1. Purpose of policy
1.1 This policy sets out the specifications and standards for academic dress for all members of the University community. Academic dress, also known as regalia, is worn for all University graduation ceremonies. Academic dress may also be worn at other formal university events at the discretion of the Vice-Chancellor and President.
2. Policy scope and application
2.1 The policy covers Council members, officers of the University, recipients of honorary awards, graduates and graduands of the University.
2.2 Unless otherwise specified, staff involved in graduation ceremonies and/or academic processions should wear the academic dress appropriate to their own degree.
3. Definitions
Please refer to the University’s Glossary of Terms for policies and procedures. Terms and definitions identified below are specific to this policy and are critical to its effectiveness:
B.C.C. refers to the British Colour Council numbering system, as described in the British Colour Council Dictionary of Colour Standards, 2nd edition, 1951
cloth traditionally means fabric made of wool, but cloth made of other materials, such as Rayon or recycled plastics, may be substituted where appropriate
trencher cap means a mortarboard
4. Academic Dress for Council members and officers of the University
Award | Robe | Cap |
Chancellor | Black cloth gown trimmed with gold braid on the sleeves and hem, with detailing embroidered on the shoulders and front facing in gold metallic thread | A black velvet bonnet with a cord tassel in gold |
Deputy Chancellor | The academic dress appropriate to their own degree, or a black cloth gown in the style of the master’s gown of the University of Cambridge with facings in Empire Blue (B.C.C.87) | The academic cap appropriate to their own degree or a black velvet bonnet with a cord tassel in Empire Blue (B.C.C.87) |
Vice-Chancellor and President | Black cloth gown trimmed with silver braid on the sleeves and hem, with detailing embroidered on the shoulders and front facing in silver metallic thread | A black velvet bonnet with a cord tassel in silver |
Deputy Vice-Chancellor | The academic dress appropriate to their own degree | |
Pro Vice-Chancellor | The academic dress appropriate to their own degree | |
Council Members | The academic dress appropriate to their own degree or a black cloth gown in the style of the master’s gown of the University of Cambridge with facings in Empire Blue (B.C.C.87) | The academic cap appropriate to their own degree or a black velvet bonnet with a cord tassel in Empire Blue (B.C.C.87) |
Yeoman Bedell | A black cloth gown in the style of the doctor’s gown of the University of Cambridge with facings and sleeve linings in Empire Blue (B.C.C.87) and sleeve trimmings in Jet Black (B.C.C.220) | A black cloth trencher cap |
5. Academic Dress for Honorary Awards
Award | Robe | Hood / Stole | Cap |
Honorary Doctorate | A black cloth gown in the style of the doctor’s gown of the University of Cambridge with black facings and sleeve linings in Empire Blue (B.C.C.87) and sleeve trimmings in Saffron (B.C.C.54) | A black cloth hood in the style of the University of Cambridge fully-lined in Empire Blue (B.C.C.87) with trimmings in Saffron (B.C.C.54) | A black velvet bonnet with a cord tassel in Saffron (B.C.C.54) |
Chancellor’s Stole | A black cloth gown in the style of the bachelor’s gown of the University of Cambridge | Triple pleated full-length black cloth stole fully-lined in Empire Blue (B.C.C.87) adorned with two gold bullion hand embroidered oak leaf bands at the bottom of each tail | Not applicable |
Honorary Senior Fellow | A black cloth gown in the style of the bachelor’s gown of the University of Cambridge | A full-length black cloth stole fully-lined in Empire Blue (B.C.C.87) | A black cloth trencher cap |
Emeritus Professor | The academic dress appropriate to their own degree. | ||
Distinguished Companion of the University | A black cloth gown in the style of the bachelor’s gown of the University of Cambridge | A black cloth hood in the style of the University of Cambridge fully-lined in Empire Blue (B.C.C.87) | A black cloth trencher cap |
6. Academic Dress for Academic Awards
Award | Robe | Hood / Stole | Cap |
