Honorary degree

An honorary degree is like a special award given to someone who has done something really, really good or important. It's like a big pat on the back to say 'well done!'

Let's say you know a grown-up who is really, really good at playing music. People all over the world love to listen to the music that they make. If that grown-up was given an honorary degree, it would mean that lots and lots of people think they are amazing at playing music and deserve a special award for it.

Honorary degrees are different from real degrees that you get when you study lots of hard work in school. You have to do lots of work and study really hard to get a real degree. But with an honorary degree, you don't have to do any studying or take any exams. It is just given to you to say how wonderful you are at something.

So, you can think of an honorary degree as a really special present for doing something great that lots of people want to celebrate with you.