as tedder was unfit to serve in military action, in 1944 he went to university to study chemistry. he studied at magdalene college, university of cambridge for his undergraduate degree and, owing to the impact of the family tragedies, initially obtained poor grades. however, he persisted and was awarded a degree (b.a.) in 1947. he received encouragement from some of his lecturers and went on to receive both an m.a in 1951. he then obtained his first doctorate (phd) at birmingham university in 1951. he undertook post-doctoral studies at ohio state university from 1952–53. he subsequently obtained a second honorary doctorate (d.sc.) from the university of birmingham in 1961, and honorary sc. d. from the university of cambridge in 1965.