Granting of Honorary Awards

Version and approval

Version Number: 5.0
Revision date: 27 February 2026
Policy Owner: President
Approval Body: Academic Council 27 February 2026
Review: 3 Years

A. Purpose

This document sets out the criteria, guiding principles and procedures for the granting of honorary awards by UCC.

B. Definitions

By awarding honorary degrees and awards, the University recognises those individuals whose accomplishments are of such excellence that they provide inspiration and leadership. The Honorary Awards Board should attempt, through its recommendations of nominees, to reflect the cultural diversity of the nation and the international character and diversity of the University itself. It may also attempt to honour those whose outstanding contributions to their fields or to society have not yet been widely recognised.

Doctorate (HC):

This is the highest award the University can bestow on a person, usually of global significance, in an academic or non-academic domain, whose accomplishments are of such excellence that they provide inspiration and leadership to UCC’s students, staff and alumni. Their selection makes a public declaration of the values of the University and their calibre is such, that in honouring them, the University too is honoured.

Master’s Degree (HC):

This is the highest award the University can bestow on a person, usually of national or Regional significance, in an academic or non-academic domain, whose accomplishments are of such excellence that they provide inspiration and leadership to UCC’s students, staff and alumni. Their selection makes a public declaration of the magnitude of their achievements, which would not merit a doctorate, but are nonetheless exemplary. This may or may not include acknowledgement for a lack of formal academic qualifications heretofore.

C. Policy Scope

University College Cork (UCC) is a Constituent University of the National University of Ireland, founded in 1908. The University is empowered under the Universities Act 1997 to award degrees, including honorary degrees, which shall also be degrees of the National University of Ireland.

D. Policy Roles and Responsibilities

Authority and Procedure Governing Nominations for Honorary Degrees and Awards

The President will issue an annual a regular call to the University community inviting such proposals for nominations. Nominations are welcome and should be sent by email to HAB@ucc.ie .

In seeking nominations for an Honorary Degree or award, members of the Honorary Awards Board are expected to conduct appropriately discrete consultation on suitability and standing in the field with colleagues in their functional areas of responsibility.

Once reviewed by the Honorary Awards Board, selected nominations will be subject to a due diligence process and the outcome will influence whether the nomination will be progressed or not.

E. Policy Text

Policy for Granting of Honorary Awards in University College Cork National University of Ireland, Cork

1. Introduction

1.1 University College Cork National University of Ireland, Cork (UCC) is a Constituent University of the National University of Ireland, founded in 1908. The University is empowered under the Universities Act 1997 to award degrees, including honorary degrees, which shall also be degrees of the National University of Ireland.

1.2 Honorary awards of the University are bestowed on individuals to recognise distinction in a particular field of human endeavour, related to the expansion of knowledge, discovery and understanding; the deepening of scholarship in every discipline; the critical appreciation and the practice of literature, music and the visual and performing arts. In the main, these degrees and awards are intended to further the purposes of the University by honouring academic distinction in all disciplines. In particular, UCC seeks to honour those whose academic distinction is linked in some way to the culture, scholarship, traditions and values of UCC. In honouring distinguished individuals, UCC seeks to promote its own cultural and scholarly traditions and values, including its commitment to the Irish language and Studies. In addition to degrees and honouring scholarship and creativity, honorary degrees and awards of the University are conferred on individuals, who, whether in their personal or representative capacities, through their energies, service and actions, have contributed significantly to public life, the betterment of society, or individual freedom and dignity.

1.3 This document sets out the criteria, guiding principles and procedures for the granting of honorary awards by UCC.

1.4 The introductory speeches for those honoured by the University is available on the UCC Honorary Conferrings website

2. The Granting of UCC Honorary Awards

2.1 Decisions on the granting of UCC honorary degrees and awards are made on the recommendation of the Honorary Awards Board. The Honorary Awards Board has been established under the delegated authority of Academic Council, as the responsible authority for recommending individuals for the award of an honorary degree and fulfils the function of an Examination Board for any such award. According to Principal Statute G.2.e Results “The results of all examinations shall be determined by the Deputy President and Registrar and the Academic Secretary or by the Academic Board based upon the decisions of the University Examination Boards.

