The Academic Dress of the University

The academic dress for graduates of all levels of study, and information relating to the suppliers of the caps and gowns, is detailed below.

1.1 The colour scheme for the academic dress of the University shall be University Red, Grey, Black, White and Blue.

1.2 The gowns worn by holders of Certificates, Higher Certificates, Higher Diplomas, Diplomas, Bachelors Degrees, Degree of Master of Engineering, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas and Diplomas in Professional Studies of the University shall be of black stuff in London style.

1.3 The gowns worn by holders of taught Masters Degrees except that of Master of Engineering shall be grey stuff in Cambridge style, but with no sleeve or facings trimmed.

1.4 The gowns worn by holders of Master of Philosophy shall be grey stuff  in  Cambridge style, with blue facings.
BA/BSc/LLB academic dress.

1.5 The gowns worn by holders of Doctorates shall be of scarlet in Cambridge Doctor style, but with no taffeta trim to sleeves and facings.

1.6 The gowns worn by holders of Higher Doctorates and Honorary Doctorates shall be of scarlet in Cambridge Doctor style, with facings and sleeves in red taffeta.

1.7 The hats worn by holders of Certificates, Higher Certificates, Diplomas, Higher Diplomas, Bachelors Degrees, Degree of Master of Engineering, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, Diplomas in Professional Studies shall be black mortarboards.

1.8 The hats worn by holders of Masters Degrees shall be grey mortarboard with grey tassel.

1.9 The hats worn by holders of Doctorates shall be scarlet velvet bonnets with blue cord and tassel.

1.10 The hats worn by holders of Higher and Honorary Doctorates shall be scarlet velvet   bonnets with gold cord and tassel.

1.11 The hoods worn by holders of Certificates and Higher Certificates shall  be black, Oxford Burgeon shape, fully lined white, cowl and cape  turned out, with strap lined both sides white.

1.12 The hoods worn by holders of Diplomas and Higher Diplomas shall be black, Oxford Burgeon shape, fully lined dark grey, cowl and cape turned out with strap lined both sides, dark grey.

1.13 The hoods of holders of Foundation Degrees shall be grey, Oxford Burgeon shape, fully lined red, cape and cowl turned out, with strap lined both sides with white.

1.14 The hoods worn by holders of Bachelors Degrees shall be grey, Oxford Burgeon shape, fully lined red, cape and cowl turned out, with strap lined both sides red.

1.15 The hoods for holders of Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas and Diplomas in Professional Studies shall be black, full shape, fully lined blue, cape and cowl turned out, with strap fully lined both sides blue.

1.16 The hoods for holders of Masters degrees shall be grey, full shape, fully lined with blue, cape and cowl turned out, with strap lined with sides blue.

1.17 The hoods for holders of Masters in Engineering (MEng), Masters in Chemistry (MChem), and Masters in Physics (MPhys) shall be grey, Oxford burgeon shape, lined red, cape and cowl turned out, with strap lined both sides with blue.

1.18 The hoods for holders of Doctorates shall be scarlet, full shape, lined blue, cape and cowl turned out, with strap lined both sides with blue.

1.19 The hoods for holders of Higher Doctorates and Honorary Doctorates shall be gold, full shape, lined white, cape and cowl turned out, with strap lined both sides white.

Equality issues have been taken into account during the development of this policy and all protected characteristics have been considered as part of the Equality Analysis undertaken.

From the summer of 2023, the University will be updating the information published about academic dress. Whilst this update is in progress, you may wish to review the Academic Dress of the University (PDF 39KB) that applied through to our 2022-2023 academic year.