The We Will Rock You star, 59, earned a physics degree from London's prestigious university Imperial College in the 1970s, but abandoned his studies for a doctorate in favour of a music career. May resumed his PhD course earlier this year (07), taking time out from his music career - including cancelling an appearance at the recent Concert For Diana - in order to concentrate on his thesis. But the rocker is relieved to have finally finished the study and told students at England's Exeter University - where he received an honourary doctorate on Wednesday (11Jul07) - of his joy. He said: "For the last nine months, I've done nothing except slave over my PhD, which is now written up, thank God. "But there are times when you really want to give up. There are times when you go, 'Why on earth did I take this on?'" May will receive his PhD in astronomy next May (08), providing his work is considered up to standard by university professors.

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