2.2 Nominees shall not be approached unless and until the Board recommends the award of an honorary degree. Equally nominees shall not make any representations to members of the Board.

3. Conferring

3.1 Recipients of Honorary Degrees and awards shall be conferred at an appropriate UCC award ceremony in accordance with University protocols for such events.

4. Criteria for Conferring Of Doctorates & Masters

By awarding honorary degrees and awards, the University recognises those individuals whose accomplishments are of such excellence that they provide inspiration and leadership. The Honorary Awards Board should attempt, through its recommendations of nominees, to reflect the cultural diversity of the nation and the international character and diversity of the University itself. It may also attempt to honour those whose outstanding contributions to their fields or to society have not yet been widely recognised.

Doctorate (HC):

This is the highest award the University can bestow on a person, usually of global significance, in an academic or non-academic domain, whose accomplishments are of such excellence that they provide inspiration and leadership to UCC’s students, staff and alumni. Their selection makes a public declaration of the values of the University and their calibre is such, that in honouring them, the university too is honoured.

Master’s Degree (HC):

This is the highest award the University can bestow on a person, usually of national or Regional significance, in an academic or non-academic domain, whose accomplishments are of such excellence that they provide inspiration and leadership to UCC’s students, staff and alumni. Their selection makes a public declaration of the magnitude of their achievements, which would not merit a doctorate, but are nonetheless exemplary. This may or may not include acknowledgement for a lack of formal academic qualifications heretofore.

Note: All above can be awarded to current or former members of staff.

5. Criteria and Guiding Principles Governing the award of UCC Honorary Degrees

The award of an honorary degree or award by UCC is an honour of the highest level. Honorary degrees are awarded to persons meriting recognition at this level, and who, in turn, bring distinction to UCC.
The award of the honorary degree or award is for distinction in the candidate's own right or in his/her representative capacity.
In the conferring of an honorary degree or award, the main purpose is to honour distinction in scholarship and creativity.
In addition to honouring scholarship and creativity, honorary degrees or awards may be awarded to individuals who, whether in their personal or representative capacities, through their energies and service, have contributed significantly to public life, the betterment of society, and the interests of humanity. In general, honorary degrees or awards for individuals who have distinguished themselves in political life will be awarded to them only after they have retired from office.
Honorary degrees and awards will not be conferred in absentia.
In considering nominations the Board will be mindful of gender balance based on our equality, diversity and inclusion agenda. The decision to make an award both individually and as a collective will be consistent with the University’s EDI values.
Honorary degrees and awards cannot be awarded posthumously.
Self-nominations will not be accepted.

6. Procedures Governing the Nominations Procedure

6a. Authority and Procedure Governing Nominations for Honorary Degrees

The President will issue a regular call to the University community inviting such proposals for nominations.

Nominations are welcome and should be sent by email to HAB@ucc.ie.

In seeking nominations for an honorary degree or award, members of the Honorary Awards Board are expected to conduct appropriately discrete consultation on suitability and standing in the field with colleagues in their functional areas of responsibility.

Once reviewed by the Honorary Awards Board, selected nominations will be subject to a due diligence process and the outcome will influence whether the nomination will be progressed or not.

6b. Timescale for nominations

The President will issue a regular call to the University Community inviting proposals for nominations. Nomination forms should be sent to HAB@ucc.ie . The nominations shall be considered by the Honorary Awards Board and recommendations shall be notified to Academic Council at its next relevant meeting.

