Gowns and Hoods

information for spring 2025 graduates will be updated in march 2025

ACADEMIC REGALIA (GOWNS AND HOODS)

This page provides information on:

  • Academic Regalia and rental instructions for ceremonies
  • Stoles
  • Indigenous Regalia
Image of two graduands in their academic regalia

Academic Regalia 


All candidates must wear academic gowns and hoods. The academic regalia of all University of Toronto degree programs includes a gown and a hood for your degree. Hoods are neither required, nor worn, for candidates from diploma and certificate courses.

Fall 2024 graduating students can arrange for your gown and hood rental between October 2 and October 14. Please note that the gown rental service will close on October 14.

Attending the convocation ceremony is a simple two step process.

  1. You will first need to arrange for Gown and Hood Rental (note that this link will only be activated once the site has opened on October 2). Please note that the gown rental ID number (8 digit Order Number found in the email that you receive from the Harcourts Regalia Order) that you are issued when you arrange for your gown and hood rental will be required to order your guest tickets.
  2. RSVP and guest ticket orders are the second step in the process. An online RSVP and Guest Ticket Request form will be available through ACORN as of October 2.

During the Convocation period the University of Toronto arranges for an onsite gown rental service.

If you own, or are purchasing, U of T regalia, you will need to speak to a staff member at the Office of Convocation (416) 978-5940 before you RSVP online.

NOTE: You must arrive no later than 90 minutes before your ceremony to collect your regalia in the Myhal CEIE, 55 St. George Street, and proceed directly to the Marshalling Rooms where you will be assembled for the ceremony.  

Please note that if you arrive late there is no guarantee that you will be able to join the ceremony.

Stoles

While stoles are sometimes worn as an expression of one’s culture or heritage, they are not part of the University’s approved academic regalia and may not be worn during the convocation ceremony. They may, however, be worn under your gown and hood during the ceremony, and after the ceremony has concluded be made visible outside Convocation Hall while celebrating with your friends and family.

Indigenous Graduands & Regalia

In this context, Indigenous peoples include the First Nations, Inuk (Inuit), and Métis peoples of Canada.

The University of Toronto normally requires all graduands to wear an academic gown and hood when crossing the stage at graduation.

However, if an Indigenous graduand wishes to wear their traditional Indigenous regalia in place of the academic gown, they are very welcome to do so.

In any event, the academic hood – the colour and style of which corresponds to the academic degree earned— must be worn. The hood is the recognition of the graduating student’s academic success and a critical part of the academic tradition. It signifies admission into a community of scholars, and as such must be worn with one’s traditional Indigenous regalia or academic regalia.