Honorary master’s degrees
An honorary degree is one of Higher Education's most significant accolades. The University grants honorary degrees to individuals of superior merit. Honorary master’s degrees are a means of recognising exceptional and direct contributions by staff to the life of the University community.
The Honorary Degrees Committee is a joint committee of Senate and Council and is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor. Senate will approve the awards.
Who can nominate
The Committee invites staff, students and alumni to submit nominations for honorary master’s degrees. Nominations from external proposers cannot be accepted unless the nomination is supported by a University member of staff. Students should also seek a University staff member to second and support their nomination before submitting the form to the Committee.
Nomination criteria and eligibility
The Committee will consider whether nominees meet the following criteria:
- Honorary master’s degrees are an academic award celebrating University staff who have made exceptional and direct contributions to the life of the University community, as perceived by its community.
- All staff (academic and professional services) are eligible. Nominations should show how contributions of individuals have had a positive and sustained impact on the life of the University community.
- Awards can be made posthumously.
- Awards should recognise the importance of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity.
Self-nominations are not eligible unless supported by a member of University staff.
Further guidance on the above criteria is included within the nomination form.
Make a nomination
Please do give thought to staff whom you have encountered and who have made a significant contribution to the life of the University community.
You can submit a nomination using the nomination form. Guidance on completing the form can be found within the document.
Nominations can be made at any time during the year. The Committee meets twice per year to consider nominations, in March and October.
Read the profiles of recent honorary graduates and find out more about them.
Our honorary graduates 1966 to present.
Other awards
Before submitting your nomination for an honorary master’s degree, you may wish to consider the other awards that are bestowed by the University, as follows:
- Honorary Doctorate Degrees are academic awards celebrating excellence in thought-leadership and the resulting impact, in a field that is recognised nationally or internationally.
- President's Awards honour individuals who have made an exceptional and sustained contribution to the University, the city of Bath or the region. The award also aims to recognise members of the University community who have had a significant impact on other people’s lives whether locally, nationally or internationally.
The Honorary Degrees Committee also recommends to Senate the award of the Chancellor’s Medal; an annual award which rewards outstanding service to the University by individuals who have made a valuable contribution to its life and work that is not directly academic in nature.