University of Westminster awards Honorary Doctorate to Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell

The prestigious Doctor of Letters award marks Stephen Cottrell’s services to the understanding of religion.

Born in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex in 1958, Stephen Cottrell was educated at Belfairs High School and Westminster’s predecessor, the Polytechnic of Central London, where he gained his Bachelor’s degree. After a brief spell of working in the film industry he began training at St Stephen’s House in Oxford, and was ordained at the age of 26. He later studied for a Master’s degree at St Mellitus College.

He then moved to West Yorkshire as Diocesan Missioner and Bishop’s Chaplain for Evangelism in the Diocese of Wakefield, and in 1998 he became a member of Springboard, the Archbishop of York and Canterbury’s team for evangelism. In 2001, Bishop Cottrell became Canon Pastor of Peterborough Cathedral, and three years later was consecrated as Bishop of Reading. He became Bishop of Chelmsford in 2010, and served there until 2020 when he became the 98th Archbishop of York. The Archbishop of York is the second most senior clerical position in the Church of England after the Archbishop of Canterbury.

As well as his appointment as Archbishop of York, he takes on a number of other roles and responsibilities. He is a founding member of the Church of England’s College of Evangelists, and has also chaired a group of bishops with an interest in the media. He is one of the authors of the Church of England’s pilgrim course, a major teaching and discipleship resource. He also chairs the Board of Church Army, an organisation committed to evangelism and social justice.

He has undertaken a number of walking pilgrimages, including twice walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain, as well as pilgrim routes in England. In 2002, he walked from Durham to York with young people from his church youth group.

Archbishop Stephen Cottrell is the author of more than 30 books, covering evangelism, spirituality and discipleship. Some of his major titles include a series of Lent and Holy Week meditations, The Things He Carried (2008), a follow up of reflections for Easter Day, The Things He Said (2009), and Christ in the Wilderness: Reflecting on the paintings of Stanley Spencer (2012), which prompted a recent podcast episode with Russell Brand where he discussed the crucifixion and resurrection. 

Talking about his appointment on Twitter, Stephen Cottrell said: “Delighted and humbled to be receiving an honorary degree from the University of Westminster at the Royal Festival Hall today. It’s a long time since I studied at what was then a Polytechnic, but it contributed to my love of learning and it’s great to see the fantastic opportunities it offers today.”

Professor Andrew Linn, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, added: “Archbishop Stephen is not a traditional religious leader, but he firmly embodies our Westminster values of being compassionate, responsible and progressive in all we do. He is also a stellar example of how a Westminster degree is the start, the open door to an infinite variety of often surprising careers, and he is a source of inspiration for our new graduates.”

Learn more about the University of Westminster's Honorary Awards.