Do Oxford University Students Require A Dress Code?

The University of Oxford has a long tradition of academic dress, which is worn more frequently than at other universities. While there is no uniform, there is a strict dress code for certain formal occasions. For example, every undergraduate and graduate must obtain a gown, cap, and tie or ribbon for the matriculation ceremony. For examinations and degree ceremonies, students are required to wear 'sub fusc', which is a set of specific items of dark clothing, including a dark suit, dark skirt, or dark trousers, with black shoes and a white shirt.

Oxford University students are required to wear formal academic dress for matriculation and degree ceremonies

Oxford University has a long tradition of academic dress, which is still observed today. While there is no uniform or dress code for students, formal academic dress is required for certain occasions.

Full academic dress is mandatory at all formal university ceremonies, including matriculation and degree ceremonies. The academic dress code at Oxford is solemn and modest, traditionally consisting of plain black attire. This includes a dark suit with black socks, or a dark skirt with black tights or stockings, or dark trousers with black socks or hosiery. A dark jacket, plain black shoes with dark soles, and a plain white collared shirt or blouse with sleeves are also required. The specific gown, hood, and headwear depend on the student's degree and level of study.

For matriculation, every undergraduate and graduate student must obtain a gown, cap, and either a white bow tie, black tie, or black ribbon. Gowns are also commonly worn to formal dinners, major public lectures, internal and end-of-term academic progress reports, and disciplinary hearings.

For examinations, students are required to wear "subfusc," which refers to the dark, plain clothing worn beneath the academic gown. This includes the same options as matriculation, with the addition of a white or black bow tie, black full-length tie, or black ribbon. Carnations are also traditionally worn for examinations, with white for the first exam, pink for intermediate exams, and red for the final exam.

The academic dress for degree ceremonies is similar to that of matriculation and examinations, with the addition of the appropriate academic gown and mortarboard or soft cap.

While there is no uniform for everyday wear, students are expected to dress smart casual for tutorials, with a jacket and tie, and occasionally a dark suit or its equivalent.

The academic dress code at Oxford is solemn and modest, traditionally comprised of plain black clothing

The University of Oxford has a long tradition of academic dress, which is often worn by students. The academic dress code at Oxford is solemn and modest, traditionally comprised of plain black clothing, known as 'sub fusc' (from the Latin for 'dark/dusky colour'). This is worn beneath an academic gown and is required for formal university ceremonies, matriculation, examinations and degree conferrals.

The sub fusc dress code is in keeping with the solemnity of Oxford's ceremonies, where the university bestows membership and degrees, and pays respect to those who have earned these honours. The plain black clothing is comprised of a dark suit with black socks, or a dark skirt with black tights or stockings, or dark trousers with black socks or hosiery. The socks, tights or stockings must cover the ankle entirely, with no skin showing between the bottom of the trouser leg or skirt and the top of the covering. On top, a dark jacket, plain white collared shirt or blouse with sleeves, and either a white or black bow tie, or a black ribbon or full-length tie, are required. Black shoes with dark soles complete the outfit.

The academic gown is added to this, along with a mortarboard or soft cap. The mortarboard must be removed when entering buildings and carried indoors. The soft cap can be kept on. The gowns differ depending on the level of the student and their subject. For example, undergraduates taking BA, BFA, BTh, MPhys and other undergraduate master's degrees wear a black gown of cotton or synthetic material with a turned-over collar and streamers on each side, falling to the hip. Graduate students wear a longer version of this gown, reaching the knee.

In addition to the sub fusc and gown, students traditionally wear carnations for examinations, though this is not compulsory. A white carnation is worn for the first exam, a pink one for any intermediate exams, and a red carnation for the final exam.

Students must wear either a dark suit with black socks, a dark skirt with black tights, or dark trousers with black socks or hosiery

While there is no official uniform for students at Oxford University, there is a strict dress code for formal university ceremonies, matriculation, examinations, and graduation. This is known as "sub fusc" (from the Latin for "very dark") and typically consists of a dark suit with black socks, a dark skirt with black tights, or dark trousers with black socks or hosiery. The colour "dark" generally refers to black, charcoal grey, or dark blue.

