Foundation Day

Foundation Day is the annual celebration of the grant by William IV of the University’s first charter on 28 November 1836.

The University presented its first honorary degrees in June 1903. Among the recipients were the Prince of Wales (LLD) and the Princess of Wales (DMus), later King George V and Queen Mary.

Since then, this accolade has been bestowed on a wide range of distinguished individuals from both the academic and non-academic worlds. Their names are recorded in the Register of Honorary Degrees. Among the list of famous signatures is Winston Churchill, Judi Dench, T S Eliot, Margot Fonteyn and Henry Moore.

Honorary degrees are approved by the Collegiate Council as set out in Regulation 2, part of the University’s governance structure. They are presented to the recipients at an evening ceremony in Senate House, held each year in the Autumn term.

See a video newsreel film  (1948) of Sir Winston Churchill being awarded a Doctor of Literature honoris causa at the University of London, Senate House.

Foundation Day 2011 took place on 30 November 2011. Honorary degrees were conferred by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoffrey Crossick, on the following eminent individuals:

• Sir Keith Ajegbo , Education Consultant, Doctor of Literature (Education)
  
• William Kentridge , Artist, Doctor of Literature
• Dame Alison Richard , former Vice-Chancellor, Cambridge University, Doctor of Laws
• Andrew Ritchie , Inventor, Doctor of Science (Engineering)
• Sir Magdi Yacoub , professor of cardiothoracic surgery, Doctor of Science (Medicine)

Photos of the event are available to view and purchase online .