Edwyn Collins no longer a 'college drop-out' after honorary degree

Edwyn Collins, who has enjoyed a career of more than 30 years in the music industry, joked that he would no longer be considered 'a college drop-out' after receiving an honorary degree from Buckinghamshire New University.

He received the award in recognition of his strong influences and contribution to the national and international music industry during the last three decades and was honoured at a Bucks New University graduation ceremony at Wycombe Swan Theatre, in High Wycombe.

The singer was among a distinguished gathering of individuals honoured at Bucks New University's graduation ceremonies, including Olympic swimming champion Adrian Moorhouse MBE and author Roald Dahl's wife, Felicity.

Edwyn said: 'This award is an honour and a privilege, especially as my only previous academic life extended to a graphic design course when I was 18, where I dropped out after a year.

"It would have been hard to fathom then that I would one day be awarded an honorary MA.

"My son has always called me a college drop-out but that will have to all change now."

Edwyn's new album, Losing Sleep, is due to be released later in September, through Heavenly Recordings.

It features tracks co-written with Johnny Marr, Roddy Frame, Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy of Franz Ferdinand, Romeo Stodart of The Magic Numbers, Ryan Jarman of The Cribs, and The Drums.

It is the first album he has written and recorded since suffering a stroke in 2005.