7. UCC Honorary Degree Titles (approved October 2010)

Honorary Doctorates

Degree of Doctor of Arts DArts
Degree of Doctor of Celtic Studies DLittCelt
Degree of Doctor of Economic Science DEconSc
Degree of Doctor of Education DEd
Degree of Doctor of Engineering DEng
Degree of Doctor of Fine Arts DFA
Degree of Doctor of Laws LLD
Degree of Doctor of Civil Laws DCL
Degree of Doctor of Literature DLitt
Degree of Doctor of Medicine DMed
Degree of Doctor of Music DMus
Degree of Doctor of Science DSc

Honorary Masters

Degree of Master of Arts (MA)
Degree of Master of Science (MSc)

Other Awards

Other awards are at the discretion of the University (see Appendix 1)

8. Right Of Withdrawal

UCC reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to pause and/or discontinue the process of awarding an Honorary Degree or award or to withdraw an Honorary Degree or award. The decision to withdraw or pause the awarding of an honorary degree or award will be made by the Honorary Awards Board.
Membership

President
Deputy President & Registrar
Head, College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences
Head, College of Business & Law
Head, College of Medicine & Health
Head, College of Science, Engineering & Food Science
Vice President Global Engagement
Vice President for Research & Innovation
Vice President for Learning & Teaching
Director of Business Development and Advancement
Director of European Relations & Public Affairs
Director of Student Experience
Head of Events
Arts and Culture Officer
Academic Secretary

Secretariat provided by the Advancement Office

Conduct of Business

The Honorary Awards Board will meet as required on the direction of the Chair.
The proceedings of the Board shall be strictly confidential.
A meeting of the Board shall be quorate when six or more members are present.
A proposal to award an honorary degree or award must be supported by two thirds or more of the full membership.
The nominee must not be approached unless and until the Board recommends the award of an honorary degree or award.
Where the Board recommends the award of an honorary degree or award, the Chair of the Honorary Awards Board, or his/her nominee, shall approach the nominee to determine if they wish to accept the honour.
Where a nominee accepts the nomination, the Chair shall inform the Board and the recommendation for conferment shall be reported to Academic Council at the next appropriate meeting for ratification
The name of a nominee recommended by the Board for an honorary degree or award shall not be released publicly unless and until the nominee has indicated they wish to accept the honorary degree or award and the recommendation is ratified by Academic Council. Disclosure after this point is at the discretion of the President with the agreement of the nominee.
The Honorary Awards Board are responsible for considering the 1845 Medal, the highest award that UCC can offer.
In addition, the Honorary Awards Board can consider nomination for the Alumni Achievement Awards.

Supporting Policies, Guidelines and Statutes

Nomination for an Honorary Award Form

UCC Honorary Conferrings webpage

Principal Statute

Approval and Review

Academic Council 15 October 2010
Academic Council 29 June 2012
Academic Council 16 June 2015 (devolution of approvals)
Amended September 2022, approved by Academic Council 7 October 2022
Academic Council 8 February 2025 (board name change to Honorary Awards Board)
Academic Council 27 February 2026 (updates to reflect name change)

Appendix 1

1845 Medal

In 2025, the University’s 180th anniversary, the University created a new 1845 Medal, being the highest award it can bestow upon an individual.

It will be awarded to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their fields and whose achievements reflect the spirit of UCC. The award will serve as a commemoration of the University’s rich history and its continuing impact on the world. It will honour an individual who already has an Honorary Degree or who has achieved an accomplishment recognised globally such as a Nobel Prize.

Alumni Achievement Award:

This is a prestigious award open to alumni of UCC. Individuals must have achieved excellence in his/her/their profession or life work, have demonstrated leadership/innovation in his/her particular field, be a source of inspiration to students and pride to the whole university community, be a person who reflects the importance of his/her/their education at UCC, be an effective global citizen; align with the values of UCC.

The WH Crawford Medal:

This was named after William Horatio Crawford (1815–1888) the Irish brewer, book collector, art collector and philanthropist, is reserved as a mark of gratitude for extraordinary philanthropy to UCC. To date it has only been awarded once and is reserved for a significant transformational gift, or a series of gifts that cumulate to several million euros. It is intended that the 1845 Award, like the WH Crawford Medal, will be the most prestigious honour/s that UCC can award.

Further Information

Contact email: HAB@ucc.ie

In This Section