The current academic dress of the National University of Ireland was simplified following a review in 1999.[1] The design of the gowns generally follows that of Oxford. The hoods are primarily green, representing Ireland, and generally follow the design of Dublin or Belfast.[2]
Academic dress is currently worn during formal occasions such as conferring ceremonies at the constituent universities and recognised colleges, except for University College Dublin,[3] where the traditional academic dress was removed in 2013 in favour of a more simple design.
The faculty colours form an important part of the academic dress of the University, and distinguish graduates from different disciplines. In addition to the colours below, blue is used to represent Arts in the lining of the MA hood, as otherwise it would be the same as that of the DLitt. It is also used for non-degree qualifications in Arts. The Maroon Colour is used to represent philosophy in a general sense in the PhD gowns, and does not represent the academic field of philosophy.
| Faculty | Colour | Sample | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts | White | ||
| Fine Arts | Brown | ||
| Music | Coral Pink | ||
| Philosophy | Maroon | ||
| Celtic Studies | Saffron | ||
| Human Sciences, Social Science | Fawn | ||
| Science | St Patrick's Blue | ||
| Agriculture | Light Green | ||
| Commerce | Strawberry | ||
| Engineering | Terracotta | ||
| Architecture | Gold | ||
| Food Science and Technology | Orange | ||
| Law | Prune | ||
| Medicine and Related Sciences | Scarlet | ||
| Dentistry | Silver Grey | ||
| Pharmacy | Crimson | ||
| Nursing and Midwifery | Lilac | ||
| Veterinary Medicine | Celtic Blue |
After the names of the components, the number associated with the Groves classification system is given in square brackets.[4]
There are two types of Doctoral gowns. The undress gown is used for ordinary occasions and the full dress gown is for formal and ceremonial occasions. The undress gown is as the Master's gown. The specifications below are for full dress.
| Degree | Gown |
|---|---|
| Higher Doctors | A scarlet Oxford-style doctorate gown [d2] with bell-shaped sleeves, faced down each side and with cuffs of faculty colour. |
| PhD and Specialist Doctors | A Scarlet Oxford-style gown of the Master’s shape [m1]. |
| Masters and Bachelors of Laws | A black stuff gown of Oxford MA pattern [m1]. |
| Bachelors | A stuff gown, of the basic pattern [b1]. |
| Qualification | Gown |
| Postgraduate and Higher Diplomas | As for bachelors [b1]. |
| Diplomas | A Black sleeveless gown of the Dublin undergraduate pattern, without streamers [u8]. |
| Certificates | As for diplomas [u8] |
An exception to the below specifications is the MA hood, which, although not designated as one of the NUI faculty colours, is lined in blue in order to distinguish it from the DLitt hood. Blue is now also used for the lining of Postgraduate/Higher Diploma, Diploma and Certificate hoods for the faculties of Arts.
| Degree | Hood |
|---|---|
| Higher Doctors | A green hood of Dublin full shape [f2], lined and bound 1" with the faculty colour. |
| PhD and Specialist Doctors | A green hood of Dublin full shape [f2], lined Maroon and bound 3" inside and 1" outside with the faculty colour. |
| Masters and Bachelors of Laws | A green hood of Dublin full shape [f2], lined White and bound 3" inside and 1" outside with the faculty colour. |
| Bachelors | A green hood of Belfast simple shape [s3], lined with the faculty colour. |
| Qualification | Hood |
| Postgraduate and Higher Diplomas | A green hood of Belfast simple shape [s3] without a liripipe, lined White and bordered inside on all edges with the faculty colour. |
| Diplomas | A green hood of Belfast simple shape [s3] without a liripipe, lined in White and bordered inside on all edges with the faculty colour |
| Certificates | A green hood of Belfast simple shape [s3] without a liripipe, lined with the faculty colour. |
Doctors in full dress wear black velvet caps of the doctoral bonnet shape [h2], with cords and tassels gold for higher doctors and of the faculty colour for PhDs and professional doctors. Other graduates and doctors in undress may wear a black mortar board [h1].
The Chancellor wears a traditional court style gown with inverted 'T' sleeve openings.
The Vice-Chancellor has a similar gown, without the square collar, so the style of the University's gown for the Degree of Doctor
Similar to the Vice-Chancellor's gown.
Similar to the Vice-Chancellor's gown, but with smaller and shorter sleeves.
The unique scheme for University College Dublin removes the faculty colours and has only one hood, gown and cap for each level of degree. It departs from tradition by having a doctoral gown that is not scarlet.[5]
| Degree | Gown |
|---|---|
| Doctors | St Patrick's blue gown with closed sleeves with Saffron facings and Celtic Blue trim. |
| Masters | Plain black, full-length gown with closed sleeves. |
| Bachelors | Plain black, full-length gown with bell shaped sleeves. |
| Degree | Hood |
|---|---|
| Doctors | Saffron London full shaped hood and neckband [f3], Celtic Blue lining and St Patrick's Blue trim. |
| Masters | St Patrick's Blue London full shaped hood and neckband [f3], Celtic Blue lining and Saffron trim. |
| Bachelors | St Patrick's Blue CNAA shaped hood [a1], Saffron lining and Celtic Blue trim. |
Doctors wear black velvet caps of the doctoral bonnet shape [h2], with gold cord and tassel. Other graduates may wear a black mortar board [h1].