Sam Heughan and Ncuti Gatwa to receive honorary degrees from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Outlander’s starring man and the next Doctor Who timelord are to be honoured by their former drama school as its class of 2022 graduates next month.

Actors Sam Heughan and Ncuti Gatwa will be awarded honorary degrees from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) on July 7, alongside musician Marin Alsop and composer Errollyn Wallen.

Heughan, best known for his role as warrior Jamie Fraser in the hit historical TV drama Outlander, graduated from the BA Acting degree course at the RCS in Glasgow in 2003.

Gatwa, who is best known for his breakthrough role as the lovable and flamboyant Eric Effigong in Netflix’s Sex Education, is set to take over the role of Doctor Who from Jodie Whittaker and is also filming for the upcoming Barbie film featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

The Rwandan-born actor was raised in Edinburgh and went on to attend the RCS in Glasgow, graduating with a BA in acting in 2013.

RCS’s principal Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, said the conservatoire was “delighted to be honouring four exceptional artists who not only entertain audiences across the globe but continue to inspire and show real leadership”.

More than 300 students will graduate next month from the Glasgow-based school across the disciplines of music, drama, dance, production, film and education.

Professor Sharkey said: “Graduation is a highlight of the year, and we can’t wait to join our students for what is always a wonderful day of joyful celebration.

“To be able to come together in person to mark their achievements, after the challenges of the last two years, will have extra significance. It is also an opportunity to recognise the groundbreaking artists who use their art, and platforms, as powerful vehicles for change.”

Students who were unable to attend in-person summer graduations for the classes of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic are also being invited back next month to mark the milestone.