The former star received the degree of Honorary Doctor of Letters in recognition of her contribution to British television and theatre, and her courage in sharing her personal story to help others.
The actress, who was born and raised in Gateshead and still lives in the North East, said she was “absolutely thrilled” to receive the degree.
She said: “To receive this degree from a local University was an honour and I’ll be proudly displaying the certificate pride of place!”
Jill made her first mark on screen at the age of 14, joining the cast of the iconic Newcastle children’s drama Byker Grove.
Award-winning actress Jill Halfpenny has collected another accolade after being awarded an honorary degree by Northumbria University. (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
Over more than three decades she has become a mainstay of British television and theatre, starring in the likes of Coronation Street, Eastenders, and Waterloo Road.
She also won an Olivier Award for her West End stage appearance in Legally Blonde and lifted the Strictly Come Dancing glitterball.
Now living back in the North East, she continues to champion the region’s emerging creative talent.
Northumbria University is awarding honorary degrees to 14 distinguished individuals at its summer graduation ceremonies, in recognition of their outstanding achievements across the worlds of screen and stage, sport, science, business, law and the creative arts.
In addition to Jill Halfpenny, degrees are being awarded to a further 13 inspirational figures, many of whom studied at Northumbria, or who have a strong connection to the region.
Award-winning actress Jill Halfpenny has collected another accolade after being awarded an honorary degree by Northumbria University. (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
Among those are cricketer Mark Wood, screenwriter Peter Straughan, novelist Chris K Jones, and chief legal officer and Adobe executive vice president Louise Pentland.
Professor Andy Long, vice-chancellor and chief executive of Northumbria University said: “Honorary degrees recognise the very best of what people can achieve, and this year’s recipients embody that in every sense – outstanding individuals, innovators and trailblazers who have reached the highest levels of their fields.
“What makes this moment even more special is how many of them started right here at Northumbria. To see former students return as honorary graduates, having taken the North “East’s name onto the world stage, is a powerful reminder to our Class of 2026 of just how far their own journeys could take them.”
The honorary degrees are being awarded during Northumbria’s summer academic congregations, which run from July 8 to 15.
Approximately 5,500 students are set to attend the summer graduation ceremonies as part of the Class of 2026.