View source for Rector (academia)

{{Short description|Academic official}}
{{Other uses|Rector (disambiguation){{!}}Rector}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2010}}

{{original research|date=June 2025}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
[[File:Inauguration-Lubomir-Dvorak.jpg|thumb|right|Inauguration of Rector [[Lubomír Dvořák]] ([[Palacký University Olomouc|Palacký University]])]]

A '''rector''' ([[Latin language|Latin]] for 'ruler') is a senior official in an [[educational institution]], and can refer to an official in either a [[university]] or a [[secondary school]]. Outside the [[English-speaking world]], the rector is often the most senior official in a university, while in the United States, the highest-ranking officer within a university's academic administration is often referred to as [[President (education)|president]]. In the United Kingdom and [[Commonwealth of Nations]], a university's chief executive is called [[vice-chancellor]]. The term and office of a rector can be referred to as a rectorate. The title is used widely in universities in Europe<ref group=Notes>European nations where the word ''rector'' or a cognate thereof (''rektor'', ''recteur'', etc.) is used in referring to university administrators include [[Albania]], [[Austria]], [[Benelux|the Benelux]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Croatia]], [[Cyprus]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Denmark]], [[Estonia]], [[Finland]], [[Germany]], [[Greece]], [[Hungary]], [[Iceland]], [[Italy]], [[Latvia]], [[Malta]], [[Moldova]], [[North Macedonia]], [[Poland]], [[Portugal]], [[Romania]], [[Russia]], [[Scandinavia]], [[Scotland]], [[Serbia]], [[Slovenia]], [[Slovakia]], [[Spain]], [[Turkey]] and [[Ukraine]].</ref> and is very common in [[Latin American]] countries.<ref group=Notes>''Rector'' is used for university administrators in Latin American nations such as: [[Argentina]], [[Bolivia]], [[Brazil]], [[Chile]], [[Colombia]], [[Paraguay]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Cuba]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Guatemala]], [[Mexico]], [[Peru]] and [[Venezuela]].</ref> It is also used in [[Brunei]], [[Macau]], [[Turkey]], [[Russia]], [[Pakistan]], the [[Philippines]], [[Indonesia]], [[Israel]] and the [[Middle East]]. In the [[ancient universities of Scotland]] the rector, elected by students (and staff at Edinburgh), is formally the third most senior officer of the university and was historically responsible for chairing the [[university court]].

==Europe==
{{anchor|magnificus}}
=== Austria ===
In a few "Crown lands" of the Austrian Empire, one seat in [[Landtag|federal state parliament]]s was reserved for the rector of the capital's university, notably: Graz in [[Styria]], [[Innsbruck]] in [[Tyrol (state)|Tyrol]], and Vienna; in [[Bohemia]], two rectors had seats in the equivalent state diet.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Today, Austrian universities are headed by a rectorate (vice-chancellor's office), consisting of a rector (vice-chancellor), who is elected by the university council, and 3-5 additional vice rectors (pro-vice-chancellors). The rector (vice-chancellor) is the CEO of the university.<ref>[[:de:Universitätsgesetz 2002]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=January 2024}}

=== Belgium ===
The head of Belgian universities is called a ''president'', ''recteur'' (French-speaking universities), ''rector'' (Dutch-speaking universities), previously ''rector magnificus'' (men) or ''rectrix magnifica'' (women).

===Czech Republic===
The heads of [[List of universities in the Czech Republic|Czech universities]] are called the ''rektor''. The rector acts in the name of the university and decides the university's affairs unless prohibited by law. The rector is nominated by the University Academic Senate and appointed by the [[President of the Czech Republic]]. The nomination must be agreed by a [[Plurality (voting)|simple majority]] of all senators, while a dismissal must be agreed by at least three fifths of all senators. The vote to elect or repeal a rector is secret. The term of office is four years and a person may hold it for at most two consecutive terms.

The rector appoints vice-rectors (''pro-rektor''), who act as deputies to the extent determined by the Rector. Rectors' salaries are determined directly by the Minister of Education.

Among the most important rectors of Czech universities were reformer [[Jan Hus]], physician [[Jan Jesenius]], theologian [[Rodrigo de Arriaga]] and representative of [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] [[Josef Vratislav Monse]]. [[Jiřina Popelová]] ([[Palacký University of Olomouc]]) became the first female Rector in 1950.

The rectors are addressed "Your Magnificence Rector" (''"Vaše Magnificence pane rektore"'').

===Denmark===
In Danish, ''rektor'' is the title used in referring to the heads of universities, [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasiums]], schools of commerce and construction, etc. Generally ''rektor'' may be used for the head of any educational institution above the primary school level, where the head is commonly referred to as a 'skoleinspektør' (Headmaster; Inspector of the school). In universities, the second-ranked official of governance is known as ''prorektor''.

=== Finland ===
In Finland, the head of a primary school or secondary schools is called a rector (''rehtori'') provided the school is of sufficient size in terms of faculty and students, otherwise the title is headmaster (''koulunjohtaja''). The head of some Finnish universities is called chancellor (''kansleri'').

===Germany===
The head of a German university is called either ''Rektor'' (rector) or ''Präsident'' (president). The difference is usually that a ''Rektor'' is elected by the Senate from among the professors of the university (which is the traditional method of choosing the head of a German university), while a ''Präsident'' need be neither a professor nor a member of the university (or of any university) prior to appointment. The ''Rektor'' is traditionally addressed as ''Magnifizenz''. The rector forms a collegiate leadership body together with the pro-rectors (''Prorektor'') and the university's chancellor (''Kanzler'') - collectively the rectorate (''Rektorat''). The rectorate is usually aided by several advisors (''Referent'') who provide advice on specific topics and take over responsibilities in the preparation of decisions, roughly comparable to an associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor in the British academic system.

