Three terms appear constantly in discussions of academic and professional recognition: honorary degree, honorary professorship, and honorary award. They sound similar, are sometimes used interchangeably, and are frequently confused. Yet each represents a distinct category of recognition with different awarding bodies, different purposes, and different implications for how the recipient should present themselves. This plain glossary explains each term clearly, compares them side by side, and provides practical guidance for anyone who holds — or is evaluating — one of these recognitions in 2026.
Honorary Degree: Definition and Key Features
An honorary degree — also called an honorary doctorate or honoris causa degree — is a recognition conferred by a university to acknowledge distinguished achievement, leadership, service, or professional contribution. It does not require coursework, examinations, or a dissertation.
Who Awards It
Honorary degrees are awarded by universities and degree-granting institutions. In most jurisdictions, only institutions with legal authority to award degrees can confer honorary degrees. In the United States, this means institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In the United Kingdom, it means institutions holding degree-awarding powers. In India, only universities established under a Central, State, or Provincial Act may confer them.
What It Recognizes
Honorary degrees recognize a documented body of work and its impact. Common categories include:
- Doctor of Laws (LL.D.): Governance, public service, law, justice administration
- Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.): Literary, scholarly, or humanities achievement
- Doctor of Science (D.Sc.): Contributions to science, engineering, or medicine
- Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.): Humanitarian, educational, or public service contributions
- Doctor of Divinity (D.D.): Service to the church or religious life
How It Is Used
The honorary degree is typically denoted with post-nominal notation such as “(Hon.)” or “(h.c.)”. In most jurisdictions, recipients should not use the title “Dr.” as if it represents an earned qualification. The degree should be listed under “Honors & Awards” on a CV, not under “Education.”
Honorary Professorship: Definition and Key Features
An honorary professorship is a title conferred upon an individual in recognition of their special contribution to the subject areas associated with a faculty’s academic activities. Unlike an earned professorship, which represents the highest academic rank achieved through scholarly achievement and rigorous assessment, an honorary professorship recognizes professional knowledge, leadership, teaching, research, or public contribution.
Who Awards It
Honorary professorships are awarded by universities, typically through a specific faculty or school. The appointment is usually made by the institution’s governing body on the recommendation of the faculty. At Loughborough University, for example, the title of Honorary Distinguished Professor is awarded to individuals of professorial standing or those with recognized national and international eminence in their field. At Imperial College London, honorary titles are conferred on executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, or experts whose connection to the university is considered appropriate.
What It Recognizes
Honorary professorships recognize professional expertise relevant to a specific academic discipline or faculty. They are often awarded to:
- Industry experts and practitioners
- Researchers with demonstrated impact in their field
- Professionals who have contributed to teaching or curriculum development
- Individuals who facilitate knowledge exchange between industry and academia
How It Is Used
Honorary professors are not university staff or employees. The title is typically time-limited — often three to five years — and subject to renewal. Recipients should present the title with the institution’s name, for example: “Honorary Professor at [Institution].” In most jurisdictions, “Prof.” should not be used as if it represents an earned academic rank.
Honorary Award: Definition and Key Features
An honorary award is the broadest category. It refers to any recognition conferred as an honor, without the academic or institutional specificity of an honorary degree or honorary professorship. Honorary awards can be conferred by universities, professional bodies, charitable organizations, cultural institutions, or other entities.
Who Awards It
Honorary awards can be conferred by a wide range of organizations:
- Universities and colleges — may confer honorary fellowships, honorary memberships, or other non-degree honors
- Professional bodies — may confer honorary fellowships or honorary memberships
- Charitable organizations — may confer honorary positions or lifetime achievement awards
- Cultural institutions — may confer honorary patronships or fellowships
- Governments and civic bodies — may confer honorary citizenships or keys to the city
What It Recognizes
Honorary awards recognize a wide range of contributions depending on the awarding body. They may honor:
- Lifetime achievement in a field
- Service to a community or organization
- Philanthropy or charitable contribution
- Cultural or artistic achievement
- Professional excellence
How It Is Used
The presentation of an honorary award depends entirely on the awarding body. Some honorary awards carry specific post-nominal letters (e.g., “Hon. FRS” for Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society). Others are simply described in biographical text. The key principle is accuracy: the recipient should describe the award in a way that makes clear it is honorary, not earned.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Honorary Degree
- Awarded by: Universities and degree-granting institutions
- Nature: Academic recognition
- Typical form: Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Science, Doctor of Divinity
- Typical notation: “(Hon.)” or “(h.c.)” after the degree name
- Permanence: Usually permanent
- Title usage: “Dr.” generally not permitted without clarification
Honorary Professorship
- Awarded by: Universities, through specific faculties
- Nature: Academic title recognizing professional expertise
- Typical form: “Honorary Professor,” “Honorary Distinguished Professor,” “Honorary Practice Fellow”
- Typical notation: “Honorary Professor at [Institution]”
- Permanence: Usually time-limited (3–5 years), subject to renewal
- Title usage: “Prof.” generally not permitted without clarification
Honorary Award
- Awarded by: Universities, professional bodies, charities, cultural institutions, civic bodies
- Nature: Broad category of recognition
- Typical form: Honorary Fellowship, Honorary Membership, Lifetime Achievement Award, Honorary Citizenship
- Typical notation: Varies by awarding body
- Permanence: Varies — may be permanent, time-limited, or ceremonial
- Title usage: Depends on the award; should always be described as honorary
Common Confusions and How to Avoid Them
Confusion 1: “Honorary degree” and “honorary award” are the same thing
Clarification: An honorary award is a broad category that includes honorary degrees, but it also includes many other forms of recognition. All honorary degrees are honorary awards, but not all honorary awards are honorary degrees.
