University of Sydney (USYD) Graduation Gowns

Sydney University outsources its regalia management to the University of Sydney Union (USU), who service students from the Holme Building on campus. Rental prices range from $79 - $120 depending on how far in advance you hire your regalia, and fees are charged if items are not returned after the ceremony.

With Churchill Gowns, you can buy your new USYD Graduation Gown Set for as little as $89, or hire it for as little as $59. All hired items can be kept for three days, giving you plenty of time to get that perfect photo or to have extended celebrations with family and friends.

All graduating students at University of Sydney are required to wear a graduation hood appropriate for their level of study, together with a black gown and black mortarboard (also called a graduation hat or trencher cap), and cannot join the procession or be presented with their award without the correct attire.

History of Academic Dress

The University of Sydney academic dress is based upon the Cambridge style of dress, originally designed for use at the University of Cambridge in the UK and dating back to the 12th or 13th century.

Once worn daily at ancient universities in the UK, academic dress is thought to have been originally designed to prevent anyone from differentiating between the rich gentry and commoner students based upon their clothing, helping all students attending the university feel equal. Today, universities such as USYD reserve the use of academic dress solely for use at graduations and other ceremonies.

Gown Regulations at Usyd

Unlike Oxford style gowns, which are used at other Australian Universities (such as the University of Melbourne), Usyd gowns are designed with open-slit sleeves at the bachelor and masters level. The sleeve of a bachelor gown is open at the ends and hangs down to your waist, while masters gowns have longer sleeves that end around the calf, with closed, crescent shaped ends.

PhD gowns at Usyd are identical to masters gown, with red satin lapels (front facings), and unlike other universities PhD graduates also wear a mortarboard.

Mortarboard Regulations at USYD

Matte-black mortarboards are required to be worn by all Bachelor, Masters and PhD graduates at the University, and must be made from either wool, felt, or a blend of the two materials.

These are designed with an unfixed black tassel, which is moved from the left to the right when receiving your diploma. We are proud to be the official supplier to universities around Australia of our uniquely design flexible-fit mortarboards. These are made with a foam-laminate cup, allowing the mortarboards (graduation hats) to be flat-packed for storage, and spring into shape when removed from the packaging. This looks much better and provides for a much more secure fit than any other soft mortarboard on the market.

Hood Regulations at USYD

Unlike most Australian and UK universities - which differentiate hoods by level of study or faculty - Sydney University is one of the only institutions to have a unique hood for every degree, resulting in hundreds of different colours and designs.

We provide a large range of hoods for Usyd bachelor, masters and PhD graduates, and work hard to ensure the colours and shapes used match the requirements of the university, so you won't look out of place. Please see below for a list of colours used for each degree, or take a look at the full university regulations.

Bachelor of Arts

Edged and bordered with white fur

Bachelor of Commerce

Copper and white, to a depth of 5cm

Bachelor of Economics

Edged with Copper

Bachelor of Education

Edged with white

Bachelor of Engineering

Edged with light maroon

Bachelor of International Studies

Edged 5cm with copper and red brick

Bachelor of Laws

Edged 10cm with light blue

Bachelor of Medical Science

Edged with crimson and amber

Doctor of Medicine

Edged with purple and scarlet

Bachelor of Pharmacy

Edged with Copper and Amber

Bachelor of Psychology

Edged with Irish green and ivory

Bachelor of Science

Edged 5cm with amber

Bachelor of Science (Veterinary)

Edged 5cm with purple and gold

Bachelor of Teaching

Edged with crushed strawberry

Bachelor of Veterinary Science

Edged with amber and purple

Bachelor of Visual Arts

Chile and spectrum violet, to a depth of 5cm