Study on the Diploma Supplement as seen by its users - naric

I.III Views and expectations of the project partners on the Diploma Supplement
For this section each representative of the organisation involved in the project was asked to
explain their basic reading of the Diploma Supplement.
Credential Evaluators (ENIC-NARIC)
The ENIC-NARIC network appreciates the Diploma Supplement as a useful tool for
assessing higher education qualifications from different countries for academic and
professional recognition purposes. The ENIC-NARIC centres have the expertise and
experience in dealing with the academic recognition of qualifications but recognition
statements are increasingly being requested to prove professional status. When assessing
foreign qualifications the NARIC centres examine the diploma and transcript of the applicant.
The Diploma Supplement provides important additional information on the diploma in
question, in particular in assessing its academic level and rights, as well as the professional
status conferred by the qualification. Chapter 3 of the Diploma Supplement is of particular
use to Credential Evaluators when evaluating a certification in establishing the level, duration
and entrance requirements of a programme. Furthermore, Chapter 5 is also crucial in
determining both academic and professional rights that are conferred with a qualification and
which may improve mobility of both graduates and professionals. Moreover, Chapter 8 which
outlines the national higher education system of the country concerned is of high importance
to credential evaluators when further information is needed about the context of the
qualification in question for example for those countries with binary systems or important
reforms.
Quality Assurance Agencies (ENQA)
For quality assurance agencies such as the members of ENQA, the Diploma Supplement is
an international and intercultural communication tool that can contribute, as a source of
information, to mutual accreditation and evaluation decisions. It is viewed as an outcome of a
production process within a higher education institution and is a public tool of information.
ENQA sought to determine whether the chapters outlined in the Diploma Supplement are
understood and respected, thus shedding light on the internal quality assurance mechanisms
put in place within the institution in view of the production process of this document. Section
2.3 of the Diploma Supplement regarding the status of the awarding institution is particularly
important to quality assurance agencies in establishing by whom it’s activities have been
accredited and/or evaluated. Chapter 3 of the Diploma Supplement which describes the
level, length and entrance requirements of a programme is of the utmost importance to
quality assurance agencies for example in determining whether the Bologna three cycle
reforms have been introduced at the institution and whether binary systems exist.
Furthermore, the outlining and expansion of information concerning Qualifications
Frameworks (QFs) proves very useful for these agencies as such frameworks are very often
linked to the accreditation and evaluation of a study programme. Quality assurance agencies
generally look to gain further information on the aims and objectives of a course such as the
content, length, learning outcomes and requirements of a study programme.
In brief, in the perspective of quality assurance agencies there are three ways to look at the
Diploma Supplement: 1) as a possible tool with regards to the accreditation of programmes
(mutual recognition of evaluation/ accreditation decisions), 2) as a component of the external
communication of the institution, 3) as an insight into the internal and external quality
“Diploma supplement as seen by its users” 9