Yes, you must wear the correct academic dress for your award if you attend the graduation ceremony.
The University has appointed Ede & Ravenscroft as our preferred gown supplier.
It is recommended that you hire your gown, hood and mortarboard/cap through them to ensure exact colour matching and design.
If you hire or purchase your gown from another source, you must ensure that is the correct colour, design, and style for your level of award. If it is not, you will not be permitted to attend your ceremony.
Please order your gown by Monday, 24 November 2025. You should also bring your confirmation details with you on the day.
When booking your gown you will need the following details:
Please see Ede & Ravenscroft for booking and all related information.
The cost of online gown hire from Ede & Ravenscroft is £43 for a Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor or Master's gown and £57 for a Doctoral gown.
If you forget to pre-order your gown, the hire cost on the day will be higher than the prices above.
Ede & Ravenscroft will be at your graduation ceremony in University Place (37 on the campus map) for you to collect your gown. Your gown will need to be returned here after your ceremony and before you leave campus.
It is expected that everyone will dress formally, as is appropriate to the occasion. Your clothes are still clearly visible under your gown - most importantly, we want you to be comfortable. On the day you may also find it useful to bring a couple of safety pins and hair grips to help secure your gown, hood and mortarboard.
In addition, it is advisable to dress for cold weather at our December ceremonies and keep an eye on the weather around the date of your ceremony to dress accordingly.
Gowns will be available to hire on the day, but at an additional cost. Please bring a card for payment and arrive early (two hours before your ceremony) to arrange hire and to be fitted.
Ede & Ravenscroft request that you do not throw your mortarboard as this is their property and it may get damaged. Also in the past, there have been accidents that have caused injury to persons.
​Before contacting Ede & Ravenscroft, see if their frequently asked questions can help.
Tempest is the official graduation photographers for the University. They offer a variety of photo opportunities for your graduation day. You can choose between the Classic or Signature Studio options. They also capture the important moment you cross the stage during your ceremony.
The studios are located in University Place and open from 7.30am - 7pm. We recommend that once you have registered, collected your gown, and your guests have arrived, you head to the photography registration. If you're running a bit late, Tempest will be there after the ceremony as well. After you finish your session in the studio, the photographer will provide you with your images, and they will then help you choose your best value package.
Tempest's Signature Studio is exclusive to the University, introducing a new and exciting studio experience for 2025.
The Signature Studio is the perfect option if you want to:
This option can be booked and paid for on Tempest’s website. The sitting fee is £50 (this does not include the cost of the selected photos).
When booking a time slot for the Signature Studio, please ensure you allow sufficient time to reach Whitworth Hall for your ceremony.
No, the professional photography service is completely optional. You and your guests can take your own photos at any time and there will be opportunities to do this together with your guests before and after your ceremony – please note, once you and your guests are seated, you must remain seated in the Hall before and during the ceremony.
Professional photography will be available at your graduation ceremony before and after your ceremony to take your picture. We recommend you have your pictures taken before the ceremony in order to avoid queues.
(University Switchboard)
+44 (0) 161 306 6000
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
