Academic dress and history
Graduation ceremonies are a formal celebration and graduands are encouraged to dress appropriately.
If you choose to physically attend your ceremony, you must wear the correct academic regalia for your course at your graduation ceremony.
When you register for your graduation ceremony, you are charged a fee. This fee includes your academic dress hire.
You'll be fitted for your academic dress on the day of your ceremony. Upon arrival on your graduation day, you'll first check in at the gowning room. All graduands are fitted on the day and no pre-fitting is necessary as we have a variety of sizes.
You must return your academic dress to the gowning room within one hour of the completion of your graduation ceremony.
Our academic dress hire and purchase services are not available during the following periods:
- Friday, 13 December 2024 to Wednesday, 15 January 2025
- Thursday, 17 April 2025 to Friday, 13 June 2025
- Thursday, 9 October 2025 to Friday, 28 November 2025
Submit an Ask UTS online enquiry to the Graduations team for information and prices.
Frequently asked questions
How can I purchase or hire academic dress (gown, hood, trencher/bonnet)?
Graduands who have been conferred are eligible to purchase, but please note you don't need to purchase academic dress for your ceremony. Full academic dress hire is included in your registration fee, however must be returned within an hour of completion of your graduation ceremony.
If you'd like to buy academic dress for your upcoming graduation ceremony, graduands should submit an Ask UTS online enquiry with their request. Please allow as much notice as possible. If submitted within two weeks of the commencement of the ceremony season, we'll process your request after the ceremony season when we reopen academic dress purchase. There's a postage fee that applies.
Academic dress can't be purchased on the day of your graduation ceremony. Hire gowns are from an external supplier and can't be kept or purchased.
If you've already attended your graduation ceremony and would like to purchase academic dress, please submit an Ask UTS online enquiry. Please note the open and closure time periods for academic dress purchases (noted above).
I have my own academic dress, do I need to pay for the full ceremony fee?
Yes, all graduands must pay the full ceremony registration fee. Please note - you can only purchase genuine UTS academic dress from UTS. If you've purchased UTS academic dress from another supplier and plan to wear this at your graduation ceremony, please submit an Ask UTS online enquiry with photos of your academic dress.
I own part of my academic dress, am I eligible for a discount of the ceremony fee?
No discounts apply. You'll need to pay the full ceremony fee.
Can I keep my academic dress overnight or longer than the duration of my graduation ceremony?
Academic dress hire cannot be kept overnight or beyond an hour after the completion of your graduation ceremony. This is outlined in the hire agreement when registering and paying for your ceremony registration fee.
Can I hire or purchase a full academic dress set if I haven't yet completed my course?
Only graduates whose awards have been conferred by the university are eligible to wear academic dress appropriate to the level of award obtained. The Registrar (or nominee) may approve the use of the University's academic dress by those yet to have their awards conferred only at appropriate formal occasions or other official University events, such as the International Students' Farewell Ceremony.
Student and related rules:
My academic dress size is incorrect, can I change it?
Unfortunately no refunds or exchanges are permitted due to hygiene reasons. Our team checks items are in perfect condition before they're mailed out to you. Sizes are chosen carefully according to the measurements you provide on the order form.
If you need further information about sizing or are unsure about an item, please submit an Ask UTS online enquiry before placing an order and our team will advise.
