the person entitled to receive the Diploma Supplement
- Competence or degree that forms the basis of the Diploma Supplement
- Level of the acquired competence
- Content of the education and the results obtained
- Function and fields of use of the acquired competence
- Additional information
- Official approval of the Diploma Supplement
- General information about the national higher education system
When preparing the Diploma Supplement, the verification and formalization processes applied to the diploma itself are also applied to the Diploma Supplement.
What the Diploma Supplement is Not?
The Diploma Supplement;
- Does not replace a resume (CV),
- Is not an alternative to a transcript or diploma,
- Does not have the quality of a document that guarantees academic or professional recognition on its own.
Advantages of the Diploma Supplement for Students
- Provides a diploma that is easier to read and compare abroad.
- Explains the student's academic background and the knowledge and skills acquired in detail.
- Facilitates access to education and employment opportunities internationally.
Why is the Diploma Supplement Necessary?
Today, diploma and certification structures are rapidly diversifying worldwide. In parallel with these changes, countries continuously update their education systems and success assessment methods. Increasing international mobility highlights the need for the accurate and fair recognition of the knowledge, competencies, and skills individuals possess.
However, diplomas and similar documents often do not provide sufficient explanatory information on their own. This situation makes it difficult to understand the level and function of diplomas correctly. The Diploma Supplement addresses this deficiency by providing detailed explanations of learning outcomes and helps prevent incorrect or incomplete evaluations.
Starting from the 2022-2023 academic year, a diploma supplement is issued to all students graduating from our university.