Gonville & Caius College

This note summarises the academic dress appropriate for various occasions in College. See the further note for advice on dress at graduation, which also gives details of tailors who are able to supply gowns and hoods. Please note that academic dress of other universities is not normally worn in Cambridge.

Gowns are worn at second hall during Full Term, and at the matriculation and graduation ceremonies. They may also be worn at some other dinners if the invitation indicates that it would be appropriate.

Hoods are usually only worn at graduation ceremonies, but may also be worn at some services in the Chapel.

Caps ("mortar boards") are only worn by officials who are participating in ceremonies.

Undergraduates

Undergraduates wear the Caius undergraduate gown. This is dark blue with black facings. Undergraduates only wear hoods at their graduation ceremony.

Affiliated students wear the Caius undergraduate gown even if they have already graduated from another University.

Graduate students

Cambridge graduates wear the gown of their highest Cambridge degree. Other graduate students wear the BA status gown or, if they are over 24, the MA status gown.

Fellows

Fellows also wear the black gown of their highest Cambridge degree. Fellows who are graduates of other universities wear the MA status gown.

The instruction "Doctors wear scarlet" means that holders of Cambridge doctorates should wear their festal gowns, which usually include scarlet cloth. This is also the one time at which gowns from other universities may be worn.

praelector@cai.cam.ac.uk

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