Graduation Hats

The graduate hat (also known as an academic cap, graduate cap, mortarboard, or trencher) is part of the formal academic attire to be worn by graduating students (graduands) during the graduation ceremony.

When you are graduating with a PhD, the cap you wear can vary from a typical tudor bonnet all the way to a doctoral tam. These special caps are reserved for PhD and doctorate recipients only. During the graduation ceremony, it is also worn by professors and academic officials in the procession. Typically, the tudor bonnet and academic tam are made with velvet material. The tudor bonnet is made in a circular design whereas the graduation tam is made in a hexagonal or octagonal shape.

The pointed tip of your cap is meant to go in the front of your head while the elastic band sit on the back of your head. The cap should be worn flat on your head and not tilted back and it should lie about one inch above your eyebrows.

Typically, your tassel will arrive attached to your mortarboard cap. If you have purchased a tassel separately then please follow the next steps. Remove your tassel from its delivery protective sleeve. Hold it up and check for any tangled strands. Slide the loop at the top of the tassel onto the button at the centre of the top of your graduation hat. Tug gently on the tassel to make sure it's firmly seated under the button. Arrange your tassel so it drapes over the right side of your graduation hat while you're wearing it. Once you have graduated, you can then move your tassel to the left-hand side of your cap.

The correct way to measure your graduation hat is to measure the circumference of your head in centimetres and then the hat should sit between 1-2cm above your ears for example if your head circumference is equal to 56 m then the Graduation Hat size is 56.