''Rektor'' is also the official title of the principal/headmaster of an elementary school; the deputies are called ''Konrektor''.  In earlier times, the title ''Rektor'' was also used for the head of a [[Gymnasium (Germany)|Gymnasium]]. Today, these teachers usually hold the title of ''Oberstudiendirektor'' ("Senior Director of Studies").

===Iceland===
The ''rektor'' is term used for the headmaster or headmistress of Icelandic universities and of some [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasia]].

===Italy===
[[File:Renzi Dionigi 2015.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Then Rector of the [[Bologna University]], [[Ivano Dionigi]], with then Prime Minister of Italy [[Matteo Renzi]], in 2015.]]
In [[Italy]] the rector is the head of the university and ''Rappresentante Legale'' (Legal representative) of the university. The rector is elected by an electoral body composed of all ''Professori ordinari ed associati'' (full and associate professors), the two highest ranks of the Italian university faculty, all the ''Ricercatori'' (lowest rank of departments) and representatives of the staff, students and PhD students.

The term of a ''rettore'' is now six years, in accordance with the new national regulation and the ''statuto'' (constitution of the university).

The Rettore is styled and formally greeted as ''Magnifico Rettore'' (Magnificent Rector).

===Netherlands===
In the Netherlands, the rector is the principal of a high school. The rector is supported by conrectors (deputy rectors who can take his place).

In Dutch universities, the ''Rector Magnificus''  is responsible for the scientific vision and quality of the university. The ''rector magnificus'' is one of the members of the executive board of a university. The ''rector magnificus'' is a [[full professor]]. The ceremonial responsibilities of the ''rector magnificus ''are to open the [[academic year]], and to preside over the ceremonial PhD defenses and inaugural lectures of newly appointed (full) professors. During PhD defenses the rector is usually replaced by another full professor who is acting rector during the session.

===Norway===
A rector ({{langx|no|rektor}}), in the context of academia, is the democratically elected head of a university or university college. The rector is the highest official of the university, and is traditionally elected among the institution's professorship, originally by all the (full) professors and in modern times by all academic employees, the students and the non-academic employees. The rector is traditionally the head of the ''Collegium Academicum'', which has been renamed the university board in the 2000s, and is also the university's chief executive and ceremonial head. The elected deputy of the rector is known as pro-rector ({{langx|no|prorektor}}). Some institutions also have vice rectors, who are appointed by the rector and subordinate to the rector and pro-rector.

Traditionally, Norwegian universities and colleges had democratic elections for the rector and pro-rector positions. Since 2016, the institutions may choose to have an elected or an appointed rector.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2005-04-01-15/KAPITTEL_3-2#%C2%A710-2|title=Lov om universiteter og høyskoler (universitets- og høyskoleloven) - Kapittel 10. Rektor. Administrerende direktør - Lovdata|website=lovdata.no}}</ref> Universities and colleges usually have a ''university director'' or ''college director'', who is the head of the administration (i.e., the non-academic employees) and subordinate to the rectorate.

===Poland===
In [[Poland]], the rector ({{langx|pl|rektor}}) serves as the elected head of a university or university college. In military and military-type higher education institutions, the equivalent position is referred to as commander ({{langx|pl|komendant}}). The rector is the highest official of the [[university]]. Rector of the university can be a person with at least a [[doctor (title)|doctoral]] degree, employed by the university as the main place of work. Rector is referred to as Jego/Jej Magnificencja (en. His/Her Magnificence) (abbreviation: JM). The outfit of rector is red or purple coat (robe) with [[Stoat|ermine]] fur, often with a [[scepter]] and a decorative string of symbols of the university. Deputy rectors ({{langx|pl|prorektor}}) at official ceremonies are dressed in the same [[gown]], but with fewer decorations (usually without the fur). Rectors of military universities wear only an officer's uniform and a necklace with symbols of the university.

As of 2008, the term of office of the rector of public universities lasts for four years (previously three years), beginning on 1 September in an election year and ending on 31 August of the year in which the term ends. A person may not be elected to serve as rector for more than two consecutive terms. In the case of private universities the rule is regulated by [[university]] statute.

===Portugal===
In [[Portugal]], the Rector ([[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]: ''Reitor'' male or ''Reitora'' female), frequently addressed as ''Magnificent Rector'' (''Magnífico Reitor'' in Portuguese), is the elected highest official of each [[List of universities and colleges in Portugal|university]], governing and representing the university.
Those universities whose foundation has been historically approved by the Pope, as e.g. the rector of the [[University of Coimbra]], the oldest Portuguese university, is referred to as ''Magnífico Reitor (Rector's name)'' ("Rector Magnificus (Rector's Name)"). The others are referred to as ''Excelentíssimo Senhor Reitor''.  The rector of a university is helped by vice-rectors and by pro-rectors, with different responsibilities. Until 1974, the director of each [[Lyceum#Portugal|lyceum]] (high school) also had the title of Rector.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

===Russia===
In [[Russia]], the rector ({{langx|ru|Ректор}}) as a term for a university chancellor introduced in 1961. Before 1961 university chancellor had title "director" ({{langx|ru|Директор}}).

