New Publication: Implementation of the Europass Diploma Supplement across Irish higher education institutions

The Diploma Supplement is part of the suite of Europass tools and is a key resource for aiding the transparency and recognition of higher education qualifications. The Diploma Supplement document is issued in a standardised format and contains information on a graduate’s academic achievements and the national education system where the qualification was obtained. For graduates, this standardised, detailed information makes it easier to communicate and explain their qualification to employers, authorities, and educational institutions at home and abroad.

As the Irish National Europass Centre (NEC), QQI is responsible for promoting the Diploma Supplement, supporting higher education institutions (HEIs) that issue/wish to start issuing the document, and updating the template to ensure accurate information is provided on the education system in Ireland. A key deliverable of the Europass and European Qualifications Framework – National Coordination Point (EQF-NCP) 2024 - 2026 project for Ireland is the revision of the Section 8 of the Irish Diploma Supplement template to reflect recent changes to the Irish education landscape.

In 2024, as host of the Irish NEC, QQI conducted a study on the implementation of the Diploma Supplement across Irish higher education institutions (HEIs). An online survey was administered to gather information on how the Diploma Supplement is issued, promoted, and used by institution for admissions. Data collection for the survey took place between August and November 2024. In total, 16 designated awarding bodies (DABs) and 35 higher education providers were contacted to participate in survey. Overall, 30 surveys were completed resulting in a response rate of 59%. The results from the study relate to a sample of 15 DABs and 15 HE providers.

A report has been produced which provides context to the Diploma Supplement, gives details on the methodology employed, outlines the key findings, and presents the next steps for the work on the Diploma Supplement during the Europass EQF-NCP 2024 - 2026 project for Ireland.

Key findings from the report include:

• For over one-third of institutions (40%, n=12), it was unknown when the Diploma Supplement template they issue to graduates was last updated by the institution.
• Overall, 90% (n=27) of the institution that responded to the survey issue the Diploma Supplement for major awards.
• Of the 27 institutions which issue the Diploma Supplement for major awards:
• It was found that operationally the method for issuing it varied across institutions with the majority (67%, n=18) automatically issuing it and one-third of the institutions (33%, n=9) providing the Diploma Supplement to graduates only when requested.
• It is more common for institutions to issue the Diploma Supplement in digital (70%, n=19) than physical format (30%, n=8).
• 26 out of the 27 institutions stated that they issued the Diploma Supplement free of charge.
• Four out of every five (80%, n=24) institutions noted that they do accept the Diploma Supplement as evidence of a qualification as part of their admission procedures

The findings highlight wide implementation of the Diploma Supplement across HEIs in Ireland and the results support the commitment that the Diploma Supplement is to be issued to graduates free of charge. Positively most responses from institutions show they encourage the use of the Diploma Supplement as evidence of a qualification and accept the document as evidence of a qualification.

The feedback received shows an openness for engagement between HEIs and QQI on the Diploma Supplement and provided insights on plans by several institutions to move towards issuing the Diploma Supplement in digital format and automatically.

Overall, the study provides a useful baseline to track progress on the implementation of the Diploma Supplement in Ireland, and the results will help to inform future actions surrounding the Diploma Supplement under the Europass EQF-NCP Ireland 2024 - 2026 project cycle.

The full report is available to download below.

Upcoming webinar

QQI will be presenting on the findings from the study at the Diploma Supplement Network Autumn webinar on 27 November 2025. The webinar is free to attend and open to all interested. Please note registration is required in advance.