The University
Honorary Degrees
The University’s Statutes provide for the conferment of titles of degrees honoris causa ('as a mark of honour') on "members of the Royal Family, British subjects who are of conspicuous merit or have done good service to the State or to the University, and foreigners of distinction."
Honorary Doctorates (also known as doctorates honoris causa) are the highest honour the University can bestow. The Chancellor of the University confers Honorary Doctorates upon a small group of exceptionally distinguished individuals - usually about eight - in a single annual Congregation dedicated to the purpose, in Cambridge’s Senate-House. The ceremony usually takes place in June. Honorary Doctorates are not conferred during ordinary Degree Congregations.
The University of Cambridge has been conferring honorary degrees for some 500 years. One of the earliest recorded ceremonies was in 1493, when the University honoured the poet John Skelton.
Below is an audio slideshow featuring interviews with the Honorary Graduates of 2010.
- Related links
- Honorary degree 2011 nominations
The title of this document is:
The University
URL:
http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/degrees/honorary/