===Spain===
In Spain, all Rectors must be addressed as ''Señor Rector Magnífico'' according to the law (Ley Orgánica 4/2007), but the Rector of the [[University of Salamanca]], the oldest on the Iberian Peninsula, is usually styled according to academic protocol as ''Excelentísimo e Ilustrísimo Señor Profesor Doctor [[Don (honorific)|Don]] (Rector's name), Rector Magnífico de la Universidad de Salamanca'' ("The Most Excellent and Most Illustrious Lord Professor Doctor Don (Rector's name), ''Rector Magnificus'' of the University of Salamanca").

In [[Spain]], ''Rector'' or ''Rector Magnífico'' (magnific rector, from Latin ''Rector Magnificus'') is the highest administrative and educational office in a university, equivalent to that of president or chancellor of an English-speaking university but holding all the powers of a vice-chancellor; they are thus the head of the academy at universities. Formally styled as ''Excelentísimo e Ilustrísimo Señor Profesor Doctor Don N, Rector Magnífico de la Universidad de X'' ("Most Excellent and Illustrious Lord Professor Doctor Don N, Rector Magnificus of the University of X"), it is an office of high dignity within Spanish society, usually being highly respected. It is not strange to see them appear in the media, especially when some academic-related subject is being discussed and their opinion is requested.

Spanish rectors are chosen from within the body of university full [[professor]]s (''Catedráticos'' in Spanish); it is compulsory for anyone aspiring to become a rector to have been a doctor for at least six years before his election, and to have achieved professor status, holding it in the same university for which he is running. Usually, when running for election, the rector will need to have chosen the vice-rectors (''vicerrectores'' in Spanish), who will occupy several sub-offices in the university. Rectors are elected directly by free and secret universal suffrage of all the members of the university, including students, lecturers, readers, researchers, and civil servants. However, the weight of the vote in each academic sector is different: the total student vote usually represents 20% of the whole, no matter how many students there are; the votes of the entire group made up of professors and readers (members of what used to be known as the ''Claustro'' (''[[cloister]]'')) usually count for about 40-50% of the total; lecturers, researchers (including Ph.D. students and others) and non-doctoral teachers, about 20% of the total; and the remainder (usually some 5-10%) is left for non-scholarly workers (people in administration, etc.) in the university. Spanish law allows those percentages to be changed according to the situation of each university, or even not to have a direct election system. Indeed, in a few universities the Rector is chosen indirectly; the members of the modern ''Claustro'' (a sort of electoral college or parliament in which all the above-mentioned groups are represented) is chosen first, and then the Claustro selects the Rector.

Rectors hold their office for four years before another election is held, and there is no limit to the number of re-election terms. However, only the most charismatic and respected rectors have been able to hold their office for more than two or three terms. Of those, some have been notable [[Spanish people|Spanish]] scholars, such as [[Basque people|Basque]] writer [[Miguel de Unamuno]], Rector of the [[University of Salamanca]] from 1901 until 1936.

===Sweden===
''Rektor'' is the title for the highest-ranked administrative and educational leader for an academic institution, such as a primary school, secondary school, private school, high school, college or university. The ''rektors'' of state-run colleges and universities are formally appointed by the government, i.e. the cabinet, but upon the advice of the concerned institution's board, and usually following some sort of democratic process at the concerned institution. The adjunct of a ''rektor'' at a university is called a ''prorektor'' and is appointed by the institution's board. Some institutions also have ''vicerektorer'' (vice rectors), who are appointed by the ''rektor'' to carry out a sub-set of the ''rektor's'' tasks. A ''vicerektor'' is subordinate to the ''rektor'' and ''prorektor''.

In the older universities, [[Uppsala university]] and [[Lund university]], the ''rektor'' is titled ''rector magnificus'' (men), or ''rectrix magnifica'' (women). Younger universities have in more recent years started using the Latin honorary title in formal situations, such as in honorary speeches or graduation ceremonies.

The University Chancellor of Sweden was until 2017 the title of the head of the government accrediting agency, the [[National Agency for Higher Education]]. From 2017, this position carries the title Director General which is the usual title of the head of a government agency. The people recruited to the position have in later times always been former ''rektors'' of a Swedish university. The position does not include leadership of a university.

Universities and colleges usually have a ''Universitetsdirektör'' or ''Förvaltningschef'', who is the head of the administration (i.e., the non-academic employees) and subordinate to the rectorate.

===Switzerland===
The heads of the [[universities in Switzerland]], usually elected by the college of professors, are titled rector (''Rektor'', ''recteur'').

===United Kingdom===
====England====
In England, most universities are led by a chancellor (a ceremonial position) and a vice-chancellor (the academic head). Where the title of 'rector' is used for a substantive position, it has normally been for the leaders of non-university institutions such as university colleges, polytechnics and colleges of higher education, or for [[head of college|heads of college]] at colleges in federal or collegiate universities.

