Jeremy Clarkson

NAME: Jeremy Clarkson

DEGREE: Doctor of the University / Doctor of Engineering

INSTITUTION: Brunel University London / Oxford Brookes University

DATE: 2003 / 2005

CITATION: "His passionate and perceptive championing of Brunel in the BBC's 2002 'Greatest Briton' competition persuaded the nation to look beyond the glitzy and the glamorous and to pay attention to the lasting achievements of a Victorian engineer who, in Clarkson's words, 'took us to where we were going'." Brunel University London

Fred Goodwin

NAME: Fred Goodwin


DEGREE: Doctor of Laws / Doctor of the University / Honorary Fellowship


INSTITUTIONS: The University of Glasgow / The University of St. Andrews / The London Business School


DATES: 2002 / 2004 / 2011


CITATIONS: "Mr. Chancellor, today we are honouring Fred Goodwin for his remarkable achievements in helping to turn one of Scotland‘s banks into a global player, and his wider contribution to society. I therefore ask you, Mr. Chancellor, to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of the University on Mr. Fred Goodwin’ - Anton Muscatelli, Dean Of Social Sciences, Glasgow University, 2002

"An honorary fellowship is given to a person who has accomplished outstanding achievements, or has made significant contributions to business. If entrepreneurship is the exploitation of opportunity, then leadership is the making of opportunity, and Sir Fred clearly excels in both" - Professor Nigel Nicholson, Professor of Organisational Behaviour, London Business School

Lord Sewel

NAME: John Sewel


DEGREE: Doctor of Laws


INSTITUTION: The University of Aberdeen


DATE: 2008


CITATION: "John Sewel has juxtaposed careers in politics and academe throughout his life. He is most well-known for piloting the devolution bill through Parliament, and helping draft the plans for the new Scottish Parliament. He remains an active member of the House of Lords."

Brian May

NAME: Brian May

DEGREE: Doctorate of Science

INSTITUTION: Hertfordshire University, Exeter University, Liverpool John Moores University

YEARS: 2002, 2007 (twice)

CITATION: "Few could have failed to be stirred by May's extraordinary virtuoso performance from the roof of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee, a lasting impression which has become one of the defining images of Jubilee year. The Queen / Ben Elton musical WE WILL ROCK YOU opened in London's West End in May this year and has since become the UK's biggest selling stage show.

May retains his keen interest in astronomy: he has appeared with Sir Patrick Moore on the Sky At Night and become a close friend; in return Moore recently made a cameo appearance in May's television advert for his new Best Air Guitar album.

May is also regarded as an expert in the field of Victorian Stereoscopic Photography." - Pro-Vice Chancellor Thom Hanahoe, Hertfordshire University

Jimmy Savile

NAME: Jimmy Savile


DEGREE: Honorary Doctorate of Arts


INSTITUTION: The University of Bedfordshire


DATE: 2009 (Rescinded 2012)


STATEMENT: "The honorary award for Jimmy Savile was in recognition of his charitable fund raising. It was given in good faith in 2009 without the knowledge of the current very serious allegations. In this light, the University has confirmed that the honorary award should be rescinded" (2012)

Shilpa Shetty

NAME: Shilpa Shetty

DEGREE: Doctorate of Arts

INSTITUTION: Leeds Metropolitan University

DATE: 2007

CITATION: "There are some parallels between the challenges faced in any [Big Brother] house and student life. Someone at some time will behave badly, not necessarily to you but to others or the wider community. In Shilpa Shetty you are graduating with someone who rose to that challenge with great dignity and poise, making a difference" - Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Lee

Matthew Kelly

NAME: Matthew Kelly

DEGREE: Doctor Of Letters

INSTITUTION: University of Chester

DATE: 2010

CITATION: "Matthew Kelly qualified as [a] teacher from Manchester Polytechnic and has enjoyed success as an actor and television presenter… In 1991 he took over from Bruce Forsyth to present You Bet! and then became presenter of Stars In Their Eyes."

Kylie Minogue

NAME: Kylie Minogue

DEGREE: Doctor of Health Science

INSTITUTION: Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford

DATE: 2011

CITATION: "After four albums, Kylie made the transition from 'Pop Princess' to serious artist, a step very few musicians have been able to achieve… Kylie has continued to fit acting roles in between her musical career, taking the lead in Streetfighter opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme, making a memorable appearance in Moulin Rouge as the Green Fairy, and in 2009 travelling to Mumbai to take part in Blue, the most expensive Bollywood film ever made."

Susan Boyle

NAME: Susan Boyle

DEGREE: Doctor of the University / Doctor of Music

INSTITUTION: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh / Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow

DATE: 2012 / 2015

CITATION: "Susan Boyle is quite simply an icon of the modern media age... It is entirely appropriate for Queen Margaret University to honour her today... Chancellor, I invite you to confer upon Susan Magdalen Boyle the degree of Doctor of the University, Honoris Causa” - Tom Farmer, Chancellor - Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh / founder - Kwik-Fit

Ryan Giggs

NAME: Ryan Giggs

DEGREE: Master of Arts / Doctor Of Science

INSTITUTION: Salford University / University of Bolton

DATE: 2008 / 2014

CITATION: "Ryan’s extraordinary talent is beyond dispute, but there are several things that make him a true icon in the world of football. Very few players have dedicated themselves to one team. Very few players are highly regarded and respected by all their peers. Very few players are respected and admired by fans throughout the world” - Professor George Holmes, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bolton