The academic dress of the University of Melbourne refers to the formal attire, including robes, gowns, and hoods, as prescribed by the Statutes and Regulations^[1] for undergraduates, graduates, officers, and honorands of the university. This follows the style of the University of Oxford for the gowns and hoods for Bachelors and Masters degrees. Melbourne adopts the style of the University of Cambridge for its doctorates. The hoods are all black, resembling the size and shape of the Oxford MA hoods, which are in the simple Burgon shape. These hoods are lined with the color specified for the corresponding faculty or degree and are bound with white on the lower edge for bachelors, while masters' hoods have no binding. The specific faculty or degree colors are outlined in the University Regulations. In the past, Pass degrees were bound in fur and Honours degrees in silk; however, this distinction no longer holds. Bachelors wear an Oxford Bachelors gown, while Masters wear an Oxford Masters gown. The gown for undergraduate students is the same as the bachelors', but its sleeves must not be split.

In the past, policies regarding the use of the mortar board were strictly for Masters with Bachelors and undergraduates not being permitted to wear the mortar board. This rule applied to both graduation photography and the ceremony itself.^[2] However, as of 2023, the university has revised its regulations, allowing all Bachelors to receive a mortar board at their ceremony and granting permission to have photographs taken with it.^[3]

For individuals holding a PhD degree, the academic dress includes an Oxford Masters gown, faced in scarlet, with a black hood lined in scarlet, accompanied by a bonnet with a scarlet cord. Higher doctorates, on the other hand, feature a gown that is scarlet, lined, and faced with the color representing the faculty/degree, along with a larger scarlet hood lined in the same color as the faculty/degree. A bonnet with a gold cord completes the ensemble for higher doctorate holders.

Occasions for academic dress

Dignitaries, officers, staff, graduates and students wear academic dress at public ceremonies of the University of Melbourne. These include graduation ceremonies and important public lectures.

Dignitaries, visitors and residents of the residential colleges wear their academic regalia to a formal dinner several nights per week during the lecturing semester (varying depending on the college). Some residential colleges dignify their fellows with distinct gowns.

Faculty colours

Definition of colour names:

Colours