Professor.

[Pkingy 10]

What exams do you have to pass to have the right to be called professor and is this higher than having a degree

[alchresearch 214]

https://career-advice.jobs.ac.uk/academic/professor-he-in-the-uk/#:~:text=Most Professors will have a,taken on without a PhD.

 

[Jim Hardie 525]

Professor Jimmy Edwards must have thought it was hereditary.

[Thirsty Relic 210]

It is my understanding that the title of Professor is not directly related to a qualification, but is awarded by HE institutions related to their workload.  I certainly know of one HE institution that decided to appoint a few Professors in one of their sections, and invited their Principal Lecturers to apply for them.  The titles also was linked to various other work they were asked to perform in addition to their other duties.

 

As to the question of "is it higher than having a degree", if it's an "ordinary" degree (BA, BSc etc), then Yes, but there are Professors with PhD's and some without.  Ordinarily, one would expect Professors to have PhD's, bu tit is not always the case.

[Annie Bynnol 612]

Anybody can call themselves a professor-and do.

Anybody can call themselves a Professor of a subject- but not if associated with giving advice.

There are certain non University Institutions which confer titles.

Nobody can call themselves a Professor or former Professor at an established Institution without permission.

 

So if you are unsure of the credentials of somebody who calls themselves Professor ask them which subject and which Institutions.

 

In most countries people are often referred to as "Professor" as a mark of professional respect -less so in the UK.

[tinfoilhat 11]

1 hour ago, Annie Bynnol said:

Anybody can call themselves a professor-and do.

Anybody can call themselves a Professor of a subject- but not if associated with giving advice.

There are certain non University Institutions which confer titles.

Nobody can call themselves a Professor or former Professor at an established Institution without permission.

 

So if you are unsure of the credentials of somebody who calls themselves Professor ask them which subject and which Institutions.

 

In most countries people are often referred to as "Professor" as a mark of professional respect -less so in the UK.

***Changes email sig and everything else to say professor***

[Thirsty Relic 210]

2 hours ago, CaptainSwing said:

 

Mind you come to think of it I'm not really a Captain either ...

I don't think you  should be able to call yourself what you are not.  I'm a relic and am always thirsty.  You say you are not a Captain..........

[Anna B 1,401]

I believe the hierarchy of degrees is:

 

Degree or Degree with honors 

Masters degree 

Doctorate (PhD)

 

Professorship (but these are appointed on merit and/or body of work, rather than with examinations) 

 

[Pkingy 10]

Can you still call yourself a professor if you are no longer working or is t for life

[Annie Bynnol 612]

Yes but not always using the name of the Institution.

In the UK an institution may award you the title Professor Emeritus of(subject) at (institution) allowing you to name the institution in your 'title'.

You may even have been made a Honourary  Professor at (institution).

You can also refer of to yourself as a 'former Professor' at (institution).

A retired(by age) Professor could be referred to as such. 

Some institutions may offer you a non-academic post allowing you to continue to to use the title Professor at (institution) for life.

Some institutions just allow it.

Most would only revoke or take civil action if it was a case of reputation.

The Criminal system would be involved if an advantage was gained or money was gained through misrepresentation.

 

In the UK anybody can call themselves a Professor but they cannot use the name of an Institution without permission. 

Much the same applies to awards, degrees, military rank, legal position etc.

 

[geared 303]

50 minutes ago, Pkingy said:

Can you still call yourself a professor if you are no longer working or is t for life

No, but then no-one will stop you.

 

Often a retiring Prof will get an honorary contract with their institution.

They remain a part of the University, but are not paid.  So technically they are still a Professor and can come and go on campus as they please.  They might also still have an office and stuff.