The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) commencement ceremony follows time‑honored academic tradition with formal academic regalia required for graduates. According to the Berkeley Commencement FAQ, graduates must don a graduation gown, mortarboard cap, tassel, and for advanced degrees, a hood — and regalia is ordered in advance through the Cal Student Store.

Undergraduate students wear a classic black gown and mortarboard. Berkeley’s tassel policy dictates that graduates begin with the tassel on the right side and then move it to the left during the ceremony, signaling the conferral of their degree. Honor cords are available for those who graduate with distinction: according to the Engineering School’s commencement guide, students in the top **20% of their college** GPA may purchase honor cords for spring commencement.

For master’s degree candidates, their regalia includes a black gown plus a hood lined with Berkeley’s gold satin and trimmed in velvet that corresponds to the academic field. For example, Engineering master’s-level degrees use **orange velvet** for their hoods, while Master of Science degrees use **golden yellow velvet**. Masters and doctoral graduates wear tassels on the right and shift them left once their degree level is officially conferred.

Doctoral graduates (PhD) wear a distinctive doctoral gown with bell sleeves, plus an eight-sided velvet tam. Their hoods feature **PhD blue velvet** trim, and their tassel is a distinguished **gold bullion** type. The hood’s interior is lined with gold satin and a blue chevron — reflecting UC Berkeley’s colors .

Regarding honor stoles or sashes, Berkeley’s central commencement office clarifies that the university does **not provide stoles, leis, or cords** for campus‑wide ceremonies. Instead, honor or organizational cords come from departments or student groups: for undergraduate honors in Engineering, students can buy honor cords from the Cal Student Store if they meet the GPA criteria.

Faculty regalia at Berkeley includes full academic robes and hoods with velvet trim signifying their discipline. The hood interior typically displays the school’s gold satin and blue chevron pattern, reinforcing both scholarly and institutional identity.

In summary, UC Berkeley’s regalia system emphasizes academic tradition and institutional identity. Graduates wear black gowns, discipline-specific velvet-trimmed hoods, and tassels that move from right to left upon degree conferral. Honor cords are earned via departmental criteria, and faculty maintain classic robes with structured hoods. The pre‑order system ensures regalia is prepared ahead of the ceremony, helping maintain a organized and dignified commencement.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at University of California Berkeley , you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.