A Guide to the Honorary Degrees
The tradition of university officers and graduates wearing academic dress for formal occasions dates back to the founding years of the University. The design of the gowns for honorary graduates was first approved by the Council in 1915.
The academic dress for an honorary graduate includes a scarlet coloured robe and hood of panama materials, and a bonnet-shaped black velvet cap with a hard round brim. Specific colour details in the robe and hood differentiate the five different types of honorary degrees.
Doctor of Laws honoris causa (LLD honoris causa)
A robe of scarlet panama with facings of deep blue silk and a hood of scarlet panama with lining of deep blue silk throughout. Black velvet cap, bonnet-shaped and soft, with a hard round brim and a narrow cord of gold at the junction of the crown and the brim.
Doctor of Letters honoris causa (DLitt honoris causa)
A robe of scarlet panama with facings of royal blue silk and a hood of scarlet panama with lining of royal blue silk throughout. Black velvet cap, bonnet-shaped and soft, with a hard round brim and a narrow cord of gold at the junction of the crown and the brim.
Doctor of Science honoris causa (DSc honoris causa)
A robe of scarlet panama with facings of white silk and a hood of scarlet panama with lining of white silk throughout. Black velvet cap, bonnet-shaped and soft, with a hard round brim and a narrow cord of gold at the junction of the crown and the brim.
Doctor of Divinity honoris causa (DD honoris causa)
A robe of scarlet panama with facings of Sarum red silk and a hood of scarlet panama with lining of Sarum red silk throughout. The outside edge of facings and top edge of sleeve facings, and lining of hood, decorated with 1 inch black ribbon. Black velvet cap.
Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa (DSocSc honoris causa)
A robe of scarlet panama with facings of dark green silk and a hood of scarlet panama with lining of dark green silk throughout. Black velvet cap, bonnet-shaped and soft, with a hard round brim and a narrow cord of gold at the junction of the crown and the brim.