Academic Dress

Full academic dress should be worn at all formal University ceremonies including matriculation and degree ceremonies. Sub fusc (from the Latin sub fuscus meaning dark brown) should be worn beneath your academic gown and is also required when sitting examinations.

You may be prevented from entering the Examination Schools or Sheldonian Theatre if you are not wearing the correct gowning, so it is very important that you adhere strictly to the dress code.


Sub fusc

Sub fusc consists of the following items of clothing worn underneath the gown:

1. One of the following combinations:
       a. Dark suit with dark socks or
       b. Dark skirt with plain black tights or stockings or
       c. Dark trousers with plain dark socks

2. Plain white collared shirt or blouse

3. One of the following:
       a. White bow tie or
       b. Black bow tie or
       c. Black full-length tie or
       d. Black ribbon

4. Black shoes

5. A dark coat, if desired


Hire or Purchase your Academic Dress

Students are responsible for hiring or purchasing their own gowning items from the vendor of their choice. Entering "Oxford gown hire" into a search engine will direct you to most of the vendors on the High Street, Turl Street and Broad Street. Shops that hire and sell academic dress in Oxford include:

Watch out for Fresher's offers and deals each September/early October. They can sell out quickly!

Useful videos are available to view from Shepherd and Woodward and Walters of Oxford.