All graduates are required to wear academic dress (cap, hood and gown) throughout the ceremony. You should order this via the Ede and Ravenscroft website. Orders for Cardiff University can be submitted from March onwards.

• Which robes should I order ?
• How to order
• Before the ceremony
• Dressing tips
• Hats
• Additional time
• New robes
• Hire charges
• Refunds
• Colour of Cardiff University gowns and hoods
• Colour of University of Wales gowns and hoods

Which robes should I order ?

Your invitation will state which gown you need to order.

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How to order

You can order online from Ede and Ravenscroft, and pay by credit or debit card (all major cards accepted). You will receive your confirmation and order number all in one simple transaction. Before you start, make sure you know your head circumference (see below under ‘Hats’), chest and height measurements and have your credit/debit card details available. Print out your order confirmation and take it with you when you collect your outfit on the day of your ceremony so your order can be processed quickly.

Alternatively, you can telephone the Ede and Ravenscroft call centre on +44 (0)1223 861854. Operating hours 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday. (Calls may be recorded for staff training.)

Overseas students who do not wish to order online should call the Ede and Ravenscroft information line for details of how to order (24 hour line) +44 (01223) 440949.

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Before the ceremony

The robes you order are available in City Hall prior to the ceremonies and must be returned there afterwards. 

Robes are available from 8.15am onwards, and must be returned by 6pm for the ceremonies on 18th and 22nd July, and 8pm for the ceremonies on 19th, 20th and 21st July. Arrangements can be made with  Ede and Ravenscroft to retain your robes for the week.

Please ensure that you collect your registration card, which includes your seat number, along with your robe.

Attached inside your robe is a ticket showing your name and reference number. This ticket must not be removed under any circumstances as it is needed to register the return of the robe after the ceremony. Please inform one of the Ede and Ravenscroft staff in City Hall if it becomes detached.

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Dressing tips

For comfort and practicality it is recommended that you wear a top or shirt that buttons up to the neck, as this makes it easier to attach the hood over your gown. Alternatively, you may find a supply of safety pins useful. If you have long hair, you may find it useful to bring some hair grips to assist in holding your cap in place. If you need an extra large or small gown please make sure you specify this when placing your order with Ede and Ravenscroft.

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Hats

If you are unsure of your hat size, measure the circumference of your head one inch above the eyebrow level and state the measurement in inches or cms (see diagram on the Ede and Ravenscroft website).

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Additional time

It is possible to hire your robes for additional time, allowing you to take the robes home to have extra photographs taken. The special reduced price for this is available from the Ede and Ravenscroft website. Kindly note that robes must be returned to Ede and Ravenscroft within 7 days, at the hirer's expense (a return bag is provided). If retained for longer than 7 days you are liable to an extra charge which is half of the original hire fee per week or part thereof. Robes cannot be taken out of the country.

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New robes

It is possible to buy new robes from Ede and Ravenscroft with prices starting from approximately £160.00 for the gowns, £68.00 for the hoods and £34.00 for the hats. More information about this offer is available from the Ede and Ravenscroft website.

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Hire charges

Prices are listed below as a guide only. Confirmation of hire charges is provided by the Ede and Ravenscroft website when you place your order.

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Refunds

If you are unable to attend your graduation ceremony, for whatever reason, Ede and Ravenscroft will refund your fee in full on condition that your claim is received by them in writing at least 7 days before the ceremony. Write to them with your name, the name of the University and the date of the ceremony. Please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope and your acknowledgement card if you have received it. Unfortunately, they are unable to accept claims made by fax or phone. Refunds for additional time can only be made if your outfit is not used at a ceremony

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Colours of Cardiff University Gowns and Hoods 

Cardiff UniversityAwards

Bachelor	BA, BEng,  BSc, BScEcon, BMid, BMus, BN, BTh, LLB	Black undergraduate gown Cardiff Red hood, Oxford style, lined with Soft White silk Ordinary square black cap
Extended Bachelor  and  Integrated Master	BDS, MBBCh     MArch, MChem, MEng, MESci, MPharm, MPhys	Black undergraduate gown Cardiff Red hood, Oxford style, lined with Soft White silk edged with Royal Blue Ordinary square black cap
Certificate	Certificate of Higher Education, Postgraduate Certificate	Black undergraduate gown Cardiff Red hood, Oxford style, lined with Beige silk Ordinary square black cap
Diploma	Diploma of Higher Education, Postgraduate Diploma	Black undergraduate gown Cardiff Red hood, Oxford style, lined with Powder Blue silk Ordinary square black cap
Taught Master	LLM, MA, MBA, MMus, MPA, MPH,  MSc, MScD, MScEcon, MTh	Black Master’s gown Cardiff Red hood, Oxford style, lined with Royal Blue silk Ordinary square black cap
Research Master	MCh, MPhil, MRes, MScD by Research	Black Master’s gown Cardiff Red hood, Oxford style, lined with Lilac silk Ordinary square black cap
Doctorate	PhD, DClinPsy, DEdPsy, DSW,  EdD, EngD, MD	Cardiff Red gown with full sleeves with Forest Green facings and sleeve linings, edged with Silver Grey Cardiff Red hood, Oxford style, lined with Forest Green Silk, edged with Silver Grey Black velvet bonnet with black & silver silk tassel
Senior Doctorate	DD, DLitt, DMus, DSc, DScEcon, LLD	Cardiff Red gown with full sleeves with Pale Gold facings and sleeve linings, edged with Silver Grey Cardiff Red hood, Oxford style, lined with Pale Gold Silk, edged with Silver Grey Black velvet bonnet with black & silver silk tassel

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Colour of University of Wales gowns and hoods

Students receiving an Swansea Graduate MBBCh will require University of Wales academic robes.

Bachelors and Masters wear a black stuff or silk gown of the patterns customary for these degrees.

Bachelors' hoods are of the Oxford form, and are made of black stuff or silk, in which they are made of dark blue silk. Bachelors' hoods are bordered with silk of the colours proper to the respective Faculties.

Masters' hoods are of the Cambridge form, and are made of black silk, in which they are made of dark blue silk. Masters' hoods are lined with silk of the colours proper to the respective Faculties. 

The colours proper to the Faculties are: