Oxford University Graduations and Martriculations

 

 

Ultimate Guide to Oxford University Graduations and Matriculation Ceremonies

 

If you’re lucky, your trip to Oxford will coincide with a matriculation or graduation ceremony. Matriculations – essentially a ceremony in which new students are enrolled in the University – tend to occur in early October, whilst graduations happen throughout the year.

For both ceremonies students are required to wear ‘sub fusc’, a traditional kind of formal dress. In Latin the name ‘sub fusc’ means something like “below dark”, but practically what we’re talking about here is Harry Potter clothes. Matriculating students will wear a dark suit or skirt with a white shirt, completed with a ribbon or white bow tie and, of course, a gown.

Students will gather inside the Sheldonian Theatre for a ceremony conducted entirely in Latin, before leaving an hour later as official members of the university. After they graduate the same process will occur, and when they leave the doors of the Sheldonian they will officially have left the university.

The one negative is that these events can cause site closures around Oxford. However, if your visiting, take one of our tours, and you will be sure to see the best the city has to offer on your day of visit!

 

Throughout The Year

 

 

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