Gowns for Kingston University graduation ceremonies

We encourage everyone to wear 'academic dress' (gown, hood and hat) at their graduation ceremony. It's not compulsory, but most graduates choose to.

Cost of gown hire

  • £45 if you order your robe hire in advance. The price includes gown, hood and hat hire for the day.
  • £50 if you hire your gown after the order deadline or on the day at the ceremony venue. The price includes gown, hood and hat hire for the day.
  • £10 if you want to keep your hat as a memento. You can buy the hat on the day of your ceremony.

Missed the gown order deadline?

All academic dress for graduation ceremonies held by Kingston University is supplied by The Graduate Gowning Company (GGC). If you haven't hired your gown by the deadline, you will still be able to hire a gown on the day.

Graduates who haven't booked their gown in advance should make their way to the designated 'On The Day' orders desk in the robing area as early as possible and staff there will do their best to assist.

For more information, please see the Graduate Gowning company's FAQs. If you need any further assistance, you can call the GGC on tel: +44 (0)1736 751855 or email info@graduategowning.co.uk.

Collecting your gown on the day 

The first thing you need to do is collect your gown at the Guildhall (opposite the Rose Theatre). Only graduates are allowed in the gowning area. There is a waiting area for guests nearby. You must collect your gown at least 1 hour before your ceremony start time.

The time to collect your gown will depend on the start time of your ceremony. Information for planning your day, with full details on what's happening where and when, will be available soon.

Cancellation and refunds

If you find that, having ordered your gown, you can no longer attend your ceremony, please contact Graduate Gowning Company by email info@graduategowning.co.uk and they will assist in arranging a refund.

male graduate in robes talking and smiling with his dad in a suit

Gown types

The different types of gowns, depending on the award you receive. Please ensure you hire the right gown for your level of award:

Sub-degree gown

You should wear a sub-degree gown if your qualification is a:

  • Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)
  • Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
  • Foundation Certificate (FdCert)
  • Foundation Diploma (FdDip)
  • Higher National Certificate
  • Higher National Diploma
Sub-degree gown

Foundation gown

You should wear a foundation gown if your qualification is a:

  • Arts Foundation Degree (Fda)
  • Engineering Foundation Degree (FdEng)
  • Science Foundation Degree (FdSc)
Foundation gown

Bachelors gown

You should wear a bachelors gown if your qualification is a:

  • Arts (BA)
  • Business Administration (BBA)
  • Engineering (BEng)
  • Laws (LLB)
  • Music (BMus)
  • Science (BSc)
Bachelors gown

Integrated masters gown

You should wear an integrated masters gown if your qualification is a:

  • Chemistry (MChem)
  • Computing (MComp)
  • Engineering (MEng)
  • Pharmaceutical Science (MPharmSci)
  • Pharmacy (MPharm)
Integrated masters gown

Postgraduate gown

You should wear a postgraduate gown if your qualification is a:

  • Graduate Certificate
  • Graduate Diploma
  • Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
  • Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip)
Postgraduate gown

Masters gown

You should wear a masters gown if your qualification is a:

  • Arts (MA)
  • Architecture (MArch)
  • Business Administration (MBA)
  • Education(MEd)
  • Fine Art (MFA)
  • Laws (LLM)
  • Music (MMus)
  • Science (MSc)
  • Social Work (MSW)
  • Masters by Research (MRes)
  • Philosophy (MPhil)
Masters gown

Doctoral gown

You should wear a doctoral gown if your qualification is a:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
  • Doctor of Education (DEd)
  • Professional Doctorate in Occupational and Business Psychology
Doctoral gown