Lincoln University Academic Dress Guidelines
Graduates at Lincoln University are expected to wear a graduation gown, hood, and mortarboard during their ceremony. The colour scheme reflects the university’s blue and yellow branding remains largely consistent since the first Lincoln graduations in 1992.
We offer a full range of Lincoln University academic dress, tailored by degree level:
Bachelors Degrees
- Gown: Black, in the standard B1 bachelor’s gown pattern. The style traditionally used for undergraduate ceremonies at Lincoln University.
- Hood: Lined with blue satin and trimmed with yellow ribbon. Square shape with black backing.
- Hat: Traditional black cloth mortarboard.
Masters Degrees
- Gown: Black master’s gown with distinctive sleeve cut, the most widely used master’s gown pattern in the UK.
- Hood: Lined with blue satin, trimmed with yellow ribbon. Triangular shape with dark blue backing.
- Hat: Traditional black cloth mortarboard.
Doctoral Regalia (PhD)
Doctoral regalia may be custom-ordered or purchased through our bespoke service. Please contact us directly with your requirements, and we’ll advise on available options for your PhD academic regalia for Lincoln University.
Each graduation outfit includes one gown, a Lincoln-specific hood, and a mortarboard, all of which are appropriate for use at Lincoln University graduation ceremonies.
Sustainable, Affordable, & Ceremony-Ready
Our Lincoln University graduation sets are built around three key values:
- Sustainability: Every gown is made from 70% recycled polyester, equivalent to saving 28 plastic bottles per gown.
- Affordability: Lower prices than traditional providers, with the same high-quality fabrics and construction.
- Convenience: All items are delivered to your door ahead of your ceremony, skip the queues and celebrate stress-free.
Product Quality & Garment Specifications
We go the extra mile to ensure that our Lincoln University regalia matches expectations in every way:
- Colour-Matched Hoods: Custom dyed to match Lincoln’s official academic dress colours.
- Soft Finish Gowns: Made from 70% recycled polyester and 30% viscose for comfort and durability.
- Comfortable Mortarboards: Soft black felt, flexible sizing, and secure fit for all head shapes.
Churchill Gowns is not affiliated with or endorsed by Lincoln University. All garments are made to conform to university dress codes and are suitable for UK university graduation ceremonies.
Ready to Hire or Buy?
Explore our range of Lincoln University graduation gowns and choose the set that matches your qualification. Whether you’re celebrating at the cathedral, at home with family, or taking professional photos, Churchill Gowns ensures you look the part, without overspending.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lincoln University Graduation Gowns
1. How does the Lincoln University gown hire process work?
When hiring a Lincoln University graduation gown, simply select your ceremony date and delivery address during checkout. Your regalia will arrive at least two days before your ceremony, and you’ll have two working days afterwards to return it using the prepaid label provided.
2. Do your gowns and mortarboards match the Lincoln University style?
Yes. Our Lincoln University academic dress is designed to conform to university dress codes. Our hoods, gowns, and mortarboards closely match those of other suppliers in both colour and style.
3. Can I rent a Lincoln University graduation outfit if I’m not attending the ceremony?
Absolutely. Many students rent Lincoln University graduation outfits for at-home celebrations or photography. You’ll just enter your preferred hire date at checkout and we’ll deliver it directly to you.
4. What’s included in the Lincoln University graduation set?
Each set includes a Lincoln-specific gown, mortarboard, and academic hood, all matched to your degree level.
5. Can I buy my Lincoln University graduation gown instead of hiring?
Yes. You can choose to hire or purchase your Lincoln University cap and gown, depending on whether you'd like to keep it as a keepsake or opt for a cost-effective rental.
6. When should I order my Lincoln University regalia?
To guarantee availability, we recommend ordering 2–3 months in advance of your ceremony. Express delivery is also available for last-minute orders if stock permits.
7. Where will my Lincoln University gown be delivered?
All regalia is shipped via Royal Mail tracked services. You can enter any UK delivery address, including a hotel or friend’s home, perfect for international graduates attending from abroad.
8. What if I can’t find the hood for my Lincoln degree?
We stock hoods for most Lincoln qualifications. If we don’t yet carry yours, we may be able to custom-make it or suggest flexible options, get in touch with our team.
9. What if my Lincoln University gown doesn’t fit properly?
Our academic gowns are designed to be loose-fitting. However, if the sizing isn’t right, you can request a free size exchange, just cover the cost of return shipping.
10. Why are your Lincoln University graduation outfits more affordable?
We operate a lean, direct-to-student model with no university commissions or ceremony-day presence. This lets us offer Lincoln University graduation outfits at a fraction of traditional supplier pricing, with no compromise on quality.
