History of Academic Regalia

The gowns and hoods worn at QUT graduation ceremonies stem from a distinctive style of academic dress which emerged in the first universities in Europe in the twelfth century. The style was influenced by the fact that masters and scholars at that time were usually members of the clergy.

For example, in 1222 at the Council of Oxford, the Archbishop of Canterbury ordered English clerics to wear the cappa clausa - a closed, flowing gown based on a lay fashion of the period. As a result, this garment came to be regarded as academic dress for university masters who, as clerics, wore it. Later, when the rule became neglected by the clergy in general, the garment was recognised as an exclusively academic one.

The pileus, a common head-dress of medieval laymen, was adopted by the Church at the Synod of Bergamo (1311) and became typical head-wear at the universities. The pileus quadralus, square cap, is today's mortarboard worn by most graduates.

The hood as an academic vestment originated from the cowl worn by monks in the Middle Ages as protection against inclement European weather. It was worn over a short cape, known as a tippet, and had a tail, known as a liripipe, which was used to pull the hood over the head and wrapped around the throat to keep the hood in place. Today the tippet remains as part of the hood and, although the hood is never worn on the head, the liripipe is retained as the funnel-shaped hood.

The tradition of wearing the hood hanging down the back is said to be derived from the practice of medieval monks, many of whom were solicitors in the King's Court, who used the bag-like hanging hood as a 'contribution bowl' for clients and well wishers.

Colours have long been significant in denoting different academic disciplines and more recently, levels of scholastic achievement. Standard gowns of different shape, length and sleeve design indicate the degrees of Bachelor, Master and Doctorate. The robes of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor signify the office rather than the award of the wearer.