Confusion 2: An honorary professorship is a type of honorary degree
Clarification: They are distinct. An honorary degree is a recognition conferred at graduation or convocation. An honorary professorship is a title conferred by a faculty, typically with a time-limited term. They may be held by the same person, but they are separate recognitions.
Confusion 3: All honorary titles carry the same weight
Clarification: The weight and significance of an honorary recognition depend entirely on the awarding body. An honorary degree from a prestigious university carries more weight than one from an unaccredited institution. An honorary fellowship from a leading professional body may be more significant in some fields than an honorary degree.
Confusion 4: “Honorary” means “not real”
Clarification: Honorary recognitions are real honors. They are legitimate. The word “honorary” distinguishes them from earned qualifications, not from legitimacy. An honorary degree from Harvard is a real honor, even though it is not an earned degree.
Confusion 5: Honorary awards can be used as qualifications
Clarification: Honorary recognitions should never be presented as academic qualifications, professional licenses, or earned credentials. They are honors, not qualifications.
Practical Guidance: How to Present Each Recognition
On a CV or Resume
- Honorary degree: List under “Honors & Awards,” not under “Education.” Include the qualifier: “Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa), [Institution], [Year].”
- Honorary professorship: List under “Honors & Awards” or “Academic Appointments,” with the institution and term: “Honorary Professor, [Institution], [Year–Year].”
- Honorary award: List under “Honors & Awards” with the awarding body and year: “[Award Name], [Awarding Body], [Year].”
In Professional Correspondence
- Honorary degree: Use post-nominal notation: “Jane Doe, D.H.L. (h.c.).” Avoid the “Dr.” prefix unless local convention permits and you clarify the honorary nature.
- Honorary professorship: Use “Honorary Professor at [Institution]” rather than simply “Prof.”
- Honorary award: Describe it clearly: “Recipient of [Award Name] from [Awarding Body].”
In Conversation
- Be transparent: If asked, explain that the recognition is honorary, not earned.
- Be accurate: Do not imply professional authority or academic rank that the recognition does not confer.
- Be proud but honest: Honorary recognitions are significant achievements. Present them with pride — and with accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an honorary degree and an honorary award?
An honorary degree is a specific form of academic recognition conferred by a university. An honorary award is a broader category that includes honorary degrees but also includes fellowships, memberships, and other recognitions conferred by various organizations.
What is an honorary professorship award?
An honorary professorship is a title conferred by a university faculty in recognition of professional expertise or contribution to an academic discipline. It is not a degree and does not create an employment relationship.
Can I hold both an honorary degree and an honorary professorship?
Yes. They are separate recognitions and can be held concurrently. For example, a professional might receive an honorary doctorate for lifetime achievement and later be appointed an honorary professor for their expertise in a specific field.
Is an honorary award the same as an honorary degree?
No. An honorary degree is a specific type of honorary award. All honorary degrees are honorary awards, but not all honorary awards are honorary degrees.
Can I use “Dr.” or “Prof.” with an honorary recognition?
In most jurisdictions, honorary recipients should not use “Dr.” or “Prof.” as if these titles represent earned qualifications. If used at all, they should be clarified with “(Hon.)” or “(h.c.).”
How do I verify an honorary recognition?
Verify the awarding body’s legitimacy. For honorary degrees, check the institution’s accreditation status. For honorary professorships, verify the institution and faculty. For honorary awards, verify the awarding organization’s reputation and criteria.
Are honorary recognitions worth listing on a CV?
Yes, they are worth listing under “Honors & Awards.” They represent significant achievements. The key is to present them accurately as honorary, not as earned qualifications.
What is the most prestigious honorary recognition?
Prestige depends on the awarding body and the field. An honorary degree from a leading university, an honorary fellowship from a top professional body, or an honorary professorship at a prestigious institution can all be highly significant. The value depends on context.
Final Thoughts (2026)
Honorary degrees, honorary professorships, and honorary awards are three distinct categories of recognition. Understanding the differences helps recipients present themselves accurately and helps observers interpret credentials correctly.
Key takeaways:
- Honorary degree: Academic recognition conferred by a university; usually permanent; denoted with “(Hon.)” or “(h.c.)”
- Honorary professorship: Academic title conferred by a university faculty; usually time-limited; recognizes professional expertise
- Honorary award: Broad category of recognition conferred by any organization; varies widely in form and significance
- All three are honors, not qualifications — they should be presented accurately and transparently
- Title usage is regulated — “Dr.” and “Prof.” are generally reserved for earned qualifications
For anyone who holds an honorary recognition, the honor itself is significant. Presenting it accurately — with the correct terminology and appropriate qualifiers — demonstrates integrity and respect for the traditions these recognitions represent.
— The honorary-doctor.com team, 2026