Massey University - Robe Descriptions

Gown
Everybody who receives an award at Graduation needs to wear an academic gown.
There are four types to choose from:

• Bachelor gowns are worn by bachelor degree, diploma, and certificate recipients. They are black Cambridge bachelor style, and have an open sleeve.
• Master gowns are worn by master degree recipients. They are also black, Cambridge master style, and have a closed or pocket sleeve.
• PhD gowns are worn by recipients of PhD, DoctBusAdmin and Doct Education degrees. They are identical to master gowns except that they have scarlet facings down the front.
• Higher doctorate recipients wear all-scarlet gowns, styled the same as master gowns.

Hood
Hoods are worn by recipients of degrees. They are the shape of a Cambridge BA hood.

• The outside of all hoods except PhD is a navy known as University Blue, distinctive of Massey University. PhD hoods have a scarlet outer and a University Blue lining.
  
  
• The trim inside the mouth of the hood indicates status:
  Bachelors have a fur trim (includes first bachelor degrees awarded with honours)
  Bachelor Honours hoods have a white ribbon trim (these are second bachelor degrees)
  Masters and doctors have no trim.
  
  
• The lining colour indicates the area of study. (Screen colours are approximate only)

Stole
Stoles are worn by recipients of diplomas. They are like a long scarf which hangs down the front over the gown. They are black with a pale blue inner margin and the Massey University symbol embroidered in pale blue near the hem on one side. No distinction is made between different classes of diplomas.

Trencher
This is the traditional mortarboard or "Cap" worn by bachelors and masters. It is black, with a black tassel. It should be worn with the top board horizontal and the smaller peak of the cap to the front. The tassel may hang to either side.

Doctoral Bonnet (or Tudor Bonnet)
Bonnets are worn by all doctors. They are soft-topped and made of black velvet. They have a circular brim and are trimmed with black cords and tassels.

Summary - The robes you need to wear

Certificates:
A bachelor gown only. However, if you already hold a degree you may choose to wear the robes of that degree instead of the above.

Diplomas:
A bachelor gown and a Massey stole. Those who also have degrees wear a trencher in addition. However, if you already hold a degree you may choose to wear the robes of that degree instead of the above. [Note that you do not wear a stole and a hood together.]

If you are receiving a degree and a diploma at these ceremonies you may wear the degree robes for both awards. It is not practicable to change between hood and stole during a ceremony.

Bachelor Degrees:
A bachelor gown, a bachelor hood, and a trencher.

Conjoint Bachelor Degrees:
A bachelor gown, a bachelor hood, and a trencher. You need to decide whether you will attend one ceremony or both relevant ceremonies. If attending one ceremony: You need to decide which of the two relevant bachelor hoods to wear. You do not wear two at once! If attending both ceremonies: Wear the hood of your choice at each ceremony. You do not wear two at once!

Master Degrees:
A master gown, a master hood, and a trencher.

PhD Degree:
A PhD gown, a PhD hood, and a doctoral bonnet.

Doct Business Administration, Doct Education Degrees:
A PhD gown, the relevant master hood (MBA or MEd), and a doctoral bonnet.

DCom, DLit, DSc Degrees:
A scarlet gown, the relevant master hood (MBS, MA, MSc), and a doctoral bonnet.

Receiving two degrees in the same discipline:
For example BA and BA Honours - wear the hood of the higher qualification.

Receiving two degrees in different disciplines:
For example BA and BSW - wear the appropriate hood for each award.

More Information:
Click here to consult Massey Calendar.
Click FAQs for further advice.
If still uncertain, please contact us