Dressing for your graduation ceremony
Find out what academic dress to wear, how to wear it, and what clothes to wear underneath.
How to wear your academic dress
The video below shows how to wear your academic dress. Before the ceremony there will be university staff available to help you.
What to wear under academic dress
Graduation ceremonies are formal occasions and we request that graduates dress appropriately. A shirt and trousers, dress, or similar standard of formal clothing is advised.
You are welcome to wear garments of honour from your cultural tradition, such as a kākahu Māori or ta’ovala. These are worn under the hood or stole.
A collared shirt and tie or buttoned clothing are optional, but can be helpful in attaching your hood securely.
For health and safety reasons you must wear footwear inside the Michael Fowler Centre and while crossing the stage to receive your award.
What academic dress to wear
What you’ll need to wear is dependent on the qualification you’ll receive. If you’re receiving more than one qualification, you’ll need to wear the hood or stole for the qualification that you choose to cross the stage with.
If you are graduating with a diploma or certificate and hold a degree, you will need to wear the academic dress appropriate to your degree.
Doctoral degrees
- Black or scarlet Cambridge Master of Arts gown.
- Hood or stole in qualification colour.
- John Knox cap (PhD) or black trencher with tassel.
Master’s degrees
- Black Cambridge Master of Arts gown.
- Hood or stole in qualification colour.
- Black trencher with tassel.
Bachelor’s degrees
- Black Cambridge Bachelor of Arts gown.
- Hood in qualification colour.
- Black trencher with tassel.
Diplomas and certificates
- Black Cambridge Bachelor of Arts gown.
- Victoria University of Wellington stole.