Doctor of Philosophy | A black cloth gown in the style of the doctor's gown of the University of Cambridge with facings, sleeve linings and sleeve trimmings in Post Office Red (B.C.C.209) | A black cloth hood in the style of the University of Cambridge fully-lined in Post Office Red (B.C.C.209) | A black velvet bonnet with a cord tassel in Post Office Red (B.C.C.209) |
Professional Doctorates | A black cloth gown in the style of the doctor's gown of the University of Cambridge with facings, sleeve linings and sleeve trimmings in Post Office Red (B.C.C.209) | A black cloth hood in the style of the University of Cambridge fully-lined in the designated colour | A black velvet bonnet with a cord tassel in Jet Black (B.C.C.220) |
Masters Degrees | A black cloth gown in the style of the master’s gown of the University of Cambridge | A black cloth hood in the style of Oxford Burgon fully-lined in the designated colour, with a 2 cm strip in Black commencing 3 cm from the edge | A black cloth trencher cap |
Graduate Diplomas | A black cloth gown in the style of the bachelor's gown of the University of Cambridge | A full-length black cloth stole fully-lined in the designated colour | A black cloth trencher cap |
Graduate Certificates | A black cloth gown in the style of the bachelor's gown of the University of Cambridge | A full-length black cloth stole edged to a depth of 2.5 cm in the designated colour | A black cloth trencher cap |
Bachelor (Honours) Degrees | A black cloth gown in the style of the bachelor's gown of the University of Cambridge | A black cloth hood in the style of Oxford Burgon lined to a depth of 15 cm in the designated colour, with a 2 cm strip in Black commencing 3 cm from the edge | A black cloth trencher cap |
Bachelor Degrees, including combined and double degrees | A black cloth gown in the style of the bachelor’s gown of the University of Cambridge | A black cloth hood in the style of Oxford Burgon lined with silk to a depth of 15 cm in the designated colour | A black cloth trencher cap |
Associate Degrees | A black cloth gown in the style of the bachelor's gown of the University of Cambridge | A black cloth hood in the style of Oxford Burgon lined to a depth of 10 cm in the designated colour | A black cloth trencher cap |
Diplomas | A black cloth gown in the style of the bachelor’s gown of the University of Cambridge | A black cloth hood in the style of Oxford Burgon lined to a depth of 5 cm in the designated colour | A black cloth trencher cap |
6.1 Pre-2012 Academic Dress
6.1.1 A graduate who has been admitted to an award at the University prior to January 2012 when this policy was first introduced, may continue to wear the academic dress and colours as prescribed at the time of their admission to the award, if they so wish.
6.2 Award Colours
6.2.1 With the exception of the Doctor of Philosophy, each academic award of the University will be allocated a designated hood or stole colour determined by the academic award Field of Education (FoE) and as approved by Academic Board.
6.2.2 Designated colours are:
Field of Education | Hood / Stole Colour |
01 – Natural and Physical Sciences 05 – Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies | Violet (B.C.C 179) |
02 – Information Technology 08 – Management and Commerce | Academic Green (B.C.C 203) |
03 – Engineering and Related Technologies | Spectrum Orange (B.C.C 57) |
06 - Health | White (B.C.C 1) |
07 - Education | New Saffron (B.C.C 53) |
04 – Architecture and Building 09 – Society and Culture 10 – Creative Arts | Royal Blue (B.C.C 197) |
7. Acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ancestry
7.1 The University has a strong commitment to Australian Reconciliation. To enable Indigenous Australians to have their ancestry recognised during graduation ceremonies, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have the option of wearing a stole incorporating the colours of the respective flags at their ceremony (red, black and Saffron for Aboriginal students and/or blue, green and white for Torres Strait Islander students – refer to https://www.pmc.gov.au/government/australian-national-symbols/australian-flags. This will be in addition to wearing the hood and/or stole required for their degree.
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