Academic dress for Graduation

At the University of Oxford, graduating students are not allowed to wear the academic dress of their new degree until it has been conferred during the ceremony. Once this has occurred, you will be ushered out of the Sheldonian Theatre to change, you will then re-enter wearing your new academic dress. Members of the Academic Office will be down at the Sheldonian to provide guidance and support with this process.

All students are required to wear subfusc (outfit worn underneath your gown) and either a mortarboard or soft cap. What gown you will wear depends on what degree you are graduating with.

Master’s students (MBA, MPhil, MPP, MSc and MSt)

You will initially enter the ceremony wearing a Master’s gown. A picture of the Master’s gown is included, note the lace detailing on the sleeves and collar. This is not the Advanced Student Gown worn at matriculation, examinations and for Guest Night Dinners.

After your degree has been conferred, you will add the appropriate hood. The colour of the hood will vary based on which Master’s degree is being conferred.

Fig 2. Graduands wearing MSc Hood and               Fig 3. Graduand wearing MSt hood and Master’s Gown
Master’s gown

DPhil students

You will initially enter the ceremony wearing the gown appropriate to your student status. Customarily all Kellogg students wear a knee-length, plain black gown with long streamers from the shoulders and a plain collar. This is the Advanced Student Gown.

After your degree has been conferred, you will change into the the DPhil robe (worn without a hood).