That Lincoln cathedral skyline and your gown
If you are graduating at Lincoln University, you already know the setting is something special. The cathedral, the hill, the cobbles, the photos on the Brayford. It is the kind of backdrop that ends up all over your feed and on your parents' mantelpiece for years.
Right in the middle of all that is your outfit. Your Graduation gown, hood and cap are in every photo, every video and every proud post. Get that part right and you can relax into the day. Get it wrong and you will be tugging at fabric or worrying about whether your hood looks out of place instead of focusing on the moment.
You know what? For a lot of students, the day the parcel with their University of Lincoln graduation gowns arrives is when it finally feels real. You try on the outfit in your room, look in the mirror, and suddenly everything from first year nerves to final year deadlines lines up into one simple thought: you did it. Churchill Gowns is set up to make that moment easy, clear and stress free.
Are you allowed to choose your own supplier?
Short answer, yes. If you are wondering whether you can use Churchill Gowns instead of the supplier recommended by Lincoln University, you are absolutely allowed to.
Here is the thing. When the university suggests a company, it is guidance, not a legal rule. On the day, what matters is that your University of Lincoln graduation gowns follow the correct academic style for your award and that your outfit looks in line with everyone else in your cohort. Staff are focused on timings, ceremony flow and making sure the day runs smoothly. They are not checking which website you ordered from.
So if you would rather order your Graduation gown online, get it delivered to your door, and avoid queues in a crowded fitting hall, you can. Choosing University of Lincoln gown hire or a purchase set from Churchill Gowns is a valid, straightforward option.
Matching the look of official Lincoln University graduation robes
Of course, you cannot just grab any black robe and hope for the best. Lincoln University graduation robes follow academic traditions around shape, length, and hood design. That is why your photos look so impressive when everyone is dressed correctly.
Churchill Gowns designs University of Lincoln graduation gowns to be compatible with the official style. The aim is simple. When you stand in a line with your classmates, your outfit blends in perfectly. That includes:
So when your name is called, your Graduation gowns look right under the stage lights and in the photos that follow you around for years.
Hire or buy - which route should you take?
Once you know you can use Churchill Gowns for your University of Lincoln graduation gowns, the next decision is easy to recognise but harder to choose. Do you go for University of Lincoln gown hire or buy University of Lincoln graduation gown?
Both options are solid. It really depends how you see the outfit in your life after the ceremony.
When University of Lincoln gown hire makes sense
University of Lincoln gown hire is ideal if you:
- Want to keep the upfront cost as low as possible
- Only plan to wear a Graduation gown once
- Do not want to store Graduation gowns after the day
- Prefer a simple use-and-return process
You order ahead of time, the set arrives, you wear it for the ceremony and the photos, then send it back following the return instructions. No fighting through last minute queues, no worrying if they have your size left, and no need to carry it around for hours before your slot.
When buying your gown is the better call
Choosing to buy University of Lincoln graduation gown can be a better fit if you:
- Want a physical reminder of your time at Lincoln University
- Expect to attend other academic events or future graduations where you may need a Graduation gown
- Like the idea of lending your set to friends or family who study at the same institution
There is something surprisingly emotional about seeing your own Graduation gowns hanging in a wardrobe years later. It is a snapshot of who you were at that moment, just as much as any photo.
What is included in a typical Lincoln gown set?
Knowing what you are ordering helps you feel in control. A standard set of University of Lincoln graduation gowns from Churchill Gowns usually includes:
If you already have part of your outfit, or you are replacing a missing item, you do not have to buy everything again. You can pick up individual pieces through the Lincoln Uni cap and gown range instead of a full package. That works well if, for example, a friend lends you a Graduation gown and you just need the correct hood.
Getting the right size so you can actually move
A big worry for many people is sizing. It is completely normal to ask whether a Graduation gown ordered online will feel comfortable and look right. The good news is that academic gowns are designed to drape and flow rather than cling, which gives you more flexibility than tailored jackets or dresses.
When you order your University of Lincoln graduation gowns from Churchill Gowns, you choose your size mainly by height, with extra guidance where clothing size or build matters. The goal is to make sure:
- The hem of your Graduation gown sits at a practical, flattering length
- The shoulders and chest let you move easily, walk up steps and sit for the ceremony
- Your hood and cap sit correctly in relation to the gown
Honestly, the best test is to try on your full outfit at home as soon as it arrives. Put on what you plan to wear underneath, add your Lincoln University graduation robes, walk around, sit down, and practise the classic walk-and-handshake. If it feels comfortable there, it will feel comfortable on stage.
