Lambeth Degree - Nature of The Degrees

Nature of The Degrees

The continued authority of the archbishop to confer degrees is recognised in accordance with section 216(1) of the Education Reform Act 1988 by the Education (Recognised Bodies) (England) Order 2010. There are two types of degrees awarded, those for the recognition of service to the church and those for which an examination is required.

Though the first type of degree is similar to an honorary degree they are legally substantive degrees and are only awarded to those individuals deemed to have met the requirements for the degree in some way. They are, in a sense, awarded in recognition of prior learning or experience but also serve as a form of church honours system. The extent of a person's learning is taken into account when it is being decided what degree should be conferred. An eminent and much-published scholar may be considered suitable for a doctorate, an experienced cleric or lay minister may be awarded the MA and a senior figure with some published work may be considered for the BD. For some time in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries new diocesan bishops traditionally received the DD on appointment; but since 1961 this has not been the custom and all awards are made on an individual basis.

Because they are substantive degrees, holders of Lambeth doctorates are able to use the title "Doctor", for example as "Dr John Smith", without the restrictions on this which sometimes apply to honorary degrees. The Latin designation of Canterbury, Cantuar, is used to explain the origin of the degree, e.g. "John Smith DD (Cantuar)" in the case of a Doctor of Divinity.