Dress for the Degree Ceremony

The University's academical costume consists of a gown and a hood (the material and colour of which denote either the wearer's existing Degree or the Degree they are about to receive). It is the responsibility of the graduand to order and collect their own gown and hood from academical outfitters.

Graduate

It is essential that graduands wear the correct academical dress when they are presented for a degree at Congregation. The full rules for academical dress are set out in the University's Statutes and Ordinances. Details can be found on the University website.

Persons taking their first Cambridge degree wear appropriate gowns (in the case of undergraduates their undergraduate gown, which varies in colour or design from College to College), with the hood of the degree to be taken. The hoods clearly indicate the degrees sought by graduands, and those seen at General Admission include (in order of precedence):

  • Master of Law: black and light cherry silk
  • Master of Engineering: black cloth lined with bronze silk
  • Master of Natural Science: black silk with pink and light blue silk
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine: mid cherry silk and more fur
  • Bachelor of Music: dark cherry satin and white fur
  • Bachelor of Arts: black cloth and white fur
  • Bachelor of Education: black cloth, blue silk and white fur
  • Bachelor of Theology for the Ministry: black cloth, black silk and white fur

In all cases, the 'fur' used is made from synthetic materials.

Graduation is a formal occasion and an appropriate standard of dress is expected. The dress code described below is strictly enforced at ceremonies. If you do not observe the dress code, you may not be permitted to graduate.

The overall aim is for a tidy and formal appearance. Formal clothing to be worn with Academical dress is as follows:

Men

  • very dark suit (black is best) or dinner jacket and trousers
  • plain white shirt with collar (not buttoned-down) or white dress shirt   
  • white bow-tie
  • white academic bands (graduand to order from academic outfitters) 
  • unpatterned black socks 
  • formal black shoes

Women

  • plain white shirt with sleeves at a minimum of mid-forearm (a man's plain white shirt is acceptable)
  • formal black skirt of decent length (no more than 4 inches above the knee) or black trousers (full length and formal in style)
  • plain black formal shoes (these can be sling-backs, but the toes must be covered, so no sandals).  Very high heels are not advisable, due to the lengthy procession to the Senate House and the Senate House floor being slippery.  Black boots should not be worn with a skirt, but are acceptable when worn with trousers
  • unpatterned neutral or black tights  
  • unpatterned black jacket or cardigan (optional)
  • no bare arms or bare legs whatever the weather (however hot)
  • Female graduands are strongly advised to use discreet safety pins to secure the hood to the gown (and even the gown to the clothing) to maintain a tidy appearance

All Graduands

  • no head-dress is permitted, except for religious reasons
  • hair should be of conventional style, neat and tidy.
  • long hair should be clipped or tied back from the face 
  • jewellery should be minimal and discreet
  • no decorative belts
  • no bags of any variety 
  • a black cassock may be worn instead of a suit, but a male graduand wearing a cassock must also wear a white collar (not clerical collar), bow tie and bands

Regulations for national dress and uniform are very strict. If you wish to wear national dress or a uniform it is essential that you contact the Praelector's Secretaryat least three weeks before the congregation, as the Proctor's permission must be sought.

Guests

There is no dress code for guests (apart from those who are Cambridge graduates, who should wear the appropriate gown). However, formal dress is preferred.

Queries

If you have any queries or if you feel you cannot meet these requirements you must contact the Praelector's Office (room L11) as far in advance of the ceremony as possible.