What to wear under your gown without overthinking it
This is the question that fills group chats. Under your Graduation gowns, do you wear a full suit, a dress, something more relaxed, or a mix of both?
Let me explain. There is no single right answer, but there are a few guidelines that help:
- Aim for smart but still you. Think along the lines of a job interview or important presentation.
- Solid colours often sit better under your Graduation gown and hood than very busy prints, especially in big group photos.
- Try on your planned outfit with the gown and hood to check necklines and collars work nicely together.
- Choose shoes you can walk, stand and climb steps in. The ceremony will involve queues and a lot of standing around between hugs, photos and chatting.
If you do not usually dress up, do not panic. The gown does a lot of the visual heavy lifting. Your goal is to feel polished but still like yourself, not like you are in costume.
Taming the cap and hood for photos
The robe behaves pretty well once it is on. The cap and hood, on the other hand, can be a little chaotic until you get the hang of them. That is where having your Lincoln Uni cap and gown ahead of time really helps.
A few practical tips:
- Use hair grips or clips to keep the cap secure if your hairstyle allows
- Wear the cap level rather than tipped too far back
- Ask a friend to check your hood sits evenly before official photos and just before you go on stage
- Straighten everything after you put on your Lincoln University graduation robes and again after hugs or coat changes
A couple of minutes of practice in front of a mirror at home can save ten minutes of fussing in the middle of a crowded hall.
How to order University of Lincoln graduation gowns online
The actual ordering process for your University of Lincoln graduation gowns is designed to be simple, even if you are juggling revision, shifts, or moving house. A typical flow looks like this:
- Head to the main Lincoln University page on Churchill Gowns.
- Decide if you prefer University of Lincoln gown hire or to buy University of Lincoln graduation gown.
- Choose your award level so you get the correct style of Graduation gowns.
- Use the size guide to pick your Graduation gown based on your height and general build.
- Add any extras or replacements from the Lincoln Uni cap and gown section if you need them.
- Check delivery timings, confirm your address, and complete checkout.
After that, it is mainly a case of keeping an eye on your parcel tracking, trying on your full outfit when it arrives, and mentally ticking "sort gown" off your graduation to do list.
Timelines, deadlines and dealing with last minute orders
Not everyone orders early. In fact, many students organise their University of Lincoln graduation gowns somewhere between three and six weeks before the ceremony. Some leave it later. Life happens, coursework gets intense, and graduation admin slides down the list.
To keep things as calm as possible:
- Check the delivery estimates on the University of Lincoln gown hire and purchase pages
- Aim for enough time between delivery and the ceremony to try on your Graduation gowns and sort any tweaks
- Think about where you will be living when the parcel arrives, especially if you are moving out of halls or a student house
If you are naturally a last minute organiser, that is fine. Just pay extra attention to the shipping information and cut off dates. Knowing what is realistic takes away a lot of the background stress.
A quick note for parents, carers and supporters
If you are a parent, carer, partner or relative helping to sort or pay for Graduation gowns, you probably care about clear information and a reliable process more than anything else.
Churchill Gowns makes it straightforward to:
One useful conversation to have with your graduate is whether they want a keepsake Graduation gown to keep long term, or whether a hire option for the day is all they need. Their answer usually points clearly to the right choice.
Ceremony day checklist for Lincoln University graduation robes
On the day itself, you do not want to spend energy worrying about fabric. A simple checklist for your Lincoln University graduation robes can help:
- Hang your Graduation gown up the night before so most creases drop out
- Lay out your hood and cap from the Lincoln Uni cap and gown section where you will see them before you leave
- Pack a couple of safety pins or hair grips for quick fixes
- Plan enough time to get dressed calmly, help friends with their hoods, and grab some pre ceremony photos
Take a final look in the mirror. If your Graduation gowns sit neatly, you can move freely, and your hood and cap feel secure, you are ready. From that point on, the day is about celebrating, not adjusting your outfit.
Stepping into your next chapter
In the end, your University of Lincoln graduation gowns are more than fabric. They stand for late nights in the library, practicals, placements, part time work, group projects and every small decision that got you to this moment.
By choosing Churchill Gowns, you can order Graduation gowns that match Lincoln University graduation robes, decide between University of Lincoln gown hire and the option to buy University of Lincoln graduation gown, and add flexible pieces from the Lincoln Uni cap and gown range if you need them.
So when you walk out into the cathedral quarter or along the Brayford in your Graduation gown, you can feel confident that the outfit is sorted. The focus can be where it should be: on your name being called, the people cheering for you, and the start of whatever comes next.