Graduands' Dress

If you are graduating in person at Senate House, you must wear the appropriate Cambridge academical dress for the ceremony.

Dressing for graduation consists of the following components:

• formal dress according to one of two dress code options (outlined below), and
• academical dress, according to your degree

As graduation is a formal occasion an appropriate standard of dress is expected and the dress code is strictly enforced at ceremonies. Should you not observe it, you may not be permitted to graduate on the day of your chosen ceremony. A female University Constable will check your dress on arrival at the Senate-House and will adjust if required. 

Your Praelector or Presenter is able to offer further advice on dress should this be required. 

Dress option one

• A dinner jacket or black, very dark grey or very dark blue lounge suit. These must be dark enough not to contrast obviously with a black gown.
• A plain, long-sleeved, collared, white shirt.
• Formal black shoes. Sandals, trainers, open-toed shoes, slingbacks (heeled or flat) or boots are not permitted.
• Unpatterned black or very dark grey socks. Unpatterned black, nearly-black, or natural coloured hosiery.
• White bow-tie and bands must be worn.

Dress option two

• A black, very dark grey or very dark blue skirt suit or trouser suit. A dark skirt can be worn without a jacket, or a dark, long-sleeved dress can also be worn without a jacket. These must be dark enough not to contrast obviously with a black gown.
• A plain, long-sleeved, white shirt or blouse (unless a long-sleeved dress is worn).
• Formal black shoes. Sandals, trainers, open-toed shoes, slingbacks (heeled or flat) or boots are not permitted.
• Unpatterned black, nearly-black, or natural coloured hosiery.
• A white bow-tie and bands may be worn (optional) but if they are worn they must be worn with a properly collared white shirt.  If a white bow-tie and bands are worn with trousers they must be worn with a matching jacket.

A black cassock may be substituted for a dark suit, skirt or dress in either Dress One or Two, but it must be worn with either a white bow-tie and bands or a clerical collar and bands.

If you choose to graduate in person at the Senate-House, you are required to wear the following Cambridge academical dress at the ceremony over the dress options above:

Undergraduates and affiliated students

• Undergraduate gown of your College and the hood of the highest degree that you are about to receive.

Postgraduate candidates

• The gown and hood of your highest existing Cambridge degree or, if not already a Cambridge graduate, a BA or MA status gown and the hood of the highest degree you are about to take.

Candidates for degrees by Incorporation or the MA under Statute B.II.2

• The gown and hood of the degree that you are about to receive.

• Jewellery and hair accessories can be worn at the ceremony but these should not be conspicuous and should befit the occasion. The ceremony itself is a formal event and as such dress should be reflective of this.
• The cap (mortarboard) is optional for Cambridge graduands. If you do decide to wear one on the day then you will be asked to take this off and carry it in your left hand once inside the Senate-House so please bear this in mind when making your decision.
• If you want to wear national dress or a Military uniform you will need to speak to your College directly as dispensation will be required to allow this. Please contact them directly to discuss your dress request. 

The Student Registry has created a flowchart providing guidance on the dress code, which can be viewed on the Cambridge Students Academical dress page.

You may hire or buy academical dress from the following Cambridge suppliers:

Ede and Ravenscroft
70-72 Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RJ
T 01223 861854
E student@edeandravenscroft.com
W www.gownhire.co.uk

Ryder and Amies
22 King’s Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1SP
T 01223 350371
E enquiries@ryderamies.co.uk
W www.ryderamies.co.uk

If you have any questions regarding the above please contact the Praelector’s Secretary or the Academic Office (in the case of General Admission).

Outfitters are experienced in advising on the correct academical dress based on your degree. The College does not handle gown hire, storage, collection, or returns. You will need to collect and return your hired gown directly to the store on the day of the ceremony.