Gown Hire (Academic Dress)
Who can hire a gown?
Gowns are available to eligible Higher Education awards only (as defined by the awarding body). If your award isn’t on the list below, gown hire is not available for your course.
Eligible awards for gown hire:
- Higher National Certificates (HNCs)
- Higher National Diplomas (HNDs)
- Certificates of Higher Education (Cert HE)
- Diplomas of Higher Education (Dip HE)
- Undergraduate degrees — BA, BSc, BEng (including Honours)
- Postgraduate Certificates (PGCert), including Teaching Qualification (Further Education)
- Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDip)
- Masters degrees — MA, MSc, MRes, MLitt, MEd
- Research degrees — MPhil, PhD, Doctorate in Professional Practice (if applicable)
The following qualifications are eligible for gown hire at the specified SCQF levels only:
- Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) - only at SCQF level 8 and above
- Professional Development Awards (PDAs) - only at SCQF level 7 and above
- Continuing Professional Development Awards (CPD)- only at SCQF level 8 and above, including:
- COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate SCQF level 8
- AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) SCQF Level 8
- CPD Leading & Managing Care Services (SCQF level 9)
If you’re unsure, or your award isn’t listed, please contact orkneygraduation@uhi.ac.uk before ordering.
Not eligible for a gown? You still belong here.
Many of our graduands do not wear academic dress. You are just as much a part of the celebration, and we can’t wait to cheer you on. Please follow our Dress Code to keep the day looking and feeling special, and enjoy every moment.
How to order your gown (Ede & Ravenscroft)
Our official supplier is Ede & Ravenscroft. Ordering is quick and simple:
- Enter the Institute name: UHI Orkney
- Select your award/degree from the list
- Confirm your selection
- Choose your gown for hire and complete the required details
- Proceed to checkout and make payment
Tip: If your award doesn’t appear in the supplier list, it usually means it isn’t eligible for academic dress. Please email orkneygraduation@uhi.ac.uk before proceeding.
Collection on the day
- Where: UHI Orkney Main Campus, East Road, Kirkwall KW15 1LX
- When: Collection times will be published in the Order of Ceremonies. (tbc)
- Assistance: Staff will be on hand to help you locate your gown and assist with fitting.
- Name tag: Please do not remove the name tag from your gown
Where delivery timings allow, gowns may also be available for collection the day before the ceremony. We’ll confirm this in this year's order of ceremonies if applicable
Returning your gown
All hired gowns must be returned, but you have a few options for when and where to do this. Many graduates choose to hand theirs back on the day, but if you’d like to hold onto it a little longer for family photos or celebrations, you have until 4.00pm on Monday after Graduation (24 November) to return it.
You can return your gown at the Cathedral before you leave, at the Reception, or drop it off at UHI Orkney the following Monday. Please make sure your name tag is still attached so we can check it back in easily.
If you miss the Monday deadline, you will need to arrange the return directly with the supplier, Ede & Ravenscroft.