Honorary academic status may be conferred on persons other than members of staff who are of appropriate distinction and who have an on-going association with the University in the areas of teaching and/or research. The title should reflect their contribution to the University and might be different from the title they may hold in another organisation. Honorary status should be reviewed at intervals of no longer than three years.
Visiting academic status may be conferred on persons other than members of staff who are of appropriate distinction, who are visiting the University for a finite period of time and who are working in the areas of teaching and/or research. Visiting status should not exceed five years other than in exceptional circumstances.
Status should only be maintained for as long as the individual’s contribution remains consistent with the title conferred and may be withdrawn at any time at the University’s sole discretion.
See also:
Honorary & Visiting Titles
Deans (or Heads of School where this has been delegated by the Dean) may confer the following Honorary or Visiting titles:
Individuals with a senior honorary title may apply for the title of Honorary Associate Professor and Honorary Professor through the University’s academic promotion procedure.
Industrial Fellows
Where an individual does not have the academic credentials normally associated with an honorary academic title, yet are of such standing that an honorary title is an appropriate reflection of their national and international achievements in business and/or society, Deans (or Heads of School where this has been delegated by the Dean) may confer the title Honorary/Visiting Industrial Fellow or Honorary/Visiting Industrial Professor.
Procedure
Heads of School will submit written nominations for honorary/visiting titles to the Dean for approval. Nominations should be accompanied by an Honorary/Visiting Academic Form (Office document, 87kB), short biography and curriculum vitae.
Once the nomination is approved, the School is responsible for notifying the individual and arranging building and system access as required.
Visiting academic appointments should be extended under the above procedure.
Emeritus Status
The criteria and procedure for conferring the title Emeritus Professor or Emeritus Dean is available on the Emeritus Professors information page.
Lifetime Honorary Status
Honorary Graduates
An honorary degree is one of higher education's most significant accolades. Each year, following very careful consideration, the University bestows a number of honorary degrees on distinguished individuals who merit special recognition for outstanding achievement and distinction in a field or activity consonant with the mission of the University.
Honorary Fellows
An Honorary Fellowship is the highest honour the University of Bristol can bestow. The title is usually conferred on an individual who has attained distinction in their academic field and/or has contributed consistently and over a significant period of time to the life of the University.
Honorary Fellowships may only be conferred by Court, on the recommendation of Senate and the Board of Trustees. More information is available on the Public and Ceremonial Events website.
Senate 20 October 2014 (amended 15 April 2019)
