The hidden hierarchy of the letters following your name
In short: From academic degrees to military decorations, post-nominal letters signal status and achievement. But there is no single rulebook for their order. Depending on whether you are in London, Sydney, or Washington, the sequence of your titles changes entirely, governed by strict, often invisible, protocols of precedence.
Post-nominal letters—also known as designatory letters or initials—serve as a shorthand for an individual's professional, academic, or honorary identity. These suffixes can represent anything from a religious affiliation to a prestigious military honour. While they appear as mere abbreviations, their arrangement is a complex exercise in social and institutional hierarchy. In the United Kingdom, authorities like Debrett's and the Ministry of Justice provide guidance, typically placing British orders and decorations, such as an OBE, at the top of the list. For social use, the rules are even more restrictive; Debrett's suggests that while certain medical or divinity degrees are always included, common degrees like a BA or MA are rarely used in social settings.
The rules shift significantly across borders. In Australia, the order is dictated by specific government style manuals. Generally, honours announced in the Commonwealth Government Gazette take precedence, followed by state-level appointments, and then professional memberships or academic qualifications. The Canadian system, according to 'The Canadian Style', suggests a limit of two sets of letters to maintain clarity, prioritizing distinctions conferred by the Crown.
Academic institutions also maintain their own competing traditions. The University of Oxford follows a strict hierarchy of academic status, listing bachelor's degrees, then master's, then doctorates, followed by certificates and diplomas. In contrast, Loughborough University adopts an ascending approach, starting from undergraduate awards. Even the visual presentation varies: while Cambridge and Nottingham Trent prefer abbreviations without periods (like PhD), Imperial College London utilizes all small caps (phd). This intricate web of rules ensures that every letter serves as a precise marker of one's place within a specific professional or social order.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Post-nominal letters
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