Lambeth degrees are awarded by the The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop of the Church of England and of the worldwide Anglican Communion, outranking the other English archbishop, the Archbishop of York. His episcopal see is the Diocese of Canterbury and his episcopal chair (cathedra) is at Canterbury Cathedral. He functions as the... Archbishop of Canterbury, under the authority of the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533 (25 Hen VIII c 21) (Eng). as successor of the A Papal legate is a representative of the Pope to the nations. He is empowered on the matters of unity of the catholic faith and for the settlement of ecclesiastical matters. The legate is appointed directly by the Pope, hence a legate is usually sent to a government, a sovereign... papal legate in England. The degrees awarded most commonly are DD, LLD, DLitt, DMus, and MA. The MLitt has been awarded in recent years.

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 2000. 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 An Honorary degree (Latin: honoris causa ad gradum) is a degree awarded to someone by an institution that he or she may have never attended, it may be a bachelors, masters or doctorate degree - however, the latter is most common. Usually it is given, amidst great pomp, as... honorary degree, they are legally substantive degrees, and are only awarded to those individuals deemed to have met the requirements for the degree is some way. They are in a sense awarded in recognition of prior learning or experience, but also serve as a form of archiepiscopal honours system. Diocesan bishops traditionally received the DD on appointment but this is no longer the custom, and appointments are made on a case by case basis.

The degrees for which examination is required fall under the ambit of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Examination in Theology (“Lambeth degree”). There are two grades, the STh and the MA. The first is the Lambeth Diploma of Student in Theology (STh). The Lambeth Diploma was established in 1905 to provide a means of scholarly theological study, and to encourage women to study theology. It was originally for women only, and only since 1944 has it been for men also. It may be conducted by examination (part I in 3 Biblical Studies subjects, part II in 4 Doctrine and optional subjects), or since 1913 by 30-40,000 words thesis for suitably qualified candidates (originally, with theology degree, since 1969 other suitable theological qualifications).

Whether by examination or by thesis, a candidate must pass, or be exempt, a paper in New Testament Greek. The standard is that of an honours degree. Successful candidates may join the Association of Lambeth Diploma holders. Most awards are now by thesis alone.

A limited number of candidates with good theology qualifications may register for a Lambeth MA by thesis (registration from 2-5 years, maximum of 50,000 words excluding the bibliography and bibliographic references, and a 1,000 word abstract). The degree is styled MA Lambeth, or MA Cantaur or MA Canterbury. There may be no more than 30 on the books at any one time. The standard is that of an MPhil. The MA was inaugurated 1990 by Archbishop Runcie at the request of the Lambeth Diploma Committee to meet a need to provide for the possibility for theological study at a more advanced level than the diploma (though MA examinations had been introduced by Archbishop Tait in the late nineteenth century, these had ended in the early part of the twentieth century by Archbishop Davidson. The first was awarded 1993.

Candidates must have at least a 2nd class first division honours degree in theology or a subject related to the proposed thesis topic, or alternately a STh with distinction, or possibly another equivalent qualifications. Applications are considered twice yearly by a committee appointed by the Archbishop. Applicants are then interviewed by the Director or a nominated member of the Committee. The thesis is written under the direction of a supervisor appointed by the Committee. It is examined by at least two examiners, and awarded if approved by both examiners and endorsed by the Committee. The degree is awarded by the Archbishop at an annual service - held separately from the service for the more 'honorary' Lambeth degrees.

Applicants must be able to take the oath of allegiance, so must be subjects of Her Majesty The Queen, either of the United Kingdom or of the overseas realms. They are not subject to a formal religious test, but non-conformists may not be admitted. The Committee rejected the application for enrolment of the Rev’d Andrew Brown, a Historic Unitarianism believed in the oneness of God as opposed to traditional Christian belief in the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Historic Unitarians believed in the moral authority, but not the deity, of Jesus. Unitarians can be more generally characterized through the ages as free thinkers and dissenters, evolving... Unitarian minister, 2001, as the Unitarians do not acknowledge the divinity of Christ. Mr Brown was a former rock star, with a first class honours degree in theology from Oxford, and is minister of Unitarian Church, Cambridge.

Bibliography

• Noel Cox, “Dispensation, Privileges, and the Conferment of Graduate Status: With Special Reference to Lambeth Degrees” (2002-2003) 18(1) Journal of Law and Religion 249-274
• Marjorie Thresher, A venture of faith: history of the Lambeth diploma, 1905-1984 (STh Association, London, 1989)