Understanding the Online Honorary Doctorate

An online honorary doctorate is conferred upon individuals who are considered exceptional in terms of the contributions made. It is regarded as the highest prestigious award one can earn. Unlike a PhD, to get an honorary doctorate, there are no specific requirements like coursework, viva, or exams to get the award. Individuals are selected based on their interviews and the contributions they have made. 

Individuals who have made exceptional contributions are eligible to receive the award. The recipients of this award are of various backgrounds, like leaders, public figures, social activists, or others. The recipients do not need to have an educational background; they will receive the award as soon as they have passed the interview. 

Unlike Indian institutes, where candidates cannot nominate themselves for the honorary award, foreign universities offer an option for candidates to self-nominate. There are many top universities where individuals can receive their honorary awards. Among them is the European Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT). 

Notable aspects of the Online Honorary Doctorate 

• Candidates are not required to enroll in any courses. 
• No educational requirements are needed, such as coursework or exams. 
• Individuals are selected based on an interview
• Individuals who have made exceptional contributions in a specific field are eligible to apply.
• Eligible candidates will receive their honorary degrees from the top universities. 
• On receiving the award, they will be a role model for a lot of students.
• Receiving an honorary doctorate will open doors to a wide range of opportunities. 

How an  Online Honorary Doctorate is different from a regular PhD?

An Online honorary doctorate award doesn’t require any prior educational background or any coursework. Eligible candidates can directly apply to the universities without enrolling themselves in the university that aligns with their goals, and upon verification and an interview, they will receive their award. The candidates will get their dream of earning the ‘Dr’ title soon after they are selected by the interview.

On the other hand, a PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is the highest symbolic degree a student can receive. The students are required to enroll in a university by clearing the entrance exams and an interview. The duration of a PhD program usually takes 3 to 6 years, depending on the university and the specialization. The enrolled students need to submit their coursework and dissertation; only then will they be eligible to receive the doctoral degree and earn the ‘Dr.’ title.

Here are some basic differences between a PhD and an honorary degree given for students’ better understanding- 

Particulars	Honorary Doctorate	PhD
Appearing for entrance exams	Not Required	Required
Formal Qualification	Not required	Required
Report & Thesis	Not required	Required
Coursework	Not required	Required
Credits Transfer	Not required	Required
Viva	Not required	Required
Interview	Required	Required
Dissertation	Not required	Required
Years of Experience	Not Required	Required

Requirements to get an online Honorary Doctorate

 Every university to which individuals apply has varying eligibility criteria for an honorary doctorate. Here are some basic eligibility criteria for the interested candidates. 

• Individuals do not need to have a specific educational qualification
• The degree solely depends on the interview of the candidate rather than 
• Candidates who have made exceptional contributions to a specific field. 
• Individuals who have demonstrated leadership in important causes for societal change. 
• Individuals must have a strong reputational background in both personal and public life. 

As a reference, here are a few indicators that determine the eligibility of individuals for an honorary degree by the European Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT). 

Indicators	Honorary Doctorate
Proven Contributions in society and community	Required
Impact on National and International Scale	Required
Recognized Qualities of Leadership and Innovation	Required
Sustained Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals	Required
Commitment to Ethical Standards	Required

How to apply for an online honorary award?

The application process for the European Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT) is given below for candidates’ better understanding.

• Registration: Those who are eligible to apply for an award can visit the University’s official website and register on the site. 
• Upload your documents:  Candidates are required to submit their documents before submitting their application.
• Nomination fee: Before submitting the application, candidates must pay the nomination fee on the university website. 

After filling out the application form, individuals are nominated based on the following criteria:

• Nomination Form Review: After applying, the candidate’s application will be reviewed by the University to determine whether they meet the University’s eligibility criteria or not. 
• Welcome call: The university will verify whether the candidate meets all the criteria or not.  Shortlisted candidates will receive a welcome call from the University regarding the interview date and time. 
• Interview: The selected candidates for the interview need to prepare for the interview as it will be conducted in detail for about 1 to 1.15 hours.
• Selection: Candidates are selected based on their interview. The selected candidate will receive the degree online or through convocations. 

The candidates are selected totally based on their interview, which takes around 1 to 1.15 hours. The eligible candidates need to be prepared accordingly. The interview will be held online, and the university will inform you regarding the day and time of the interview during the welcome call. Candidates can also try to ask for a better time and date based on their convenience. 

How will you receive your degree?

The selected candidate will receive an E-degree within the next 30 days. A hard copy will be sent to the candidate with a cover letter between 60 to 90 days. 

Course duration of the online honorary degree

The candidates who wish to apply to a university to receive their honorary degree award need no to enroll in the university. The award doesn’t depend on any courses as an eligibility criterion for the candidates. 

Honorary degree program fees 

The program doesn’t have a fixed fee structure. However, a donation of up to 6,50,000 is welcome for innovations and research. This amount can vary depending on the candidate's achievements and interview. This donation is more than a formality. 

Who Can Benefit from This Program?

Senior Leaders

• C-Suite Executives (CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CMO): Enhance leadership acumen and strategic oversight to drive organizational success at the highest level.
• Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents (SVP, VP): Enhance the strategic thinking and management expertise of the organization to lead divisions and initiatives effectively.
• Board Members and Directors: Developing strong governance and decision-making skills to guide organizations to grow and toward long-term success.

 Professionals Seeking Growth

• Senior Executives and Managers: Enhance leadership capabilities and strategic decision-making for impactful organizational leadership.
• Mid-Career Professionals: Elevate careers by acquiring advanced management and leadership capabilities.
• Global Business Professionals: Gain expertise in international business, cross-cultural management, and global market dynamics.

 Entrepreneurs and Innovators

• Entrepreneurs: Strengthen strategies and operations to achieve sustainable business growth and scalability.
• Corporate Innovators: Lead innovation and transformational change to increase efficiency and maintain a competitive edge.
• Business Owners & Development Leaders: Master the skills to identify opportunities, build partnerships, and drive organizational growth.

Advisors and Consultants

• Aspiring Consultants: Transition into consulting with cutting-edge business insights and problem-solving skills.
• Consultants and Advisors: Advanced domain skills and strategic thinking to support client success.

Academics and Researchers

• Academics and Researchers: Advances in academia contribute innovative ideas and research to the field of business.

    Change Makers

• Policy Makers and Government Officials: Acquire advanced knowledge to design impactful policies and manage large-scale initiatives.
• Non-Profit and Social Sector Leaders: Develop strategies for sustainable impact and efficient management of social enterprises.

 Lifelong Learners

Pursue personal and professional growth while making meaningful contributions to the field.