Academic dress for graduation

Learn about the correct academic dress for your special day.

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Correct academic dress is essential for all graduates to participate in a ceremony.

Provision of academic dress

Academic dress is provided by Arc@UNSW through The Grad Shop, opens in a new window, and your academic dress hire is included in your graduation fee. If you are hiring your academic dress, all you need to do is head to the Academic Dress Collection point during the designated collection times on graduation day, and you’ll be fitted for your gown.

If you would like to purchase and keep your academic dress for an additional cost, you can contact the The Grad Shop, opens in a new window directly.

Collection times
Returning academic dress
Collection & return locations

10:30am Ceremony:

Collection from 8:00am to 9:45am
Dressing closes at 10:00am

2:30pm Ceremony:

Collection from 12:00pm to 1:45pm
Dressing closes at 2:00pm

6:30pm Ceremony:

Collection from 4:00pm to 5:45pm
Dressing closes at 6:00pm

All hired academic dress must be returned no later than two hours after your ceremony concludes.

See the collection and return locations for academic dress:

Gown collection: 

Sir John Clancy Auditorium ceremonies - The Pavilions, opens in a new window
Leighton Hall, John Niland Scientia ceremonies - The Tyree Room

Gown return:

Sir John Clancy Auditorium ceremonies - The Pavilions
Leighton Hall, John Niland Scientia ceremonies - The Galleries

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Grad Shop has a wide range of sizes available on the day of the ceremony, eliminating the need for pre-fittings. Simply arrive at your designated Academic Dress Collection location at the scheduled time for your custom fitting. The staff will have a record of the degree you are graduating with and will ensure that you are fitted with the right gown.
The cost of your academic dress hire is included in the graduation fee. If you would like to own your academic dress, you can purchase it at an additional cost to the graduation fee. Contact The Grad Shop, opens in a new window directly to organise the purchase and additional payment for your academic dress.

Learn more
Graduation ceremonies are formal occasions, so please wear appropriate clothing underneath your academic dress. When choosing your outfit for graduation day, remember that academic gowns are worn open at the front.
Academic dress consists of a black gown, a hood and a trencher-cap (mortar-board) or bonnet. For a description of your gown, see UNSW Academic Dress Regulations and Colours, opens in a new window (pdf, 14 pages, 1.3 mb).

If you cannot wear academic dress for religious reasons, please contact UNSW Graduations.