Honorary awards are an opportunity for Royal Holloway to live our vision and values, recognising people who are making a positive contribution to our University, local, national or global community. Each award ceremony is a chance to publicly celebrate these inspirational people, often alongside the celebration of our graduating students' own incredible academic achievements.

The awarding of honorary degrees also allows the University's schools and departments to build mutually rewarding relationships for the benefit of the awardee, the University and our students.

There are two types of honorary awards that Royal Holloway can make each year.

• An honorary degree of the University of London conferred by Royal Holloway
• An honorary fellowship of Royal Holloway, University of London

While they are certainly similar, you can find out more about what each award means at our pages on each award.

Put simply, honorary fellowships are only awarded to people already associated with Royal Holloway such as alumni or supporters of the University, and honorary degrees are awarded to people for outstanding achievements who may or may not have any previous connection with the University.

There is no hierarchy of awards and we typically confer a similar number of fellowships and degrees each year.

Simply complete the nomination form by the deadline of Friday 31 January 2025, to be considered for awards in 2026. To complete the form you will need:

• Details of the nominee including their name, professional details and an email address (for them or their organisation)
• A supporting statement of approximately 200 words detailing why your nominee deserves the award
• A statement of approximately 100 words detailing how the University might build and benefit from the relationship with the awardee
• Your details and the those of one eligible person who supports the nomination

If you require the form in an alternative format, please contact honorarynominations@royalholloway.ac.uk

Nominations for exceptional people working in these areas would be welcomed.

As a University of Social Purpose, we have identified five areas of interdisciplinary strength which thread through our work, from the skills that our graduates will be able to demonstrate to the world to the challenge-led research and impact we undertake with partners, locally and globally. Nominations for exceptional people working in these areas would be welcomed:

• Climate and Biodiversity
• Social Justice and Addressing Inequalities
• Health and Wellbeing
• Culture and Creativity
• AI and New Technologies

We are a values-led organisation, with a clear sense of who we are and what we stand for. Our values guide us in being a University of Social Purpose in all we do - including the selection of honorary awardees.

• Respectful - an inclusive community built on kindness, trust and understanding.
• Innovative - relentlessly curious and ambitious.
• Daring - challenging ourselves and others to make a positive difference in the world.
• Open - working collaboratively with integrity, honesty, and transparency.

You can nominate almost anyone for an honorary award, however the following will not normally be eligible for an honorary award from Royal Holloway:

• Current students of, and staff of Royal Holloway
• Someone who has already received an honorary award (of either type) from Royal Holloway
• Someone who has previously received an honorary degree of the University of London (honorary degree only)
• A 'serving politician' as defined in University of London Regulation 2

An honorary fellowship will not be awarded to someone with no prior connection to the University.

An honorary fellowship will not be awarded to retired staff simply for long service in employment at the University.

An honorary award will not be conferred solely in return for payment.

You cannot nominate yourself!

Full criteria and eligibility can be found via the links below.

We are keen to receive as many nominations as possible, giving us a broad and diverse range of extraordinary people to consider for an award. We encourage nominations from the following members of the University community:

• Students
• Staff members (including honorary positions)
• Alumni
• Former staff members
• Members of Council
• Honorary fellows
• Honorary graduates

Each nomination requires two eligible people to nominate, as nominator and seconder.

After the closing date (31 January 2025 for awards in 2026), all completed nominations will be collated for the University's Selections and Nominations committee for consideration and shortlisting, with a shortlist then progressing to Executive Board and the University of London for approval. The view of Academic Board on individual nominations for honorary degrees is sought before consideration of the shortlist for both awards by Council Strategy & Governance Committee and final consideration and approval by Council.

After the names have been confirmed, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Royal Holloway will write to the chosen nominees with the offer of the honorary award.

We do not provide feedback on nominations, however we will let successful nominators know once we have received confirmation of acceptance from the nominee. If you do not hear from the University, you should assume that your nomination has not been successful on this occasion, though names may be carried forward for consideration in subsequent years.

In order to avoid disappointment or embarrassment, nominations should not be discussed with potential candidates.

Honorary fellowships are conferred at a ceremony in the summer term and honorary degrees are conferred at graduation ceremonies in July and December.

Nominations for 2026 awards are now open. Any nominations received after 31 January 2025 will be considered for awards in 2027 only.

Nomination forms must be completed in full and submitted online in order for nominees to be considered for awards. 

Honorary degrees of the University of London, are conferred by member institutions under Regulation two of the University of London, paragraphs 16-18, and paragraphs 88-95 of the Standing Orders of Council.

Honorary fellowships of Royal Holloway, University of London of the University of London, are conferred by the University under paragraphs 88-95 of the Standing Orders of Council.

For any questions about honorary awards or completing a nomination please email honorarynominations@royalholloway.ac.uk