What The Future

Graduation gowns are part of the Academic regalia.  The academic regalia include the gown and also the hood and cap. Graduation gowns date far back to the twelfth century. Gowns were used in the first universities that came to be in Europe.

Academic gowns originated from the church. The style of gown used today still reflects the first gown used in the inception of the gown in the twelfth century. The academic gown is almost 800 years old (far older than the oldest professor). The academic gown can be divided into three, the Bachelor gown, the masters’ gown and the doctorate gown. In 1222 English clerics were order to use a flowing gown.  This resulted to the academic gown.

 During the inception of gown, both the masters and the scholar all wear gown. The PhD regalia comprises of the gown, hood and cap.

The masters’ gown is also known as master robes and graduate robes.

The bachelor’s gown is also known as graduate robe. The gown worn by the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor does not indicate the award of the wearer but the office the wearer hold.  Gowns have different shapes, different length and different sleeves depending on weather it is Bachelor or Masters or Doctorate gown.

In 1321 it was enforce by Coimbra University that all doctors, bachelor and licentiates wear gown. In the 19^th century the United State Standardize all the colours that the hoods use. Hoods that are scarlet is used by Divinity, theology and religion. Hoods green in colour are used by Physical Science, Surgical Chiropody, podiatry, Pharmacy and medicine. The blue colour is favoured by the doctors from the following discipline: Arts in Education, Counselling and guardian, Education, Pedagogy and Social ethics. Gold is the colour of the hood of doctors in Science.

The Academic hoods originated from cowls that were worn by monks to cover their head as result of the harsh weather. Today the hood is not worn on the head. Hoods are black, in most cases they are made from the same material the gown is made from.  Their length varies from 3 feet to four feet.  The doctors hood is wider, larger and bigger that the rest. The hood takes various colours depending on the area of specialization. Cowls are made used by those awarded honorary degrees and associate degree. They are usually the universities colour at the linings and the rest are made of black. There is no particular colour to a discipline. Tams are used by the doctors they are made from velvet. Some universities also use Tam for their master degree holders. The tam has a ribbon attached to the fabric.

Mortarboard is another name for cap. They are flat at the top and have a cluster of silk at the centre. They are not made from velvet they are usually black in colour or the colour of the university awarding the degree.

Gowns are not commonly used in the university now except for ceremonial events like Matriculation, public hearing, convocation and the likes.  To appreciate the beauty of a gown, go and watch a study graduating. You sure will not regret it.