Nominations are now open to nominate Honorary Graduates for 2027
“It’s a huge pleasure and privilege to return to the university where I began my career and to receive this honour from them.”
“It means so much to be recognised by a community whose values and spirit I admire. As someone who has worked to widen access to justice for many years, this moment is both humbling and deeply meaningful.”
“This recognition from such a forward-thinking institution is profoundly affirming. I am grateful to be celebrated this way and hope it inspires others from historically under-represented backgrounds to pursue their goals unapologetically.”
“I feel very honoured to accept this Honorary Degree from Exeter. I am well aware of the important work the University has undertaken around the impact on the mental health of victims and the families of subpostmasters involved with the Post Office Horizon scandal.”
How do I make a nomination?
The Nomination process
Submit your nomination
Honorary degrees are often awarded to individuals with a connection to our University and the wider community of Exeter, who can provide an inspiring example to our graduating students.
Each year we seek to honour inspiring people in this way, providing a basis for the development of a lasting relationship with the University. Some return to offer guest lectures, while others support the University in different ways. All our honorary graduates share our passion for education and research and exemplify our values. They will play an important role as ambassadors of our University and their influence supports our collective mission, to make the exceptional happen.
Our honorary graduates receive their awards at one of our summer or winter graduation ceremonies, becoming part of the Exeter community and sharing in our success going forward.
Do you know someone who has made a major contribution to the world of academia, made an impact on our region, or made a significant national or international contribution within their field?
If your nomination is chosen and accepted, you will be invited to attend the graduation lunch with members of UEB and our honorary graduates, with an opportunity to meet your nominee. You can make your nomination from Monday 9 February – Friday 20 March 2026. Who will you choose?
How do I make a nomination?
Nominations can be made by all staff, officers and Emeritus Professors. Up to five nominations may also be made each by the Student Guild Executive Group and SU leadership team to reflect the views of our student representatives.
All valid nominations will be considered and are particularly welcomed for individuals from diverse backgrounds and from under-represented groups. Final decisions are made by Senate and Council.
Criteria for the award of an Honorary Degree:
- All nominations must be for candidates who have demonstrated the very highest national or international distinction in their chosen field.
- There must be clear potential for a lasting relationship with the University.
- The achievements of the honorary graduate must relate in some way to the University, its values, disciplines, or have directly inspired our University community.
- Nominations are welcomed for individuals who reflect the diversity of our community and our ambition to be a global, diverse, and inclusive institution.
- Individuals who have given exceptional service to the University over an extended period of time will also be considered.
- Nominations are welcomed for individuals who are based in or who have made an impact on our region. It is important to the University’s mission to make awards to individuals from the region who are able to actively engage with the institution.
- As a world-class institution with a global reach, nominations for international Honorary Graduates are also encouraged.
Retired staff from the University are eligible for nomination providing they meet the above criteria. Serving members of the University Council or people holding party political office in the UK or overseas, will only be awarded in exceptional circumstances.
The Nomination process
The deadline for nominations is Friday 20 March 2026.
Decisions on award of honorary degrees are made by Senate and Council further to a shortlist of nominations that UEB put forward in the summer.
The shortlisted nominations are decided by a panel meeting held in April. The panel members are the President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lisa Roberts, Senior Vice-President and Registrar, Mike Shore-Nye, Senior Vice-President and Provost, Professor Dan Charman and Vice-President, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (People and Culture) Professor Rajani Naidoo and Executive Divisional Director of External Engagement and Global, Alicia O'Grady.
The following meetings are held as part of the shortlisting and approval process:
| Meeting | Date |
|---|---|
| Shortlisting Meeting | 31 March 2026 |
| UEB Meeting | 1 May 2026 |
| Senate Meeting | 17 June 2026 |
| Council Meeting | 8 July 2026 |
We strive to make the selection process as inclusive as possible. All nominations are carefully considered.
The final shortlist of nominees will be known by August, and nominators will be advised in September if their nomination was successful. We are not able to provide detailed feedback for unsuccessful nominations.
Decisions are not subject to appeal.
Nominators must on no account discuss the possible award of an honorary degree with the candidate prior to an official announcement since this could raise expectations prior to the decision-making process.
If it is discovered that the candidate has been approached, we reserve the right to refuse the nomination. If nominators wish to gather information on the candidate, they should use publicly available sources e.g. Who’s Who, Wikipedia etc.
Submit your nomination
Please click on the link above and complete the nomination form.
Should you have any questions, please send an email to eventenquiries@exeter.ac.uk
The deadline for submissions is Friday 20 March 2026.
To help your decision, you can read all about some of our previous Honorary Graduates.