all three look strange, the third is the closet to normal

I have never heard anyone say “confer a degree”. But I guess you could use it if you want. “To give a degree” makes sense, but “to grant a degree” seems more common and correct.

Confers is the best going by the majority of dictionary definitions. Awards Degrees is more colloquial and natural. Grant = give a sum of money to someone or organisation: A university may accept money granted to you to pay for university fees by a third party organisation or charity. Gives is common language and would not be used in official university literature/language. https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/confer-a-title-degree-honour-etc

This University now grants degrees.