What to Wear
Awards Ceremonies are formal occasions, so please wear something suitably smart. Academic dress is not compulsory, although nearly all graduates do wear it. You will find it helpful to wear a buttoned jacket to help secure the hood in position. As you need to negotiate stone steps, we recommend you wear appropriate footwear.
Gown hire from Ede and Ravenscroft
Academic dress can be hired from Ede and Ravenscroft, the University’s official hire service. As well as the Ede and Ravenscroft website, you can also telephone their call centre, 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday, on 01223 861854.
- Please remember that Ede and Ravenscroft require a minimum of two weeks notice to process your order. They have only a limited supply of spare robes on the day.
- If you hire academic dress and subsequently do not attend the ceremony, please ensure that you inform Ede and Ravenscroft, in writing, within the deadline, so that you do not lose entitlement to a refund.
- Please return hired robes to the Ede and Ravenscroft representatives after the ceremony. If you fail to return your robes on the day, you become personally responsible for sending them back to Ede and Ravenscroft.
We have included below a selection of the university’s robes.
Doctorate degrees
This is a traditional-style gown in gold damask, with fronts and sleeves trimmed with the university’s scarlet woven silk. There is a blue cord and button on each sleeve and on the back of the yoke. The hood is in gold damask, with the university’s blue damask on the inside top edge. The hat is a gold damask tudor bonnet with blue tassel.
Degree of Master of Philosophy
This is a black gown (see taught Master’s degree for full details) with front facings of the university’s silk. The hood and hat are the same as the taught Master’s degree robes.
Taught Master’s degrees
Holders of the Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Engineering and Master of Science degrees wear a traditional black gown with long hanging sleeves. The hood is in blue damask lined with university scarlet woven silk. The cape is edged with plain scarlet silk and the hat is a black cloth mortar board.
Postgraduate awards
Postgraduates wear the same black gown as undergraduates, but the facings and hood lining are of gold damask. The hat is a black cloth mortar board.
Bachelor’s degrees
The gown is the traditional black gown with sleeves, worn rather shorter than Masters’ gowns. The hood is black art silk outer, full shape and part-lined with the university’s scarlet woven silk and blue damask. The hat is a black cloth mortar board.
Foundation degrees
A traditional black gown is worn. The hood is black art silk outer, full shape and fully lined with the university’s blue damask, with the university’s scarlet woven silk on the inside top edge. The hat is a black cloth mortar board.
Diplomas and certificates (Undergraduate)
A traditional black gown is worn. The hood is fully lined with blue damask, with university plain scarlet silk on the inside top edge. The hat is a black cloth mortar board.
Non-university awards
A traditional black gown is worn with no hood. The hat is a black cloth mortar board.