Gowns

You will need to wear University of Bristol academic dress for your ceremony. This can be hired when registration opens, or purchased in advance.  Hire prices start at £45.

Please note, you will not be able to graduate without the correct gown and hood in the official University of Bristol colours.

Graduation gown discount

A discount towards the cost of gown hire may be available for students who have been in receipt of certain funding from the University.  Students who are entitled to this discount will be informed automatically according to the award process detailed on the Graduation gown discount webpage.  The Graduation Office is only able to confirm discounts at the dates specified on that page.

Order your gown

Our official suppliers of the correct academic dress for your University of Bristol award are Ede & Ravenscroft.  You can order your gown when registration opens for your congregation, by accessing their website and following their step-by-step ordering process. Please make sure you enter your institution, ceremony date and time and award correctly.

Masters intercalators: if you are graduating with both your undergraduate degree and masters degree at the same ceremony you should order a masters gown.

February 2027 graduation gown hire

You will be able to order your gown and hat here when registration opens for the February 2027 ceremonies.

Picking up and dropping off your gown

Your hired gown and hat will be available for collection from our official supplier on the day of your ceremony. 

Full details about when and where to pick up and drop off your gown for February 2027 graduation will be confirmed in due course.

What our gowns look like

Download an image of University of Bristol gowns - all degrees (PDF, 265kB).

Download and image of University of Bristol gowns - postgraduate certificate and diploma (PDF, 102kB)

Bachelors and masters gowns are black, with a draping known as a hood. The colours in your hood depend on your award.

If you are graduating with a BA, BSc or BEng degree you will have a hood in a colour called University red, in lighter and darker shades. If you are graduating with an LLB degree the hood will be in University red with a violet trim. The hood for MBChB, BDS and BVSc degrees is in University red with a white trim.

Undergraduate and postgraduate masters hoods are in University red with a white lining.

Postgraduate certificate and diploma gowns are black, with a red hood with a white lining and green trim.

Doctoral degrees: PhD, DDS, EdD, EngD, DEdPsy, DSocSci and MD have a scarlet gown with a dark violet facing, sleeves and hood lining.  Please note that doctoral degrees have mortarboard style hats.

Higher doctorates: DEng, DLitt, DMus, DSc and LLD have a scarlet gown with salmon-coloured facing, sleeves and hood lining. Higher doctorates have tudor bonnet style hats.

‌Hats

All graduates wear a mortarboard style hat apart from higher doctorate graduates (listed above), who wear a hat in a tudor bonnet style.

What to wear with your gown

You should feel comfortable in the clothes you choose to wear. Most people decide to wear something smart that reflects that this is a special and more formal occasion. 

Traditional dress is also acceptable for graduation.