
Encaenia Dress Code
Encaenia is the ceremony at which the University of Oxford awards honorary degrees to distinguished men and women and commemorates its benefactors. It is held annually on the Wednesday of ninth week during Trinity Term.
Ceremony
If you hold a degree from the below Universities you may choose to wear academic dress of your highest degree honour.
- University of Oxford
Follow the procession members guidance below. - University of Cambridge or Trinity College Dublin
Academic dress from their University – gown, hood, subfusc.
OR
- Members of Congregation who do not have a degree from the University of Oxford, Cambridge or Trinity College Dublin
Plain black MA gown, with MA hood, over subfusc.
OR
Smart day wear
Note:
- It is not compulsory to wear academic dress to the ceremony.
- Gowns from all other Universities are not permitted.
- Traditionally subfusc is worn, but guests tend to wear smart day wear under their robes.
- Academic dress is only mandatory for Lord Crewe’s Benefaction/procession members.
Lord Crewe’s Benefaction/Procession members
You must wear the University of Oxford academic dress of your highest degree honour. Subfusc is mandatory for procession participants.
- Higher doctorates
Scarlet robe over subfusc, bands and the appropriate cap. - DPhils
Scarlet robe over subfusc. - Bachelors and Masters’
Black gown over subfusc, hood and mortarboard/soft cap. - Outgoing Presidents of JCR & MCR of the colleges of the current Proctors and Assessor
Commoners, scholars or graduate gown over subfusc. - Members of Congregation who do not have a degree from the University of Oxford
Plain black gown, with hood, over subfusc.
Garden Party
Guests holding degrees from any University are encouraged to wear the academic dress appropriate to their degrees - gowns and hoods.
OR
Clerical, national dress and military uniform.
OR
Smart day wear
Note: gowns are not mandatory.
Full academic dress guidelines, including a description of subfusc, are available here.