Diploma Supplements and Transcripts

What is a Diploma Supplement?

The Diploma Supplement is a document attached to a higher education certificate which aims to improve international  ‘transparency’ and facilitate the academic and professional recognition of qualifications.

It was developed by a number of groups within the European Commission, and ties in closely with the Bologna Process objective to create a system of easily readable and comparable documents.

Who is eligible for the University of Wales Diploma Supplement?

All students registered on University of Wales validated programmes from the 1st January 2005 will receive a Diploma Supplement providing they successfully complete their award.
Students who are not successful in obtaining their award, or who receive an exit qualification, will receive a University of Wales Transcript.
Students who successfully completed their award before the 1st January 2005 are eligible to receive a University of Wales Transcript on request.

Preparation of the University of Wales Diploma Supplements

Colleagues at institutions delivering validated schemes of study will need to prepare draft transcripts or diploma supplements according to the set templates for each graduating or exiting student from a University of Wales validated scheme.

Draft transcripts| and diploma supplements| should be sent to the Validation Unit via the following email address: diplomasupplementswales.ac.uk| in e-format, as email attachments and within two weeks of your examining board meeting or notification of dissertation/thesis results. Provided submitted information is accurate and within the specified timeframe, the University would normally expect to issue formal documents alongside the award certificates within four weeks of recieving the drafts.

Diploma Supplement content

The Diploma Supplement is divided into eight sections covering details about the qualification holder, the award title, level, content and function.

The Diploma Supplement contains ECTS credits – what are they?

ECTS credits are used throughout Europe to facilitate mobility and the transfer of students between institutions. In order to maintain international transparency, Diploma Supplements contain both ECTS| credits and University of Wales credits.

For a guide to ECTS/ University of Wales credits see Information on University of Wales Awards, Credits and Levels| .

For guidance notes for the preparation of transcripts and diploma supplements, see University of Wales Diploma Supplement and Transcript Appendix from the Quality Handbook.|

For further reading on the Diploma Supplement, see the Europe Unit's Guide to the Diploma Supplement|.