Musician, novelist, actor, film score composer and screenwriter Nick Cave has been presented with an honorary degree from Monash University.

The honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred by University Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins and Chancellor Dr. Alan Finkel at a ceremony in Melbourne, Australia. Nick Cave studied for a Diploma of Art and Design (Fine Art) at the Caulfield Institute of Technology in 1977 and '78, in what is now the Faculty of Art & Design on the Caulfield Campus of Monash University. He left his studies, which were primarily in painting, to successfully pursue a music career.

Professor Larkins said Nick Cave was one of Australia's most successful and prominent artists with a near 30 year career spanning music, novel-writing, acting and screenwriting which has had a major impact on contemporary "alternative" culture. "Nick Cave's substantial achievements in the creative arts and inraising Australia's profile internationally make him a worthy candidate for recognition by Monash University. In addition to his musical contributions, Nick Cave has shown an outstanding ability to contribute to writing and acting - he is truly an extraordinary creative talent," Professor Larkins said. "His reputation and popularity crosses age and culture barriers. As an Australian largely based out of London, and previously in Sao Paulo, Los Angeles and Berlin, Nick Cave has been successful in increasing the profile of Australia internationally, particularly in terms of our nation's creative and artistic capabilities."

In the 1980s, Nick Cave was one of the first Australian musicians to achieve considerable international prominence. As the front man forbands including The Birthday Party and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Nick Cave has released more than 20 albums.