What Is an Honorary Degree? Everything You Need to Know

What Is an Honorary Degree?

An honorary degree is an academic degree awarded by a university or other degree-granting institution that has waived all the usual requirements [citation:5]. It is also known by the Latin phrase Honoris Causa, meaning “for the sake of honour.”

Unlike earned doctorates—such as a PhD, Ed.D., or M.D.—which require years of rigorous coursework, research, and examination, an honorary degree is conferred as a way of honouring individuals for their outstanding contribution to a specific field or society in general [citation:3]. Honorary doctorate degrees do not require a programme of study with defined learning outcomes or set standards. In the absence of clearly defined learning outcomes, approved learning programme, and set assessment protocols, such degrees cannot be designated as qualifications but as honours [citation:3].

In many countries, honorary degrees are typically doctorates and are often conferred during regular graduation ceremonies, at which the recipients are invited to make an acceptance speech—an event that forms the highlight of the graduation ceremony [citation:9].

A Brief History of Honorary Degrees

The tradition of awarding honorary degrees dates back centuries. The first recorded honorary degree was awarded to Lionel Woodville in the late 1470s by the University of Oxford [citation:9]. Woodville was Dean of Exeter, brother-in-law of Edward IV, and future Bishop of Salisbury [citation:5].

In the 15th century, European universities began granting degrees Honoris Causa [citation:5]. These degrees were essentially academic peerages, granting the recipient full privileges at the university—privileges that were much more extensive than those conferred today [citation:5].

In America, the first honorary degree was awarded by Harvard University in 1692. Harvard conferred an honorary Doctor of Divinity to its president, Increase Mather [citation:5]. Harvard began awarding honorary degrees around 1700, making this a tradition spanning over three centuries.

Notable early recipients include Benjamin Franklin, who received honorary doctorates from the University of St Andrews in 1759 and the University of Oxford in 1762 for his scientific achievements and subsequently referred to himself as “Doctor Franklin” [citation:5].

Types of Honorary Degrees

Universities offer a variety of honorary degree types, typically corresponding to different fields of achievement. While specific designations vary by institution, certain types have emerged as standard across higher education.

Common Honorary Degree Types

Other Specialized Degrees

Many institutions offer additional specialized honorary degrees:

• Doctor of Fine Arts (D.F.A.): For creative contributions in architecture, design, painting, and sculpture.
• Doctor of Music (D.Mus.): For composition, theory, or music performance of rare and lasting importance [citation:6].
• Doctor of Public Service: For contributions to public service and community welfare [citation:11].
• Doctor of Education (D.Ed.): For service in education or achievement in professional education [citation:6].

In some countries, regulatory bodies have specified that valid honorary doctorates fall into a limited number of categories. Uganda’s National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), for example, specifies that honorary doctorates may be awarded as Doctor of Laws (LLD), Doctor of Letters (DLitt), or Doctor of Science (DSc) [citation:6].

How Recipients Are Selected

The selection process for honorary degrees is typically rigorous, confidential, and involves multiple levels of review. While specific procedures vary by institution, certain patterns are common across universities.

Key Selection Criteria

Universities typically evaluate nominees based on several criteria:

• Outstanding Achievement: Nominees must be distinguished, and their achievements must be both relevant and appropriate to the nominating university [citation:8]. Eligibility is restricted to persons of exceptional state, national, or international stature [citation:8].
• Connection to the University: Nominees should have a connection with the university or the university system. They may be alumni, have participated in university-based programs, partnered in scholarly activity, or assisted the university with programmatic development [citation:8].
• Excellence, Eminence, and Accomplishment: The award recognizes distinguished achievement or outstanding service [citation:10].
• Alignment with University Values: The nominee’s work should reflect the institution’s mission and values [citation:6].

Inclusivity and Diversity

Many universities actively encourage nominations that reflect diversity. Bangor University, for example, welcomes nominations “that reflect the cultural diversity and international character of the University” and encourages nominations on behalf of women and other frequently under-represented groups [citation:6].

Who Can Receive an Honorary Degree?

Eligibility for an honorary degree is generally broad but subject to important restrictions.

Generally Eligible

• Distinguished Scholars: Leading academics in all disciplines and creative minds in arts and performance [citation:10].
• Public Figures: Visionary leaders and exemplary public figures, public intellectuals, and opinion makers [citation:10].
• Community Builders: Community builders and philanthropists who have made significant contributions locally, nationally, and globally [citation:10].
• Artists and Musicians: Those with creative contributions of lasting importance.

Typically Excluded

Most universities exclude certain categories of individuals from honorary degree consideration:

• Serving Politicians: Honorary degrees are not normally awarded to those who currently hold political office [citation:10]. In Nigeria, active public officials are barred from consideration [citation:12].
• Current Employees and Students: Honorary degrees shall not be awarded to active members of the University governing board, administration, faculty, or staff for career distinction achieved at the University [citation:8].
• Previous Recipients: An individual already holding an honorary degree from the University shall not be eligible to receive a second honorary degree [citation:8].

