The honorary title “Doctor Honoris Causa of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University” is awarded to prominent Ukrainian and foreign scientists, public figures, workers of culture and art, who have rendered great services to Ukraine or to the University.

Nominations for awarding the honorary title are submitted by the Academic Boards of the institutes, schools or other subdivisions of the University. The question of awarding the title is reviewed at the University Academic Board meeting upon submission from the Award Committee.

The Award Committee receives proposals as to the candidates, discusses them and, by secret ballot, decides whether to recommend the candidates for consideration at the University Academic Board meeting.

The decision on awarding the honorary title to the candidates is made by the University Academic Board by secret ballot and is considered approved in case of the positive ballot by two-thirds of those present at the meeting of the Board.

The persons awarded the honorary title “Doctor Honoris Causa of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University” receive a diploma of standard form, a gown, a pass, and an award pin, and their  names are recorded in “The Book of Doctors Honoris Causa of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University”, which is stored in the University History Museum.