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Honorary degrees, Medals of Honour and national honours
Each year the University recognises remarkable individuals that have made outstanding contributions to society that embody our values, improve the lives of people in local communities or have created significant impact in their field of work and often far beyond.
Honorary degrees and Medals of Honour are the University’s highest awards, and nominations come from current University students, alumni, staff and members of the Board of Governors or General Assembly for these awards.
Nominations are now closed for the 2025 awards – thank you to those who submitted.
Nominations for the 2026 awards will open in November. In the meantime, if you have any questions please reach out to Deborah Black.
Overview
Honorary degrees are the most prestigious awards the University can confer. As such, it is likely that recipients will have high standing nationally or internationally in their chosen field and, in most cases, beyond their immediate sphere of influence.
Nominees will be expected to have made an exceptionally distinguished contribution to their field and/or have made an exemplary contribution to public life.
When considering a nomination account will be taken of whether:
- The nominee serves as an example of ambition and achievement;
- The merit the award brings to the individual mirrors the merit the conferment brings to the University;
- The nominee embodies the vision and values of the University.
A connection with the University, the city of Manchester or the north-west is desirable but not essential.
While the list below is not exhaustive, typically successful nominations include people who have demonstrated an:
- outstanding contribution to education ( for example in research, teaching, administration, philanthropy)
- outstanding contribution to the world’s greatest challenges ( for example through science, technology, innovation, sustainability, poverty reduction, addressing health inequalities);
- outstanding contribution to business, industry, law;
- outstanding contribution to cultural life ( for example the arts, sport);
- outstanding record of voluntary service or community action and engagement.
Often the strongest nominations evidence a range of the individual's contributions which are in addition to his or her current or former paid, professional role, such as volunteering in any of its guises (on boards, advisory groups, within local communities), support for cultural life and, where applicable, giving to charities/the HE sector.
The University will not normally honour current or former members of University staff nor current members of the Board of Governors. However, in the case of truly outstanding current or past members of staff, exceptions have been made, such as for former Vice-Chancellors such as Professors Sir Martin Harris, Alan Gilbert and Dame Nancy Rothwell, and current Nobel Prize winning staff Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov. Exceptions could also be made for current members of the Board of Governors.
It will also not honour serving politicians as their roles could compromise or be perceived as compromising our institutional neutrality. This will also apply to individuals who have accepted an award but, before conferment of it, have been elected or appointed to one of these positions. In the latter case, the Awards and Honours Group that oversees all three award categories would look again at the appropriateness of conferring the honour after the term of office has ended and keep this under review if it is not possible immediately.
Similarly, it will not honour those holding public office whose roles could compromise or be perceived as compromising our institutional neutrality. Again, this will also apply to individuals who have accepted an award but, before conferment of it, have been elected or appointed to one of these positions. In the latter case, the Awards and Honours Group would do the same as for politicians and consider the appropriateness of conferring the honour after the term of office has ended and keep this under review if it is not possible immediately. Nominators are still able to nominate individuals holding public office as these will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Awards and Honours Group.
Further information
When considering if your nominee meets the criteria for an honorary degree you should reflect on whether the contributions are truly exceptional. If they could be considered outstanding and are in service to the University, city or region in whatever field, a Medal of Honour could be more appropriate. You might also wish to consider if your candidate is suitable for a national honour where the nomination could be submitted directly by you to the Cabinet Office.
Overview
The University Medal of Honour is the highest non-degree award bestowed by the University. The award is intended to honour and recognise individuals who have made an outstanding and sustained contribution usually to the work of the University, the city of Manchester or the north-west region. Many types of contributions can be considered including to the voluntary or community sectors, business, philanthropy, the economy, education, the arts, science and sports.
As for honorary degrees, often successful nominations evidence a range of the individual's contributions which are in addition to his or her current or former paid professional role, such as volunteering in any of its guises (on boards, advisory groups, within local communities), support for cultural life and, where applicable, giving to charities or the HE sector.
For the majority of nominees, nominators should set out the nominee’s contributions to the work and aims of the University, city or region and explain why their particular achievements are seen to merit the award of a University Medal of Honour.
Where the contributions are not directly in service to the University, city or region, nominators will need to make a compelling case for why the nominee should be considered.
As for honorary degrees, the University will not honour serving politicians as their roles could compromise or be perceived as compromising our institutional neutrality. This will also apply to individuals who have accepted an award but, before conferment of it, have been elected or appointed to one of these positions. In the latter case, the Awards and Honours Group would look again at the appropriateness of conferring the honour after the term of office has ended and keep this under review if it is not possible immediately.
Similarly, it will not honour those holding a public office whose roles could compromise or be perceived as compromising our institutional neutrality. Again, this will also apply to individuals who have accepted an award but, before conferment of it, have been elected or appointed to one of these positions. In the latter case, the Awards and Honours Group would do the same as for politicians and consider the appropriateness of conferring the honour after the term of office has ended and keep this under review if it is not possible immediately. Nominators can still nominate individuals holding public office as these will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Awards and Honours Group.
Overview
The Awards and Honours Group will also consider nominations which are made for national honours that you would like the University to sponsor. The number of cases the University does sponsor each year is very small so you may wish, as anyone can submit a case, to consider putting your candidate forward directly for these national awards.
Nominations should highlight how the potential recipient has:
- made a difference to their community or field of work;
- brought distinction to British life and enhanced its reputation;
- displayed moral courage and vision in making tough choices and hard applications;
- improved the life chances of those less able to help themselves.
Further information
The guidance issued on submissions for national honours states that if a nomination is ultimately successful, success will not be immediate and will take at least 12 to 18 months. Your attention is also drawn to the fact that nominations should be made while the nominee is still active and, if possible, at least 12 months before he or she is expected to retire or stand down.
If the name you put forward on this nomination form is considered appropriate by the Awards and Honours Group you will be asked to work up the full nomination, using the appropriate form supplied by the Cabinet Office or relevant professional association.