University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign commencement ceremony is a formal academic event in which degrees are conferred and graduates and faculty wear the prescribed academic regalia. Graduates wear the official academic regalia custom to the campus, featuring the distinctive blue graduation gown and mortarboard graduation cap.

For bachelor’s candidates the regalia includes a blue gown, mortarboard cap, stole and tassel. The tassel is worn on the right front quadrant of the mortarboard at the beginning of the ceremony, and then moved to the left after the degree has been conferred. The tassel colour corresponds to the student’s field of study, according to discipline-codes (for example: Engineering orange, Liberal Arts white, Business drab).

For master’s and doctoral graduates the academic regalia includes the gown, hood and tassel (and mortarboard or tam), with the velvet hood trim and tassel colour indicating discipline and degree level. The tassel for master’s and doctoral candidates is black, and the hood’s velvet border denotes the specific field of study.

Additional regalia items include honor cords or braided cords awarded to recipients of special honours – for example the Bronze Tablet recipients wear an orange and blue braided cord on the left shoulder. The university also prohibits oversized props or decorations on the gown or cap (such as large signage or flags) in the commencement ceremony.

The commencement tradition emphasises uniformity and dignity: the graduation gown should be worn properly (steamed not ironed) and the mortarboard exactly horizontal. Women should keep the cap on throughout the ceremony; men remove the cap only during the National Anthem.

In short, the University of Illinois uses a classic academic regalia scheme of blue gowns and mortarboards, colored tassels and stoles according to discipline, and hoods for graduate degrees, all contributing to a cohesive, respectful commencement ceremony setting.

UIUC Custom Academic Regalia – Campus of Applied Sciences & Technology

Celebrate your graduation with the signature University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign academic regalia, featuring the iconic blue graduation gown, matching mortarboard cap, and discipline-specific tassels and hoods.

Bachelor’s Regalia (Applied Sciences & Technology): Blue gown + mortarboard, discipline-colored tassel (maize/gold for Applied Sciences & Technology).
Master’s Regalia: Blue gown, black tassel, hood lined with UIUC orange & blue, velvet trim in maize for Applied Sciences & Technology.
Doctoral Regalia: Blue and velvet-faced doctoral gown, three velvet sleeve bars, black tassel, hood with velvet trim in maize and orange-blue lining.
Honor Cords & Stoles: Recognize academic achievement with braided orange-and-blue Bronze Tablet cords; additional stoles available per honor society or college.
Faculty Regalia: Custom gowns with velvet panels and hoods lined in the university’s colors — blue with orange & blue lining.
Other Discipline Colors: UIUC follows a standard color scheme for academic regalia by field: Applied Health Sciences (sage green), Engineering (orange), Fine & Applied Arts (brown), and more.

All regalia is rented or purchased via Herff Jones, the only authorized provider for UIUC commencement. Return policies apply.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at university of illinois urbana–champaign , 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.