Diploma supplement

The Diploma Supplement was developed by the European Commission, the Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEPES.

It is a legal document that provides an independent evaluation of the nature, level, context, content and status of the completed study programme as it is described on the graduate's higher professional education (HBO) certificate. The text of DS is in no way a judgement of value and relates solely to the programme completed by the student in question.

Since 1998, all students at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS/HvA) automatically receive a Diploma Supplement when graduating. The DS is issued free of charge. The diploma (HBO degree certificate) and accompanying list of marks are issued in the Dutch language if the study programme is taught in Dutch, and in English if the programme is taught in English. The Diploma Supplement is only issued in English and also provides all the degree certificate and information, including the overview of grades.

The rationale behind the use of the Diploma Supplement is that it is a service to students so that they can clarify abroad what they have studied and what level they have achieved in the process. Students benefit from the Diploma Supplement both in terms of admission to further studies and also in terms of finding a job.