UK rapper Stormzy received an honorary degree from the University of Cambridge  on Wednesday.  

The London based grime artist, real name Michael Omari Owuo Junior, was awarded a doctorate in law during a special congregation at Senate House.

Stormzy, with four number one singles on the UK charts, launched his own scholarship programme at the prestigious university in 2018.

The funding originally covered two Black British students each year for their tuition and maintenance costs before expanding to a further ten.

Fifty-five students have benefited from the Stormzy Scholarship, leading to what’s known as the ‘Stormzy effect’—a rise in Black student applications to Cambridge.

Stormzy’s doctorate in law is in recognition of his philanthropic work including in education, music, sport and literature.

UK rapper Stormzy prepared to receive an honorary degree at the University of Cambridge on Wednesday

Stormzy, with four number one singles on the UK charts, launched his own scholarship programme at the prestigious university in 2018 

The rapper was joined by his fellow recipients while filing into Senate House in Cambridge

The musician stands alongside notable figures like Sir Simon Russell Beale, Professor Angela Davis, Lady Arden of Heswall, Dame Katherine Grainger, Sir Oliver Hart, Professor Maria Leptin, and Sir John Rutter as award recipients.

Stormzy first introduced his scholarship initiative during a visit to his alma mater, the Harris City Academy located in Croydon, south London, back in 2018.

He said: ‘We’re a minority, the playing ground isn’t level for us and it’s vital that all potential students are given the same opportunity.’

He added that he hoped it will help black Cambridge University students pay their tuition fees and serve as a reminder to young people from all backgrounds that they have the opportunity to get the best education.

The MOBO award winning rapper previously told BBC Breakfast: ‘If you’re academically brilliant don’t think because you come from a certain community that studying at one of the highest education institutions in the world isn’t possible.’

The scholarship aims to encourage the admission of more black students to top universities, after the Financial Times found that some Cambridge colleges didn’t take in any black students from 2012 to 2016.

The university says that it admitted 58 black students on to undergraduate courses in 2017.

Stormzy revealed he harboured ambitions of studying at either Oxford or Cambridge when he was at school.

The London based grime artist, real name Michael Omari Owuo Junior, will be awarded a doctorate in law during a special congregation at Senate House

Stormzy’s doctorate in law is in recognition of his philanthropic work including in education, music, sport and literature

Stormzy joins Sir Simon Russell Beale, Professor Angela Davis, Lady Arden of Heswall, Dame Katherine Grainger, Sir Oliver Hart, Professor Maria Leptin and Sir John Rutter in receiving awards

Despite achieving six A*s, three A’s and three B’s at GCSE, Stormzy didn’t attend university due to his developing passion for music.

He said: ‘Luckily for myself when I was going through school, I had the academic ability.

‘I was always reminded by my teachers that I was destined, if I wanted, to go down that road and study at one of the top universities.

‘I diverted and ended up doing music so it didn’t happen for me. I thought I was quite a rare case in that I knew that was possible.

‘That’s not always the case. When students are young, academically brilliant and getting great grades, they should know that’s an option.’

The rapper appeared to be in a cheerful mood as he prepared to receive his honorary degree

Stormzy was seen with President of the European Research Council, Maria Leptin, outside Senate House ahead of the ceremony

Fifty-five students have been supported by the Stormzy Scholarship and birthed the ‘Stormzy effect’ – an increase in applications to Cambridge from Black students

Stormzy (top row, centre) with a handful of students after launching his scholarship scheme

The rapper originally announced his scholarship scheme during an appearance at his former school, the Harris City Academy in Croydon, south London, in 2018 (pictured)

The rapper was flanked by a security guard as he arrived at Senate House in Cambridge on Wednesday afternoon 

Stormzy wore a sober black suit and polished leather shoes while making his way onto the grounds of Senate House 

The rapper flashed a smile after arriving at the prestigious seat of learning on Wednesday

Stormzy also admitted he did not get the grades he was hoping for.

He said: ‘As someone who used to class myself as an academic, I know how tough it is. I coasted through GCSEs, came to Harris Crystal Palace Sixth Form and started my A-levels.

‘I remember coming to my results day and looking at my results and they shocked me. I didn’t do too great at A-levels.

‘That shock to the system showed me that education is a tough thing. When kids are dedicated and they’re smashing it and getting great results, that’s difficult.’

Wednesday’s honorary degree comes as Stormzy prepares to front a new National Theatre diversity drive after signing up for a ‘top secret’ project at the iconic London venue.

The Croydon-born grime artist has been scouted by new National Theatre boss Indhu Rubasingham as she looks to modernise and diversify its creative output.

As the South Bank venue’s first female and ethnic minority artistic director, Rubasingham has announced plans to stage rap adaptations of classic Greek tragedy, although Stormzy’s involvement is yet to be clarified.

The subversive move is part of a wider aim to build an international audience through the National Theatre’s online streaming platform, National Theatre At Home. 

(from third left to right) Sir Simon Russell Beale, Professor Angela Davis, the President of the European Research Council, Maria Leptin, Stormzy and Dame Katherine Grainger

The honorary degree comes as Stormzy prepares to front a new National Theatre diversity drive after signing up for a ‘top secret’ project at the iconic London venue 

The procession is pictured filing into Senate House ahead of Wednesday’s ceremony