University of the Arts London graduation gowns

Graduation at University of the Arts London is one of those moments that lands differently. You’ve spent months (or years) making work, refining it, scrapping it, remaking it, then suddenly it’s ceremony day and you’re expected to look polished, on time, and photogenic. No pressure, right?

If you’re searching for University of the Arts London graduation gowns, you’re probably in one of two headspaces:

1. You’re organised and ticking boxes.

2. You’re five tabs deep and slightly stressed.

Both are normal. Either way, this page is here to get your graduation gown sorted with minimal fuss, and without any of that confusing, ceremonial jargon that makes everything feel harder than it is.

The big decision: hire or buy?

Let’s keep it real. Most people just want the correct graduation gowns and a smooth experience.

Option 1: UAL gown hire

If you want to wear your graduation gown on the day and return it afterwards, go with UAL gown hire.

Hiring makes sense if:

• You want the most cost-friendly route

• You don’t want to store anything after the ceremony

• You’re travelling or moving soon (classic London timing)

• You just want it done, worn, returned

It’s the “borrow it, look great, send it back” approach. Low admin, high sanity.

Option 2: buy UAL graduation gown

If you want to keep your set, choose buy UAL graduation gown.

Buying suits you if:

• You want it as a keepsake

• You’re planning extra photos with family or friends later

• You prefer owning your own outfit, start to finish

• You want zero returns admin after a long day

Here’s the mild contradiction: buying can feel like “more”, but it can also feel simpler. Once it arrives, it’s yours. No return label to think about while you’re celebrating.

What’s actually in a graduation set?

People use different language for the same thing. A lot of graduates search “cap and gown”, others say “robes”, others say “full set”. The core idea is the same.

A standard set usually includes:

• The graduation gown

• A hood (depending on your award and ceremony requirements)

• A cap (often a mortarboard)

If you’ve been told you need “robes”, that’s exactly what this is. If you’ve searched UAL graduation robes, you’re still aiming for the right graduation gown and the correct pieces to match it.

The classic “oops” list (so you don’t join it)

You know what catches people out?

• They order the graduation gown and forget the cap

• They assume they don’t need a hood, then realise they do

• They don’t try anything on until the night before

• They wear something underneath that looks great… but feels awful when sitting down

A quick try-on when your graduation gown arrives fixes most of this. Ten minutes, done.

“How do I make sure it’s the right gown?”

This is the part where people overthink. Understandably.

The safest approach is to match your order to what your graduation instructions say. Not what a friend says. Not what someone on TikTok wore last year. Your ceremony guide wins.

A simple checklist:

• Confirm your award level (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral)

• Check your ceremony info for any specific notes

• Order your graduation gowns based on that, not assumptions

If your instructions are short and vague (it happens), don’t panic. Stick with the official wording and you’ll be in the right lane.

Need individual items instead of a full set?

Totally normal. Some people borrow a cap. Some people already have part of the outfit. Some people realise late they need one missing piece.

That’s where University of the Arts London cap and gown comes in.

Use University of the Arts London cap and gown if:

• You only need a cap or hood

• You’re replacing one item

• You want flexibility rather than a full bundle

Honestly, this is often the fastest way to solve a problem without spending money on things you don’t need.

Sizing and fit (without making it a whole thing)

Graduation outfits aren’t meant to fit like streetwear or tailoring. They’re ceremonial garments, designed to sit well, drape nicely, and look consistent across a big group of graduates.

A good-fitting graduation gown should:

• Sit comfortably on the shoulders

• Allow movement for walking, sitting, and stairs

• Fall to an appropriate length based on your height

If you’re between sizes, comfort usually wins. You want to forget about your graduation gown once you’re in it. That’s the real sign it’s right.

Delivery, timing, and the “who’s paying?” factor

Graduation planning tends to happen in bursts. One day you’re calm, then you get an email with a deadline and suddenly you’re in spreadsheet mode.

Ordering earlier means:

• You can try on your graduation gown at home

• You can check you’ve got all the pieces

• You avoid last-minute panic

• Parents and partners (often the buyers) feel reassured

That last point matters more than people admit. If someone else is paying, they usually care about one thing: that everything arrives on time and the process is clear.

If you’re short on time, keep it simple:

• Choose hire or buy

• Get the main set first

• Do a try-on as soon as it arrives

What to wear underneath (UAL edition)

Here’s the fun part. UAL grads know how to style. But ceremony day has its own vibe. You want to look like you, but still feel comfortable when you’re sitting for ages, walking across a stage, and hugging everyone in sight.

Good under-gown options:

• A dress that doesn’t bunch up (smooth fabric helps)

• A shirt and trousers combo that’s comfortable at the waist

• Shoes you can stand in for longer than 20 minutes

Small detail that makes a big difference: avoid bulky jackets under the graduation gown. It can feel tight and look lumpy in photos.

Photo tips (because you’ll look back at these)

Graduation photos are basically a mini campaign shoot, just with more relatives and less control.

Quick wins:

• Hang your graduation gown up when it arrives

• Do one test photo at home (front, side, back)

• Check the hood sits flat and isn’t twisted

• If you’re wearing a cap, secure it properly (London wind is not your mate)

And yeah, take a few “serious” photos, but also take the goofy ones. They’re usually the favourites later.

FAQs

What are University of the Arts London graduation gowns?

They’re the academic dress outfits worn for UAL graduation ceremonies, built around the correct graduation gown, plus any required hood and cap.

Can I hire my outfit?

Yes. Choose UAL gown hire for a wear-and-return option.

Can I buy my outfit?

Yes. Choose buy UAL graduation gown if you want to keep your set.

I only need one item. Where do I go?

Use University of the Arts London cap and gown for individual items.

Are “robes” the same as a gown?

Most people mean the same thing. If you searched UAL graduation robes, you’re still looking for the correct graduation gowns and matching pieces for the ceremony.

Ready to sort it?

If you’re looking for University of the Arts London graduation gowns, the clean next step is simple:

• Go with UAL gown hire if you want to wear and return

• Go with buy UAL graduation gown if you want to keep it

Need one missing piece? Head straight to University of the Arts London cap and gown.

Get the graduation gown ticked off early, and you’ll actually have space to enjoy the day.