At [[Liverpool Hope University]], the academic head of the university has the title of "vice-chancellor and rector".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hope.ac.uk/aboutus/governance/leadershipandmanagement/|title=Leadership and management|at=Vice-Chancellor & Rector|website=Liverpool Hope University|access-date=16 March 2023}}</ref> Prior to the institution becoming a university in 2005, the head of Liverpool Hope University College was titled "rector".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hope.ac.uk/news/allnews/hope-bids-farewell-to-vice-chancellor-professor-pillay.html|title=Hope bids farewell to Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pillay|website=Liverpool Hope University|access-date=15 July 2025|date=16 December 2022}}</ref> The title is also used at the [[University of Oxford]] by the [[head of college|heads of college]] at [[Lincoln College, Oxford|Lincoln College]] and [[Exeter College, Oxford|Exeter College]]. The head of Mater Ecclesiae College, the [[Pontifical faculty]] within [[St Mary's University, Twickenham]], also uses the title of rector.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/news/2024/new-rector-appointed-at-mater-ecclesiae-college|title=New Rector Appointed at Mater Ecclesiae College|website=St Mary's University|access-date=16 July 2025}}</ref>

The title of rector is also used for the ceremonial head (normally titled chancellor at British universities) of [[Brunel University London]]<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.brunel.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/Our-new-Rector-Professor-Dame-Jocelyn-Bell-Burnell|title= Our new Rector: Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell|access-date=15 July 2025 |website= Brunel University}}</ref> and [[City St George's, University of London]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/about/governance/rector|title=Rector|website=City St George's|access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref> At [[Durham University]], the titular and religious head of [[St Chad's College]] is the rector (a position held ''ex officio'' by the [[Dean of Durham Cathedral]]), while the academic head is the principal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stchads.ac.uk/about/people/governance/|title=Governance|website=St Chad's College|access-date=16 July 2025}}</ref> 

Historically, the [[President of Imperial College London|head of Imperial College London]] was called the rector, until this was split into a [[Provost (education)|provost]] and "president and rector" in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/109629/imperial-college-london-announces-plans-leadership/|title= Imperial College London announces plans for new leadership|date=30 April 2012|website=Imperial College|access-date=16 March 2023}}</ref> In 2014, [[Alice Gast]] was announced as simply president, replacing [[Keith O'Nions]] who had been "president and rector".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/imperial-colleges-new-president-to-be-alice-gast/2010175.article|title=Imperial College's new president to be Alice Gast|date=3 January 2014|work=Times Higher Education|author=Holly Else}}</ref> An amendment to the university's statutes in November 2014 formally replaced the title of rector with that of president.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/administration-and-support-services/secretariat/public/college-governance/charters-statutes-ordinances-regulations/charters-and-statutes/CHARTER---July-2007--(Rev--Nov-2014).pdf|date=5 November 2014|title=Charter and Statutes 2007|at=Explanatory Note|access-date=16 March 2023}}</ref> Prior to their conversion to universities, some [[Polytechnic (United Kingdom)|polytechnics]] had a rector as the head of the establishment; following their transition to universities, the position of rector was retitled as vice-chancellor. Polytechnics using this title included [[Polytechnic of Central London|Central London]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/may/24/guardianobituaries.highereducation|title=Colin Adamson-Macedo|author=Terence Burlin|date=24 May 2005 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> [[Polytechnic of East London|East London]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-professor-gerald-fowler-2322030.html|title= Obituary: Professor Gerald Fowler|work=The Independent|date=10 May 1993}}</ref> [[Huddersfield Polytechnic|Huddersfield]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/professor-kenneth-james-durrands-cbe-first-rector-of-huddersfield-polytechnic-19701992-and-vice-chancellor-of-the-university-of-huddersfield-19921995-22505|title=Professor Kenneth James Durrands, CBE, First Rector of Huddersfield Polytechnic (1970–1992) and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield (1992–1995)|website=Art.UK|access-date=16 July 2025}}</ref> [[Liverpool Polytechnic|Liverpool]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/bicentenary/our-people/peter-toyne/peter-toyne-profile|title=Professor Peter Toyne CBE DL|website=Liverpool John Moores University|access-date=16 July 2025}}</ref> and [[Sunderland Polytechnic|Sunderland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://alumni.sunderland.ac.uk/Get-Together/Bygones/Celebrating-25-years-as-university|title= Celebrating 25 years of the University of Sunderland|website=University of Sunderland Alumni Association|access-date=16 July 2025}}</ref> Some colleges of higher education, such as [[Nene College of Higher Education]], also used the title of rector prior to becoming universities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://educatorscompany.org/past-master-martin-gaskell-dl/|title=Dr Martin Gaskell DL|website=Worshipful Company of Educators|access-date=17 July 2025}}</ref> King's College, Newcastle, the Newcastle division of the then-federal University of Durham, was led by a rector from its establishment in 1937 until it became [[Newcastle University]] in 1963, when the rector of the college became the vice-chancellor of the new university. The position of [[List of vice-chancellors and wardens of Durham University|vice-chancellor of the federal university]] alternated between the rector of King's College (as vice-chancellor and rector) and the warden of the Durham colleges, the head of the Durham division (as vice-chancellor and warden).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/47b5ad89-7ff4-318a-98e8-97d5034aaa2a|title= Durham University Records: King's College|access-date=16 July 2025|website=JISC Archives Hub}}</ref> At the [[University of Cambridge]], the officers now known as [[proctor]]s were originally (in the 13th century) called rectors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/university-archives/glossary/rector|title=Rector|website= Cambridge University Library|access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref>

====Scotland====
=====Ancient universities=====
{{Main|Ancient university governance in Scotland}}
In Scotland, the position of rector exists in the four [[Ancient universities of Scotland|ancient universities]] ([[University of St Andrews|St Andrews]], [[University of Glasgow|Glasgow]], [[University of Aberdeen|Aberdeen]] and [[University of Edinburgh|Edinburgh]]) as well as at [[University of Dundee|Dundee]], which took its governance systems from its early connections to the University of St Andrews.<ref name="scottish_rector"/>

