Honorary Degrees

Honorary degrees are conferred on deserving individuals who have made substantial contributions to society, such as:

• Leading academics in all disciplines and creative minds in arts and performance;
• Public intellectuals and opinion makers;
• Visionary leaders and exemplary public figures;
• Community builders and philanthropists.

Honorary degrees are conferred honoris causa, “for the sake of honour,” and are awarded as one of three types: Doctor of Laws, honoris causa; Doctor of Letters, honoris causa; and Doctor of Science, honoris causa.

Learn more about the nomination process and criteria from the UBC Senate

Watch the awarding of recent honorary degrees on UBC Ceremonies’ YouTube channel

Find the complete list of Honorary Degrees conferred by UBC in the University Library Archives

See the 2019 Honorary Degree Recipients