Executive Head of a University, including Vice-Chancellor
The Executive Head of a university is the generic term that covers the Vice-Chancellor, President, Principal or Rector, irrespective of what the individual title may be.
The Vice-Chancellor,
President, etc, of a university is addressed according to rank and
name. If the subject of the letter concerns the university, the
style of 'Dear Vice-Chancellor' may be used.
In newer universities it is more usual to write to him or her by name.
In Cambridge the correct formal title for the Vice-Chancellor is The Right Worshipful the Vice-Chancellor (this also applies to a female Vice-Chancellor). In Oxford the correct formal title for the Vice-Chancellor is The Reverend the Vice-Chancellor (irrespective of whether he/she is in Holy Orders).
Some Scottish universities appoint a joint Vice-Chancellor and Principal, in which case he/she is addressed as Principal.
How to Address an Executive Head of a University, including a
Vice-Chancellor
The recommended social style of address is:
| Beginning of letter | Dear Sir Henry; Dear Dr Jones, etc, or Dear Vice-Chancellor, Principal, Rector, etc (particularly when writing on matters concerning his/her university) |
| End of letter | Yours sincerely |
| Envelope | Sir Philip Jones, CBE, LLD Vice-Chancellor of The University of Milton Keynes |
| Verbal address | By name, or Vice-Chancellor |
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