Canterbury Christ Church University Graduation Gown Guide

Introduction

Graduation at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is a proud moment, held in the historic Canterbury Cathedral - one of the most beautiful ceremony venues in the UK. To join the procession and receive your award, every student must wear the correct Canterbury Christ Church graduation gown, along with the official hood and mortarboard. Without the right attire, you won’t be permitted to take part in the ceremony.

This guide explains everything you need to know about graduation gown hire and purchase at CCCU, from official dress code details to hire vs. buy options, garment specifications, and the benefits of ordering with Churchill Gowns.

Key Points

• All CCCU graduates must wear the official gown, hood, and mortarboard to participate in the ceremony.
• The Canterbury Christ Church graduation gown follows a traditional design, with hoods in cardinal red and purple.
• Ceremonies are held in Canterbury Cathedral, with sessions in September–November and January–March.
• Students can hire a graduation gown for £34 or purchase a full set for £94, with group discounts available.
• Churchill Gowns offers home delivery, five-day hire windows, and sustainable, high-quality garments that conform to CCCU’s academic dress code.

Academic Dress at Canterbury Christ Church University

CCCU academic dress is rooted in tradition. Every graduate is required to wear:

• A black academic gown
• A mortarboard cap
• A degree-specific Canterbury Christ Church graduation gown hood in cardinal red and purple

The colour scheme reflects the university’s official brand identity, combining deep red and purple for a distinctive and instantly recognisable look. Since Canterbury Christ Church became a university in 1995, these colours have remained the hallmark of its graduation robes.

Gown and Hood Designs at CCCU

The design of your university gown depends on your level of study, with differences in hood shape and lining.

Bachelor’s Gown and Hood

• Gown: Traditional black bachelor’s gown in the B1 style, widely used across UK universities.
• Hood: Square-shaped, lined with cardinal red and purple to reflect CCCU’s colours.
• Cap: Classic black mortarboard with secure fit.

Master’s Gown and Hood

• Gown: Black master’s gown with a distinctive sleeve cut, creating a more formal silhouette.
• Hood: Triangular in shape, lined with cardinal red and purple, giving a bold finish.
• Cap: Traditional mortarboard with ribbon trim and flexible sizing.

Doctoral Regalia

Doctoral graduation robes are more ornate, with unique cuts and colours. These can be custom-ordered through Churchill Gowns’ bespoke service to ensure conformity with CCCU’s requirements.

Hire vs. Purchase Options for CCCU Students

One of the biggest decisions for graduates is whether to hire a Canterbury Christ Church graduation gown or buy one to keep.

Affordable Hire Option

For just £34, you can hire a full CCCU set (gown, hood, and cap). Hires are delivered to your door at least two days before the ceremony and come with a five-day hire window, giving you time for rehearsals, photos, and celebrations. Returns are simple with a prepaid label.

Purchase to Keep Forever

If you want to treasure your graduation gown as a keepsake or plan to use it for future academic or professional events, purchasing is a smart choice. Churchill Gowns offers the full set for £94, providing excellent value compared to traditional suppliers.

Group Discounts Available

Graduating with friends? Group orders unlock further discounts, making academic gown hire or purchase even more affordable.

Ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral

Graduating from CCCU is a truly memorable experience, as ceremonies take place in Canterbury Cathedral, a historic landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sessions are held twice a year, from September to November and January to March. Each student is entitled to two guest tickets, ensuring your loved ones can share in the moment.

Quality and Sustainability You Can Trust

Every Canterbury Christ Church graduation gown from Churchill Gowns is designed for comfort, tradition, and responsibility.

Fabric Accuracy

We meticulously match gown fabrics to CCCU’s official colours and finishes, ensuring you blend seamlessly with other graduates.

Recycled Materials

Each gown is made from 70% recycled polyester manufactured from plastic waste, blended with 30% viscose for softness. Every gown contains at least 550g of recycled plastic waste, the equivalent of at least 28 plastic bottles.

Comfortable Mortarboards

Our mortarboards are made from soft black felt with a ribbon finish and secure-fit elastic, ensuring they stay in place throughout the day.

Why Choose Churchill Gowns for CCCU?

At Churchill Gowns, we make graduation day stress-free. Our graduation robe hire service delivers your outfit early, offers a generous five-day hire period, and provides UK-wide tracked delivery. You’ll avoid long queues at the venue and arrive fully prepared. With over 1,900 graduates rating us 4.7 stars on Trustpilot, we’re trusted nationwide to deliver quality, affordability, and ceremony-ready style.

Conclusion

Your Canterbury Christ Church graduation gown is an essential part of your big day - without it, you can’t take part in the procession or receive your award. Whether you decide to hire your graduation gown for £34 or purchase a full set for £94, Churchill Gowns ensures your attire conforms to CCCU’s academic dress code, is delivered early, and fits comfortably. With the right graduation robes, you can walk confidently into Canterbury Cathedral knowing you look every bit the graduate you’ve worked so hard to become.

Churchill Gowns is not associated with and does not represent Canterbury Christ Church University in any way. All gowns, hoods, and mortarboards are designed to match the official dress code and are appropriate for use at CCCU ceremonies.

 

FAQs

Q1: How does gown hire work for Canterbury Christ Church University?

Select your ceremony date and delivery address at checkout. Your gown will arrive at least two days before your ceremony, and you’ll have five days to keep it before returning with a prepaid label.

Q2: Are Churchill Gowns’ outfits suitable for CCCU ceremonies?

Yes, while not officially affiliated, our gowns, hoods, and caps are carefully designed to conform to CCCU’s academic dress code and are appropriate for use at Canterbury Cathedral ceremonies.

Q3: Can I hire a CCCU graduation gown if I’m celebrating at home?

Absolutely. Many graduates hire Canterbury Christ Church graduation gowns for private celebrations, parties, or professional photography.

Q4: What’s included in the hire or purchase package?

Each set includes a black gown, a Canterbury Christ Church hood in cardinal red and purple, and a traditional mortarboard cap.

Q5: When should I order my CCCU graduation gown?

We recommend ordering 2–3 months in advance of your ceremony to guarantee availability. For last-minute needs, express delivery options are available if stock permits.