Diploma Supplement (DS) is an international supplement to the final degree diploma which gives supplementary description of the qualification obtained by the candidate. This is not a substitute for the final diploma, but a supplement to it.
The intention is to “secure a fair academic and professional recognition of the qualification across frontiers (“international transparency”)”. All students studying in Norway can obtain a Diploma Supplement from their institution.
DS follows a specific setup, and is divided into eight sections. Section eight, which describes the system of higher education in the given country, is a fixed common text for all DS issued in the given country. You can find a description of the Norwegian education system (section 8 in DS) in the menu on the right-hand side.
With regards to completed degree studies in European countries, it is useful to include a DS in connection with job applications or further studies in Norway.
History
In 1996, a work group was appointed at the initiative of the European Commission, the European Council and UNESCO/CEPES, to develop a Diploma Supplement. The result of the work conducted by this group was presented in 1998. A report from pilot projects and a model document with an explanatory amendment were presented.
In 1999, the UNESCO/European council convention on recognition of qualifications regarding higher education (The Lisbon Convention), came into force. In the Lisbon Convention, Diploma Supplement is treated as a separate article under section 9.
Implementation in Norway:
As of spring 2002, Norway has introduced a statutory issuance of Diploma Supplement to all who are issued a final diploma of completed education ( § 3-11 (1) of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges). DS is already an integrated part of the electronical registration systems for students at Norwegian higher educational institutions, FS (Common student system) and MSTAS.
Diploma Supplement is free for candidates in Norway.