The Diploma Supplement (DS) is a complementary document, which is attached to a higher education   diploma and provides a standardized description of the nature, context,   content, level and status of the studies completed by its holder. This   document aims to improve international transparency and also facilitate   the academic and professional recognition of qualifications (diplomas,   degrees, certificates etc.).     The DS is produced by national institutions according to a template that   has been developed by a Joint European Commission – Council of Europe –   UNESCO working party. This document is an important part of the   European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and it does not only help the   definition of the phases of the graduates’ education understood by   different education systems, but also gives detailed information about   the degrees, levels, and vocational competencies of the graduate.    The DS is composed of eight sections, which are namely: 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. All   these sections should be provided by the DS and if not, an explanation   should be given.     A description of the national higher education system within, which the   individual named on the original qualification graduated has to be   attached to the DS. This description that provided by the National   Academic Recognition Information Centers (NARICs) is available on the   website: www.enic-naric.net