The current office of rector, sometimes termed ''lord rector'', was instituted by the [[Universities (Scotland) Act 1858]], passed by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]].<ref name="act_1858">{{Cite legislation UK|type=act|year=1858|chapter=83|act=Universities (Scotland) Act 1858}}</ref> With the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889 requiring an election for the rector every three years in the [[ancient universities of Scotland|ancient universities]].<ref>{{Cite legislation UK|type=act|year=1889|chapter=55|act=Universities (Scotland) Act 1889}}</ref> The rector is the third-ranking official of university governance and is elected every three years by [[matriculation|matriculated]] students at Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and St Andrews, and by both the students and the staff at Edinburgh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ed.ac.uk/governance-strategic-planning/governance/university-court/standing-orders|title=Standing Orders of the University Court {{!}} The University of Edinburgh|website=www.ed.ac.uk|language=en|date=12 May 2014|publisher=University of Edinburgh|access-date=1 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/court_rector_role.pdf |title='The University Rector' |access-date=2010-09-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813193010/http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/court_rector_role.pdf |archive-date=13 August 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="scottish_rector">{{Cite web|url=https://www.abdn.ac.uk/documents/scottish-university-rector.pdf|title=The Scottish University Rector - Introduction to the role of University Rector in Scotland|date=2007|website=www.abdn.ac.uk|publisher=Scottish Rectors' Group|access-date=30 April 2017}}</ref> Until the [[Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016]] came into force, the rector chaired meetings of the [[university court]], the governing body of the university;  since 2016 the rector only opens and closes court meetings with the senior lay member chairing the business of the meeting.<ref name=standrews-20240415>{{cite web |url=https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/assets/university/about/documents/governance/court/independent-investigation-29-July-2024.pdf |title=Independent Investigation |last=Ross |first=Morag |website=University of St Andrews |date=15 April 2024 |access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref>

The [[titular ruler|titular head]] of an ancient university in Scotland is the [[Chancellor (education)|chancellor]], who appoints a vice-chancellor to deputise in the awarding of [[academic degree|degrees]]. The [[University Principal|principal]] of each university is, by [[Convention (norm)|convention]], appointed as vice-chancellor, however the position of vice-chancellor does not confer any other powers or responsibility on the principal. The authority to serve as chief executive of each university is vested in the office of principal, who holds both offices referred to as ''principal and bice-chancellor''.<ref name="Principal and VC">{{cite web|url=https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/about/governance/key-officials/principal/|title=University of St Andrews: The Principal and Vice-Chancellor|publisher=University of St Andrews|access-date=1 May 2017|archive-date=29 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329051628/http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/about/governance/key-officials/principal/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="act_1858"/>

The role of the rector is considered by many students{{By whom|Which students think this?=|date=May 2017}} to be integral to their ability to shape the universities' agenda, and one of the main functions of the rector is to represent the interests of the student body. To some extent the office of rector has evolved into more of a figurehead role, with a significant number of celebrities and personalities elected as rectors, such as [[Stephen Fry]] and [[Lorraine Kelly]] at [[Rector of the University of Dundee|Dundee]], [[Clarissa Dickson Wright]] at [[Rector of the University of Aberdeen|Aberdeen]], and [[John Cleese]] and [[Frank Muir]] at [[Rector of the University of St Andrews|St Andrews]], and political figures, such as [[Mordechai Vanunu]] at [[Rector of the University of Glasgow|Glasgow]]. In many cases, particularly with high-profile rectors, attendance at the university court in person is rare;{{Citation needed|date=May 2017}} the rector nominates an individual (normally a member of the student body) with the title of ''rector's assessor'', who sits as a voting member of the university court.<ref name="assessor">{{Cite web|url=https://www.yourunion.net/voice/rectorelection/assessor/|title=Rector's Assessor|website=www.yourunion.net|publisher=University of St Andrews Students' Association|access-date=30 April 2017}}</ref>

[[Gordon Brown]], the former [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]], was [[rector of the University of Edinburgh]] while a student there but since then most universities have amended their procedures to disqualify currently matriculated students from standing for election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ourhistory.is.ed.ac.uk/index.php/Election_of_Gordon_Brown_as_Rector,_1972|title=Election of Gordon Brown as Rector, 1972 - Our History|website=ourhistory.is.ed.ac.uk|publisher=University of Edinburgh|language=en|access-date=1 May 2017}}</ref>

{{As of|April 2025}}, the [[rector of the University of Aberdeen]] is [[Iona Fyfe]], a Scottish folk singer; the [[rector of the University of Dundee]] is arts consultant [[Keith Harris (artist manager)|Keith Harris]]; the [[rector of the University of Edinburgh]] is [[Simon Fanshawe]]; the [[rector of the University of Glasgow]] is [[Ghassan Abu-Sittah]]; and the [[rector of the University of St Andrews]] is Stella Maris.

=====High schools=====
Some Scottish high schools and [[secondary school]]s have a [[head teacher]] whose official title is ''rector'', an example being [[Bell Baxter High School]] in [[Cupar]], [[Fife]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bellbaxterhighschool.org.uk/Faculties-Staff/|title=Faculties & Staff|at=Senior Leadership Team |website=Bell-Baxter High School|access-date=16 July 2015}}</ref>

===Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey===
The rector is the head of most universities and other higher educational institutions in at least parts of Central and Eastern Europe, such as Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary and Ukraine. The rector's deputies are known as "pro-rectors". Individual departments of a university (called [[Faculty (division)|faculties]]) are headed by [[Dean (education)|deans]].

