Mr Harris – best known as the presenter of the Old Grey Whistle Test, an iconic television music show in the 1970s and 1980s – joined more than 2,000 students for the week of graduations.
The 61-year-old broadcaster, who is now a presenter on BBC Radio 2, said the award was ironic, considering the circumstances which saw him leave Trinity School.
He said: "It's a great honour, but quite a surprise seeing as I left school under a large cloud. I was spotted by one of the teachers drinking half a lager shandy during the summer holidays and was sent to see the headteacher.
- Wednesday's University awards - click here
"I just handed in my books and stormed out, without really thinking about what I was going to do after that.
"So I'm delighted to have been given an honorary fellowship. It's a testament to the support I got from my parents, who really backed me when I left school with virtually no qualifications."
Mr Harris was joined by flamboyant fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, who collected an honorary doctorate from the university yesterday, wearing a vibrant pink and orange outfit.
The 67-year-old, who has designed clothes for Diana, Princess of Wales, said: "The university has a world class fashion and textiles department and to receive a doctorate is a testament to the respect I have been given from students here.
"It's very exciting seeing how hard the students have worked to get this far."
The university's vice chancellor, Ann Tate, said: "The very make up of the student and graduate body is evolving in ever more diverse ways, not only in gender and ethnicity but in age and social background.
"As an institution we are very proud of our track record in seeking out those with talent, who may, for very good reasons, not have been considered as potential higher education students.
"In this respect, we do better than most other institutions across the country."
Among the honorary graduates to be recognised by the university on Wednesday wiwere be Lynn Wilson, the former chairman of housing company Wilson Connolly and ex-president of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club.
Another will be former Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Lord Naseby, who was Conservative MP for Northampton South, as Michael Morris.
