The Diploma Supplement is an addition to the degree certificate or diploma, the purpose of being to improve international transparency and facilitate academic and professional recognition of qualifications and skills. It consists of a description of the nature, level, context and status of the studies successfully accomplished by the holder of said Diploma to which the Supplement is attached. From it should be excluded all information that may contain any sort of evaluation, statements of equivalence or hint of recognizance.

The Diploma Supplement’s objective is to be a flexible and non-regular instrument, meant to save time, financial resources and work, and still be able to adapt to local needs. It is also a document meant to induce mobility, by including additional information on any and all qualifications of the holder, and so should be produced in the holder’s native language plus one of the E.U. official languages.

 The National Academic Recognition and Information Centers (NARIC) of each country issue the Diploma Supplement based in a model created by a joint work group integrating the European Commission, the European Council and the UNESCO European center for higher education (UNESCO/CEPES). It is composed of eight chapters which contain information about the holder’s identity, type and level of qualification, its contents, results obtained, objective of said qualification and, also additional information, supplement authentication and information on the holder’s native higher education system.

FAQ:

What isn’t a Diploma Supplement?

• It is not a C.V; 
• It is not a replacement or transcription of the degree certificate; 
• It is not an automated system that guaranties recognition.

What is its added value for students?

• A more clear qualification information easily compared abroad; 
• An exact description of higher education studies achieved and skills obtained during those studies; 
• A more fair and balanced awarding of qualifications recognition; 
• An easier access to employment opportunities and the persecution of studies abroad; 
•  A contribution for a better insertion in the labor market.

Why is it needed?

• Everywhere around the world new study areas are emerging and countries are constantly introducing changes to their teaching systems, qualification degrees and educational structures.
• Simultaneously, European mobility is an ever growing phenomenon thus making the fair recognition of qualifications an expectation of nowadays European citizens.

The Diploma Supplement addresses these challenges as it:

• Promotes transparency in Higher Education; 
• Adapts to the rapid evolution of academic degrees;
• Promotes mobility, lifelong learning and access to it; 
• Promotes a fair and precise evaluation of academic and Professional qualifications.

ISPA as adopted its own model, respecting the guidelines and recommendations of the European Commission, the European Council and the UNESCO European center for higher education (UNESCO/CEPES).

In detail, as to what concerns information to be included in the Supplement, ISPA as defined the following activities and information as eligible:

Characterization of curricular and extracurricular training periods (places, supervisors, duration), participation in ISPA’s non-academic structures previewed in ISPA’s regulations up to the date of the issuing of the Supplement; participation in ISPA’s academic structures previewed in ISPA’s regulations up to the date of the issuing of the Supplement, activities as a member of the student association;  Academic merit awards; Non curricular training when validated by ISPA and within the scope of partnerships/agreements established; Participation in extracurricular papers/projects/studies when supervised and validated by ISPA’s Scientific Council, Attendance of courses by ISPA’s Lifelong Training Department; Participation in scientific publishing; Participation in international mobility programs; Participation in the organization of Scientific, Cultural or Sporting events if recognized by ISPA.

Map of eligible activities for the Diploma Supplement:

For the insertion of added information in the Diploma Supplement you should use this model.

The Diploma Supplement is automatically issued in Portuguese and English and free of charge for all students upon their graduation.

Examples of Diploma Supplements:

Example 1st Cycle (PT) / (EN)

Example 2nd Cycle (PT) / (EN)

Example Integrated Master (PT) / (EN)

Information on the Portuguese Higher Education System