Former prime minister John Howard will be able to add "doctor" to his list of achievements and honours, when he is awarded an honorary doctorate in Sydney this afternoon for his contribution to public life.

Mr Howard is due to be made a Doctor of Letters honoris causa in a business and economics faculty ceremony at Macquarie University.

In his citation this afternoon, Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor Professor Steven Schwartz is set to pay tribute to Mr Howard's lifetime of public service.

"Whether you agree or disagree with his politics, it is difficult not to agree that John Howard served his country with unflagging commitment. He truly showed the value of persistence in achieving his goals.''