The pomp and circumstance of UK university graduations have long been steeped in tradition, with each institution proudly showcasing its unique customs that transform students into graduates. From ancient rituals to modern costs, the spectacle has become an integral part of British university life. While some elements are common – such as wearing academic gowns – others vary significantly, often rooted in centuries of history.
The cost of participation can be a contentious issue for many students. Hiring a gown and mortarboard can set you back around £35 for just a few hours' wear. Add to this the expense of guest tickets, official photographs, and commemorative merchandise, and the total bill quickly mounts up. For example, Goldsmiths College in London charges £18 per guest ticket, which includes a buffet lunch with wine and live jazz. Meanwhile, Edinburgh University students have paid £30 for their ticket, which also grants them lifelong membership of the university council.
The graduation rituals themselves are diverse and often intriguing. At Goldsmiths College, a quick handshake and congratulations from the presiding officer mark the occasion. However, other institutions maintain more elaborate procedures. Cardiff University advises graduands to 'doff their caps' to officials – a slight nod and touch or raise of the cap is required. Oxford University has been known for its strict dress codes, with one account noting a student being required to find tights to cover their legs before being permitted to join their ceremony.
Cambridge University's ceremony stands out for its ancient customs, where graduands are presented to the Vice-Chancellor by their college's praelector. The group of four – holding the praelector's fingers – approach the throne, where the Vice-Chancellor confers degrees by placing hands around the graduand's and reciting a Latin declaration: "Auctoritate mihi commissa admitto te ad gradum Baccalaurei in Artibus, in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti." While the entire ceremony is conducted in Latin, students can now opt to omit the Trinitarian words for religious reasons.
Perhaps one of the most unusual traditions can be found at Edinburgh University, where each graduate's head is tapped with a cap believed to have originated from John Knox's breeches. The Calvinist reformer and founder of the Presbyterian Church died in 1572, but a label inside the cap during its restoration two years ago was dated 1849 – suggesting a later origin for the specific item, though the tradition persists. St Andrew's University also reportedly uses cloth claimed to be from Knox's trousers in its own graduation ceremonies.
Despite the costs and sometimes seemingly anachronistic nature of these traditions, many argue for their retention. The solemnity and historical grandeur of these occasions are often viewed as a vital affirmation of the importance of higher education, particularly in the UK's academic landscape.