The I Dreamed a Dream hitmaker will be feted with a music doctorate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), following in the footsteps of stars including Annie Lennox and Tilda Swinton, who have both received similar honours from the school.

Boyle will receive the prize during the RCS graduation ceremony in Glasgow, Scotland on 30 June (15).

She says, "I am truly honoured to be receiving this doctorate. It is brilliant and I thank the RCS for even considering me, let alone actually awarding me with this great privilege."

In 2012, Boyle received an honorary degree from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, where she studied for a carer's qualification before shooting to fame.