Graduations are super special days after your matriculation, of course. It’s basically the day you get to shed some few tears and scream “mama we made it!” because Lord knows just how difficult and stressful University can be. Plus there’s nothing more satisfying than flooding your social media pages with pictures of you in the gown with your 101 hashtags.
So in order not to disgrace yourself, here’s how to wear the graduation gown like the graduand you are!
The academic regalia is made up of a gown, a hood and a mortarboard also known as the cap.
Step 1: Put on the gown
The gown is the loose outer garment, which is typically black (Crimson for doctoral graduands). The gown should be worn with the kente stole facings aligned below the collarbone and not overlapping. Wear it over a formal and decent outfit.
Step 2: Put on the hood.
The hood should be worn with the hood part to the back and the tapering part (neckband) to the front of your gown, around the neck.
You may secure the neckband in place with a safety-pin. Gentlemen should note that a tie goes over the face of the hood
The hood has an inner lining of satin (yellow for Bachelors’ and white for Masters’)- this should not be fully exposed. The cowl of the hood hangs against the back in a fold which exposes just the edge of the hood lining.
Step 3: Put on your cap or mortarboard.
It has two tapered edges. The cap should be worn with the smaller tapered side (furthest from the purple label) towards the front of your face (above your forehead). The tassel attached to the cap should be worn on the right side before the degree is conferred and afterwards shifted to the left the moment the degree is awarded.
Gentlemen should note that cap must be removed on stepping up stage for hand shakes.
Please note that Graduands are required to wear gowns strictly appropriate to their degrees/diplomas, as follows:
| * Doctorate Degrees | – Crimson Gown, appropriate hood & cap |
| * MPhil, MFA, EMBA, MBA, MA, MSc, EPM, MPA, MHI | – Black Gown with White and Black Kente Stole facing, hood and cap |
| * Bachelor of Arts/ Science/ Public Health/Fine Arts | – Black Gown with Yellow & Black Kente Stole facing, hood and cap |
| *Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Dental Surgery | – Black Gown with Red and Black Kente Stole facing, hood and cap |
| * Bachelor of Laws | – Black Gown with Purple & Black Kente Stole facing, hood and cap |
| * Non-Degree | – Black Gown with cap (without hood) |