For men, the sub fusc dress code requires a dark suit and socks, a white shirt and collar, and a black tie or ribbon. Women are required to wear a black skirt or trousers, black stockings or tights, and a dark coat if desired. Additionally, both men and women must ensure that their socks, tights, or stockings cover the ankle entirely, with no gaps between the bottom of the trouser leg or skirt and the top of the hosiery.

During formal university ceremonies, examinations, and graduation, students must wear their sub fusc attire under their academic gowns. The academic gown will vary depending on the student's degree program and level (undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate). For example, undergraduates typically wear a short black lay-type gown that covers the suit jacket, while graduate students wear a longer black gown that reaches the knee.

In addition to the sub fusc and academic gown, students are expected to wear specific footwear and headwear during formal occasions. Plain black shoes with dark soles are required, and for headwear, men typically wear a mortarboard (a square cap), while women have the option of choosing between a mortarboard and a soft cap. It is worth noting that the mortarboard is traditionally removed when entering buildings and carried indoors.

The wearing of subfusc remains a popular tradition at Oxford, with students voting in favour of compulsory academic dress in examinations

The University of Oxford has a long-standing tradition of academic dress, which continues to this day. The wearing of subfusc—which comes from the Latin for 'of a dark/dusky colour'—is a popular tradition at Oxford, with students voting in favour of compulsory academic dress in examinations.

Subfusc is worn at university matriculation, university examinations, degree ceremonies, and the annual Encaenia (Commemoration) ceremony. The tradition dates back to medieval Europe and is solemn and modest, in line with the University's ceremonies.

The specific requirements for subfusc are as follows: students must wear either a dark suit with black socks, or a dark skirt with black tights or stockings, or dark trousers with black socks or hosiery. Socks, tights, and stockings must cover the ankle entirely, with no gap between the bottom of the trouser leg or skirt and the top of the socks or stockings. A dark jacket, worn underneath the gown, is optional. Students must also wear plain black shoes with dark soles, a plain white collared shirt or blouse with sleeves, and a tie or ribbon in either white or black. The tie can be a bow tie or a full-length tie.

In addition to subfusc, students are required to wear the appropriate academic gown and either a mortarboard or a soft cap. The mortarboard may be worn outdoors but must be removed when entering buildings and carried indoors. Soft caps may be kept on indoors.

The wearing of subfusc at Oxford is a tradition that has evolved over time, with regulations now allowing students to wear their preference of clothing options and not specifying requirements based on gender. The tradition is an important part of the University's heritage and is respected by students, with a high turnout for the vote and an overwhelming majority in favour of keeping the tradition.

There is no dress code for tutorials, but students are advised to dress smart casual

Oxford University has a long tradition of academic dress, which continues to the present day. The University of Oxford students are expected to wear formal academic dress for university matriculation, university examinations, graduation ceremonies, and the annual Encaenia (Commemoration) ceremony. However, there is no specific dress code for tutorials. Students are advised to dress in smart casual attire for tutorials, avoiding t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, or baseball caps. Baseball caps, in particular, are considered rude and even insulting when worn indoors by the British.

The academic dress for Oxford students typically includes a gown, cap, and tie or ribbon. The specific regulations regarding gowns can differ from college to college. Gowns are commonly worn during formal dinners, major public lectures, internal examinations, academic progress reports, and disciplinary hearings.

For university ceremonies and examinations, students are required to wear "subfusc," which refers to a set of solemn and modest attire. "Subfusc" typically includes a dark suit with black socks, a dark skirt with black tights or stockings, or dark trousers with black socks or hosiery. The clothing must cover the ankles entirely, with no gaps between the bottom of the trouser or skirt and the top of the socks or stockings.

Additionally, a dark jacket, plain black shoes with dark soles, and a plain white collared shirt or blouse with sleeves are part of the "subfusc" attire. The acceptable ties include a white bow tie, black bow tie, black full-length tie, or black ribbon. The appropriate academic gown, mortarboard or soft cap, and hood (for graduates) complete the academic dress.

It is worth noting that the definition of "dark" in this context includes black, a very dark charcoal grey, or a very dark blue that is almost black. All clothing must be plain, without any pinstripes or patterns. Students from the British Armed Forces may wear their service dress under their gown instead of "subfusc," and ministers of religion can wear clerical dress.

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