Academic Dress

You are required to wear the approved University of Wollongong academic dress when taking part in your graduation ceremony. Academic Dress consists of a royal blue gown, a hood or stole and a blue tasselled trencher for all but doctoral degree graduates. The latter wear blue gowns with red facing and black Tudor bonnets with coloured tassels. The higher doctorates of Science, Letters and Laws have red gowns faced with blue and a Tudor bonnet tasselled with silver, gold and purple respectively.

The hood is lined with different coloured silk trims to denote the type of award (see list below). It is held in place by a neckband which is anchored to a button on your shirt (under your tie) or held by a pin. The lining is folded inside out for part of its width, and then draped.

Students graduating with an Honours degree wear a hood distinguished with a 1.5cm border on its outside edge. When collecting your academic dress, please advise your academic dress officer if you are an Honours graduand.

If you are receiving two degrees it is usual to wear the hood of the degree for which you have chosen to be 'capped'. If you are receiving a postgraduate diploma or certificate you will wear a trencher. Undergraduate diplomas or certificates do not require a trencher.

The academic gown is made from a heavy cloth. Consequently, if it is warm, we suggest you leave your jacket with a guest before proceeding to collect your academic dress.

You are welcome to enrich the colour of the ceremony with garments of honour from your cultural tradition.

Last reviewed: 19 May, 2008