==North America==

===Canada===
Quebec's francophone universities such as the [[Université de Montréal]] and [[Université Laval]] use the term (''recteur'' or ''rectrice'' in French) to designate the head of the institution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-05 |title=Rector |url=https://www.umontreal.ca/en/rector/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Université de Montréal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sophie D'Amours {{!}} Université Laval |url=https://www.ulaval.ca/en/about-us/management-and-governance/universite-laval-rectors-since-1852/sophie-damours |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.ulaval.ca}}</ref> 

As in most Commonwealth and British-influenced countries, the term "rector" is not commonly used in English in Canada outside Quebec. At the bilingual [[University of Ottawa]], in Ontario the term president is used in English while ''recteur'' (or ''rectrice'') continues is the French term for the head of the university.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cabinet de la rectrice |url=https://www.uottawa.ca/notre-universite/rectrice |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Notre université |language=fr}}</ref> In addition, the historically French-Catholic, and now bilingual, [[Saint Paul University]], also in Ottawa, uses the term to denote its head.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rector |url=https://ustpaul.ca/en/rector/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Saint Paul University |language=en-US}}</ref> 

At the [[University of Manitoba]], affiliates such as the Roman Catholic [[St. Paul's College, Manitoba|St. Paul's College]] and the French language [[Université de Saint-Boniface]] also uses the term 'rector' to designate the head of those institutions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Paul's College {{!}} University of Manitoba - Our faculty and staff |url=http://umanitoba.ca/st-pauls-college/faculty-staff |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=St. Paul's College {{!}} University of Manitoba |language=en}}</ref>

[[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]] ([[Kingston, Ontario]]) uses the term "rector".  The term refers to a member of the student body elected to work as an equal with the [[chancellor (education)|chancellor]] and [[Principal (university)|principal]]. The Badge of Office of the Rector of Queen's University was registered with the [[Canadian Heraldic Authority]] on 15 October 2004.<ref>http://archive.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=511 Badge of Office</ref> See [[List of Rectors of Queen's University]].

=== Mexico ===
[[File:Enrique Graue Wiechers.jpg|thumb|[[Enrique Graue Wiechers|Enrique Graue]] 34th Rector of the [[National Autonomous University of Mexico|UNAM]] during his inaugural speech.]]
In Mexico, the term "rector" refers to the highest authority of most of National and State Universities, it is also usual in private Universities. The Schools and Faculties (''Facultades'' in Spanish) are in charge of Directors which are below the authority of the rector. The rector is often selected from the full time professors and have periods which vary in the different universities.

The rector of the [[National Autonomous University of Mexico]], the most relevant Mexican university, is an important mediatic figure of academic authority for all the country. The political relevance of the university makes the rector office one disputed political position and the ex-rectors are often related with the public service after their appointment, for example, [[Juan Ramón de la Fuente]] rector from 1999 to 2007 was [[Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations|Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations]] between 2018 and 2024, and since then is [[Ministry of foreign affairs|Minister for Foreign Affairs]] in the government of [[Claudia Sheinbaum]]. Similarly, [[José Narro Robles]] rector from  2007 to 2015 was after head of the [[Secretariat of Health (Mexico)|Ministry of Health]]. Since 2015 the office of rector on the UNAM is occupied by [[Enrique Graue Wiechers]], who was appointed for his second and last period (2019-2023).

===United States===
Most US colleges do not use the term "rector." The terms "president" and "chancellor" are often used for the chief executive of universities and university systems, depending on the institution's statutes or governing documents. Some state university systems have both "presidents" of the constituent institutions and a "chancellor" of the overall system, or vice versa; for example, in the [[University of California|University of California system]], each of the ten campuses is headed by a chancellor, while the leader of the system is given the title "president." Colleges and universities, or state systems, also typically have [[Governing boards of colleges and universities in the United States|governing boards]] (akin to a [[board of directors]]), which may be referred to by a variety of names, including "board of trustees" and "board of regents", and which are usually led by a chairperson.

"Rector" is commonly used in [[Virginia]], however. The [[University of Virginia]], [[University of Mary Washington]], [[George Mason University]], [[Virginia State University]], [[Virginia Commonwealth University]], [[Longwood University]], [[Washington and Lee University]], the [[College of William and Mary]], [[Old Dominion University]], [[Christopher Newport University]], and [[Virginia Tech]] all use the term "Rector" to designate the presiding officer of the [[Board of Visitors]] or "Board of Trustees", in the case of Washington and Lee. [[Thomas Jefferson]] served as the first rector of the University of Virginia, beginning in 1819, and intended that the school would not have a president; it lacked that position until 1904.

From 1701 to 1745, the head of the school that was to become [[Yale University]] was termed the "rector".  As head of [[Yale College]], [[Thomas Clap]] was both the last to be called "rector" (1740–1745) and the first to be referred to as president (1745–1766).  Modern custom omits the use of the term "rector" and identifies [[Abraham Pierson]] as the first Yale president (1701–1707), making Clap the fifth of Yale's leaders, regardless of title.<ref>Welch, Lewis ''et al.'' (1899). [https://books.google.com/books?id=V8wWAAAAIAAJ&dq=Yale+and+Noah+Porter&pg=PA445 ''Yale, Her Campus, Class-rooms, and Athletics,'' p. 445.]</ref>

Several [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] colleges and universities, particularly those run by [[Catholic religious order|religious orders of priests]] (such as the [[Jesuits]]) used to employ the term "rector" to refer to the school's chief officer. In many cases, the rector was also the head of the community of priests assigned to the school, so the two posts &ndash; head of the university and local superior of the priests &ndash; were merged in the role of rector (''See "[[Rector (ecclesiastical)|Ecclesiastical rectors]]"''). This practice is mostly no longer followed, as the details of the governance of most of these schools have changed. [[Creighton University]] still appoints a rector. At the [[University of Notre Dame]], the title "rector" is used for those in charge of individual [[University of Notre Dame residence halls|residence halls]].

