Sally Wainwright (Sparkhouse, remember?)

Sally Wainwright, ... has just been awarded with an honorary degree by my local university of York.  That's great news Jay.

Have you seen LTIH? I love the show and Sarah Lancashire's character in it was married to a professor from 'York University' (he said) and he followed it with this line which I laughed at because the character then explained the university in York, UK not the one in Canada!  My brother went to the one here in Toronto and it is actually called York University: http://www.yorku.ca/index.html 

I managed to watch a lot of LTIH but then I missed a couple of episodes and lost the thread. Sarah Lancashire is wonderful in everything she appears in and plays the charismatic policewoman in Happy Valley, her best performance ever.

Fun connection with York University for you, Lois! Now, the way you name universities in the UK has subtle implications. Many cities have more than one. If it is called The University of....., as in The University of York, then it is the original, established university, the one with the good reputation, the one that has been around for years. Thus, although the famous university in the city of Oxford is often referred to as Oxford University for short, its official title is The University of Oxford. Because, if it is called ........University, as in York University, then it is a lesser college, the one that doesn't have such a strong academic reputation, the one that doesn't require such high grades to get into, the one that hasn't been around for very long or was something like a polytechnic college before the government converted it overnight to a university so that it could cater to the high demand for university places, LOL. Or, perhaps it's called York University because it is a pretend one in a TV drama. The University of York is the real one!

 No I think the character actually meant the University of York (although, I not sure if it confirmed on the show but seeing that Sally W has a hand in it, ) but then since he had said York University (just as how one says Oxford Uni I suppose), he had to explain himself.

And I do believe it is the same here re the naming of universities.  While my brother went to York U (which is quite reputable to be sure), I went to the University of Toronto. 

Thanks for explaining, Lois! It's interesting that the naming of universities tradition has crossed the Atlantic. I wonder if it is the same in the States?

Btw, I am hiding behind the sofa at the moment waiting for someone like your brother who didn't go to an 'original' university but attended one which, nevertheless, has a good reputation, to jump down my throat and accuse me of elitism. But, what bothers me about this naming is that those who hope to attend a British university might be fooled by it. I met an American who was very proud that she was at 'Oxford University' and was paying a lot of money for the privilege. When I asked her what college she was attached to, she said Oxford Brookes - which is definitely not part of The University of Oxford - it just happens to be in the city - and will not carry anywhere near the same kudos when she applies for a job.

Btw, I am hiding behind the sofa at the moment waiting for someone like your brother who didn't go to an 'original' university but attended one which, nevertheless, has a good reputation, to jump down my throat and accuse me of elitism.I hope there is room for me behind that sofa! 

I should add that YU is an exception here in that naming system. It is the third largest university in all of Canada (and it does have full university status) and the only one affiliated with the Canadian space program and the oldest film school as well (thanks Wiki!). 

I'm not sure about the US but I know they have another tier with the colleges.

Community colleges (2 year or vocational training, AA degrees), 4 year colleges (though many offer Masters programs), universities. You have colleges within universities.

As far as naming goes you have places like NC State University and also UNC (University of North Carolina). Two different universities but the same level of education.

Thanks for the info, broughps.

As far as Wainwright's honorary degree goes, this is a worthy award from a very reputable university. But, it's interesting how articles about her never seem to mention Sparkhouse. It was a very good early effort and I loved the John Standring character. When new fans go off to watch it, they have difficulty spotting RA because he's such a chameleon in this.

But, it's interesting how articles about her never seem to mention Sparkhouse.What I've noticed is that articles usually refer to the latest/most notable/award worthy show/performance in reference to the actor/director/writers contributions. So not having "Sparkhouse" referenced here makes sense to me.

Still, I do see what you mean Jay especially with reference to this particular article about the University of York's honorary degree award. Although, tbh, I wasn't a fan of "Sparkhouse" myself and only sat through it for RA.