The Nomination Process Explained

The nomination process for honorary degrees is typically confidential and involves multiple steps.

Who Can Nominate?

Any member of the University community, including faculty, administrative staff, students, alumni, and friends of the University, may nominate a qualified individual [citation:8]. Some universities also accept nominations from the public [citation:10].

What Is Required in a Nomination?

Nominations typically require supporting materials:

• Summary: A brief summary of the nominee’s most important achievements and relevance to the nominating campus [citation:8].
• Degree Type: Why the particular type of degree is being recommended [citation:8].
• Supporting Documentation: A curriculum vitae or biographical sketch and letters of support from distinguished referees [citation:10].

The Review Process

The selection process typically follows these steps:

1. Nomination: Submissions are received by a specified deadline.
2. Committee Review: An honorary degree committee reviews nominations and evaluates candidates.
3. Confidential Assessment: The committee solicits expert opinions and additional materials.
4. Recommendation: The committee recommends candidates to the university president or governing board.
5. Approval: The governing board makes the final decision [citation:10].

Limits on Awards

Many institutions cap the number of honorary degrees awarded. Some universities may award up to five per year [citation:8]. In Nigeria, institutions are restricted to awarding a maximum of three honorary doctorates during each convocation ceremony [citation:12].

Can You Use the “Dr.” Title?

One of the most frequently asked questions about honorary degrees is whether recipients may use the title “Doctor.” The answer in 2026 is clear across most countries: generally no, without clear qualifiers.

International Practice

In many countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, it is uncommon for an honorary doctor to use the formal title “Dr.” regardless of the circumstances surrounding the award [citation:5].

An early notable exception was Benjamin Franklin, who received honorary doctorates from the University of St Andrews in 1759 and the University of Oxford in 1762 and subsequently referred to himself as “Doctor Franklin” [citation:5]. However, this exception is not a precedent followed today.

2026 Regulatory Changes

Several countries have implemented explicit regulations:

• Nigeria: The Federal Government finalized an official ban on honorary degree holders prefixing “Dr.” to their names [citation:12]. The NUC guidelines specify that recipients are barred from appending “Dr.” to their names or presenting the awards as equivalent to a PhD [citation:12].
• Uganda: The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has stated that under no circumstances should recipients of honorary degrees be addressed as “Doctor” or use the suffix “PhD” [citation:6].
• Malawi: The NCHE has stated that honorary degree holders are not entitled to use the title “Dr.” or “Prof.” in personal or professional contexts [citation:3].

Proper Usage

The accepted convention for acknowledging an honorary degree is to use post-nominal designations:

• Jane Doe, D.Litt. (Hon. Causa)
• John Smith, LLD (Honoris Causa)
• Mary Johnson, D.Sc. h.c.

This approach allows individuals to celebrate their achievement while maintaining complete transparency.

2026 Regulatory Landscape

In 2026, honorary degrees are subject to increasing regulation worldwide. Governments and higher education councils have introduced or strengthened rules to protect the integrity of academic credentials.

Nigeria

In February 2026, the National Universities Commission (NUC) issued sweeping guidelines to regulate the “indiscriminate conferment and misuse” of honorary doctorates [citation:12]. Only mature universities that meet defined operational criteria are allowed to award them, and the number of honorary degrees is capped at three per convocation [citation:12]. The guidelines also ban self-nominations and bar active public officials from consideration [citation:12].

Uganda

Uganda’s NCHE has issued a firm public warning against the misuse of honorary doctorate titles. Honorary degrees are purely ceremonial and should not be equated with earned academic qualifications [citation:6].

Malawi

Malawi’s NCHE has stated that honorary degrees are not academic qualifications. They are ceremonial awards conferred after assessing the impact and significance of an individual’s contributions [citation:3].

United States

US universities maintain that the honorary doctorate is the highest honor bestowed and is not equivalent to or a replacement for an earned academic degree [citation:11]. The South Dakota Board of Regents, for example, specifies that honorary degrees do not appear on a transcript [citation:11].

Can Honorary Degrees Be Revoked?

Yes, universities have procedures for revoking honorary degrees if recipients engage in misconduct or misrepresent the status of the honour [citation:12].

In Nigeria, the NUC guidelines require universities to establish formal revocation procedures [citation:12]. The South Dakota Board of Regents allows for revocation if actions by the recipient, unknown at the time of approval, jeopardize the university’s integrity or materially impede its mission [citation:11].

Reasons for revocation can include documented evidence of criminal, unethical, or immoral behavior on the part of an awardee [citation:12].

Frequently Asked Questions