Some American high schools also have a rector; for example, at [[St. Paul's School (New Hampshire)|St. Paul's School]] in [[New Hampshire]], the rector is equivalent to a [[Head teacher|headmaster]] or head of the school.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet the Rector {{!}} St. Paul's School |url=https://www.sps.edu/about/meet-the-rector |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.sps.edu |language=en}}</ref>

== Oceania ==
=== Australia ===
The term "rector" is uncommon in Australian academic institutions. The executive head of an Australian university has traditionally been given the British title Vice-Chancellor, although in recent times the American term President has also been adopted. The term rector is used by some academic institutions, such as the University of Melbourne residential college, Newman College; the private boys' school, Xavier College; and the University of Sydney residential college, St John's College (Benedictine).

The title rector is sometimes used for the head of a subordinate and geographically separate campus of a university.  For example, the executive head of the [[Australian Defence Force Academy]] in Canberra, which is a campus of the [[University of New South Wales]] in Sydney is a Rector, as is the head of the Cairns campus of [[James Cook University]], based at Townsville.

=== New Zealand ===
The title is used in New Zealand for the [[headmaster]] of some independent schools, such as [[Lindisfarne College, New Zealand|Lindisfarne College]] and [[St. Patrick's College, Silverstream]], as well as a number of state schools for boys, including [[Otago Boys' High School]], [[King's High School, Dunedin]], [[Waitaki Boys' High School]], [[Timaru Boys' High School]], [[Palmerston North Boys' High School]] and [[Southland Boys' High School]] showing the Scots' involvement in the foundation of those schools.

== Africa ==

=== Benin ===
In Benin, the term is commonly used for heads of universities and academic institutions.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

=== Mauritius ===
In Mauritius the term 'rector' is used to designate the head of a secondary school.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

==Asia==

===India===
The heads of certain Indian [[boarding school]]s are called rectors. The head or principal of a Catholic school in India is also called a rector.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===Indonesia===
Rector is the highest executive post in universities in Indonesia. At a public university, university senate members select a pool three candidates for the education minister to decide the rector from. Except for autonomous public university (PTN-BH), rector was elected by university board of trustees. The final decision is not necessarily the one with the majority of the university senate's votes.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/11/09/nearly-100-years-after-its-founding-itb-names-first-female-rector.html|title=Nearly 100 years after its founding, ITB names first female rector|newspaper=The Jakarta Post|access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref>

===Japan===
[[File:YushimaSeido8678.jpg|thumb|right|90px|Colonnade at the reconstructed ''[[Yushima Seidō]]'' in Tokyo.  The hereditary rectors of this [[Edo period]] institution were selected from the [[Hayashi clan (Confucian scholars)|Hayashi clan]].]]
During the years of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] (1601–1868), the rector of Edo's Confucian Academy, the ''[[Shōhei-kō]]'' (afterwards known at the ''[[Yushima Seidō]]''), was known by the honorific title ''[[Daigaku-no kami]]'' which, in the context of the Tokugawa hierarchy, can effectively be translated as "Head of the State University".  The rector of the ''Yushima Seidō'' stood at the apex of the country-wide educational and training system which was created and maintained with the personal involvement of successive shōguns.  The position as rector of the ''Yushima Seidō'' became hereditary in the [[Hayashi clan (Confucian scholars)|Hayashi family]].<ref>Ponsonby-Fane, Richard A.B. (1956). ''Kyoto: the Old Capital, 794-1869.'' p. 418.</ref>  The rectors' scholarly reputation was burnished by the publication in 1657 of the seven volumes of  {{nihongo|''[[Survey of the Sovereigns of Japan]]''|日本王代一覧|''[[Nihon Ōdai Ichiran]]''}}<ref>Brownlee, John S. (1999). [https://books.google.com/books?id=eatISvupicUC&dq=john+s+brownlee&pg=PA218  ''Japanese Historians and the National Myths, 1600-1945: The Age of the Gods and Emperor Jinmu,'' p. 218 n14]; N.b., Brownlee misidentifies ''Nihon Ōdai Ichiran'' publication date as 1663 rather than 1657.</ref>  and by the publication in 1670 of the 310 volumes of {{nihongo|''The Comprehensive History of Japan''|本朝通鑑|''Honchō-tsugan''}}.<ref>Brownlee, John. (1991). [https://books.google.com/books?id=YSN1AAAAMAAJ&q=Honcho+tsugan  ''Political Thought in Japanese Historical Writing: From Kojiki (712) to Tokushi Yoron (1712),'' p. 120.]</ref>

