Honorary Degrees

Do you know someone who has made a major contribution to academic, regional or national life? Have you considered nominating them for an honorary degree of the University of Birmingham? Nominations may be made by anyone who is a student, alumnus, employee, member of honorary staff or lay member of Council of the University.

Honorary Degrees

The University seeks to honour people through the award of Honorary Degrees, which are normally conferred at one of our Degree Congregations in July or December. In conferring the honour, we bring interesting people into the University, as a basis for further development of their relationship with the University and to provide an inspiration to those who are graduating.  

How do I make a nomination?

Nominations may be made by anyone who is a student, alumnus, employee, member of honorary staff or lay member of Council of the University.

Please note that an individual may not nominate themselves for consideration for an honorary degree.

All nominations are welcome, but you are asked to consider the criteria for eligibility which are part of the Guidance on Nominations for Honorary Degrees (PDF - 29KB) before submitting a nomination. The List of Honorary Graduates since 2000 provides an indication of the standard of nominations. 

All valid nominations will be considered by the Honorary Degrees Committee, which will subsequently make recommendations to Senate. 

The next meeting of Honorary Degrees Committee will take place on 14th February 2023. Nomination forms must be submitted by 17th January 2023 in order to be considered at the meeting.  However, nominations may be submitted at any time and will be considered for the next available meeting.

The Nomination Form should be sent to Chris Ellison, Secretary to the Honorary Degrees Committee, Registrar & Secretary’s Office, by post or email.

Contact details

Chris Ellison
Governance Officer
E-mail: c.ellison@bham.ac.uk