===Macau===
In the former Portuguese colony of [[Macau]], a [[Special administrative regions of China|Special Administrative Region]] of China since late 1999, the highest administrative officials of four universities, namely [[University of Macau]], [[Macao Polytechnic University]], University of Saint Joseph, and City University of Macau,  are titled as 'Rector'. However, the equivalent position is 'President' at the Macau University of Science and Technology.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===Malaysia===
In this [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] country, the term ''Rektor'' is used to refer to the highest administrative official in several universities and higher education institutions in Malaysia, such as the [[International Islamic University Malaysia]] in [[Gombak]]. For the [[Universiti Teknologi MARA]], the term ''Rektor'' is used for head of a branch campus and answers to the ''Naib Canselor''. A ''Rektor'' is comparable to the position of ''Naib Canselor'', or vice-chancellor, in other higher education institutions, as the ''Rektor'' answers to the ''[[Chancellor (education)|Canselor]]''.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===Myanmar===
The term ''rector'' ([[Burmese language|Burmese]]:''ပါမောက္ခချုပ်'') is used to refer to the highest official of universities in [[Myanmar]]. Each university department is headed by a professor, who is responsible to the rector. Nowadays, given the large dimensions of some universities, the position of pro-rector has emerged, just below that of the rector. Pro-rectors are in charge of managing particular areas of the university, such as research or [[undergraduate education]]. For example: [[Rector of University of Magway]], a big role in Myanmar education.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===Pakistan===
The heads of certain universities and colleges such as [[COMSATS University Islamabad]], [[National University of Modern Languages]], [[National University of Sciences & Technology]], [[Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology]], [[Forman Christian College]], [[Virtual University of Pakistan]] and PIEAS are all titled "Rector".{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===Philippines===
[[File:Rector Herminio Dagohoy of Santo Tomas.jpg|thumb|right|[[Herminio Dagohoy]], the 96th Rector Magnificus of the [[University of Santo Tomas|Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas]], Manila]]
{{See also|Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas}}
The term ''rector'' or ''Rector Magnificus'' is used to refer to the highest official in prominent Catholic universities and colleges such as the [[University of Santo Tomas]], the [[Colegio de San Juan de Letran]], and the [[San Beda University]]. The rector typically sits as chair of the university board of trustees. He exercises policy-making, general academic, managerial, and religious functions over all university academic and non-academic staff.

During the Spanish colonial period, on 20 May 1865, a royal order from Queen Isabella II gave the [[Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas]] the power to direct and supervise all the educational institutions in the Philippines and thus, the Rector of the university became the ''ex officio'' head of the secondary and higher education in the Philippines. All diplomas issued by other schools were approved by the Rector of the university and examinations leading to the issuance of such diplomas were supervised by the professors of the University of Santo Tomas.<ref name=varsi>[http://www.varsitarian.net/supplement/rectors_supplement/history_of_the_rectorship http://www.varsitarian.net/supplement/rectors_supplement/history_of_the_rectorship] ''The Varsitarian website'' Accessed 4 August 2012</ref><ref name=ust>[http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php/history.html History of the University of Santo Tomas] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091222000856/http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php/history.html |date=22 December 2009 }} ''The University of Santo Tomas website'' Accessed 4 August 2012</ref>

===Thailand===
The term ''rector'' is not widely used to refer to the highest executive position in Thai universities ([[Thai language|Thai]]:''อธิการบดี''; {{RTGS|Athikan Bodi}} ), compared to the term ''president''. [[Thammasat University]] adopts this term for this position to reflect its tradition associated with the French education system where [[Pridi Banomyong]], Thammasat's founding father was educated.

Except [[Assumption University (Thailand)|Assumption University]], the only International Catholic University in Thailand, the position of the head of the executives and administrators of the institute is "rector". A decade after the present rector assume his duty, the title of Rector Magnificus was bestowed on [[Rev. Bro.]] Bancha Saenghiran, f.s.g.,{{what|date=February 2023}} Ph.D. at a solemn Academic ceremony on 1 November 2011 at the Assumption University Suvarnabhumi campus in the ornate Chapel of St. Louis Marie de Montfort (founder of the [[Louis de Montfort|Montfortian Brothers of St. Gabriel]].)

==South America==

===Argentina===
The term ''rector'' is used to refer to the highest official of universities, and university-owned high schools (e.g., [[Escuela Superior de Comercio Carlos Pellegrini]]) in [[Argentina]]. Each faculty ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]:''Facultad'') has its own dean.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===Brazil===
The term ''rector'' ([[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]: ''Reitor'') is used to refer to the highest official of universities in [[Brazil]]. Each faculty is headed by a director, who is under the authority of the rector. Nowadays, given the large size of some universities, the position of pro-rector has emerged below that of the rector. The pro-rector is in charge of managing a particular area of the university, such as research or [[undergraduate education]].{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

==Compound titles==
A rector who has resigned is often given the title ''rector [[emeritus]]''. One who temporarily performs the functions usually fulfilled by a rector is styled a ''pro-rector'' (in parishes, administrator).

Deputies of rectors in institutions are known as ''vice-rector''s (in parishes, as curates, assistant - or associate rectors, etc.). In some universities the title vice-rector has, like [[vice-chancellor]] in many Anglo-Saxon cases, been used for the de facto head when the essentially honorary title of rector is reserved for a high externa dignitary; until 1920, there was such a ''vice-recteur'' at the Parisian [[University of Paris|Sorbonne]] as the French Minister of Education was its nominal ''recteur''.

==See also==
* [[Chancellor (education)]]
* [[Dean (education)]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=Notes}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{CathEncy|wstitle=Rector}}

==External links==
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Rector}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Academic administrators]]
[[Category:Heads of universities and colleges]]
[[Category:University governance]]