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Original poster

Graduation gown - disappointed

28 replies

Blushingm · 22/02/2025 19:53

I've passed my level 7 PgDip and I've just found out it's the same robe as someone who has got a level 5 certificate

It just feels a bit disappointing - gown/hood colour and design represents the level of qualification

Am I being big headed/unreasonabke?

OP posts:
Legodaisy · 22/02/2025 19:59

I think YABU. Level 5 is equivalent to Yr2 of undergrad degree, and a PgDip is what, like a masters but shorter? Takes a few months to complete?

When I got my masters we wore the same as the undergrads. I didn’t think twice about it. I think only PhDs wore something different. They wear the silly pudding hats.

LIZS · 22/02/2025 19:59

It does not matter.

Original poster
Blushingm · 22/02/2025 20:01

Legodaisy · 22/02/2025 19:59

I think YABU. Level 5 is equivalent to Yr2 of undergrad degree, and a PgDip is what, like a masters but shorter? Takes a few months to complete?

When I got my masters we wore the same as the undergrads. I didn’t think twice about it. I think only PhDs wore something different. They wear the silly pudding hats.

It's 2/3's of a masters . 4 modules at 30 credits. We couldn't make it a full masters as they stopped the dissertation module. Only 5 of n the cohort

OP posts:
ScaryM0nster · 22/02/2025 20:02

My Masters looked far less impressive than the BA ones.

Only way anyone knows is if they look up the colour scheme at your university.

Original poster
Blushingm · 22/02/2025 20:02

They have a different gone again for bachelors, a different again for integrated maters, different again for masters (taught), different again for research masters and then the phd

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viques · 22/02/2025 20:03

If you think people are going to point fingers and snigger then yes, you are right to be disappointed, but no one will, you will wear the gown, walk across a stage, get your certificate, have a photo taken , wince at the price,give the gown back and never think of it again.

Congratulations on your achievement.

Original poster
Blushingm · 22/02/2025 20:09

viques · 22/02/2025 20:03

If you think people are going to point fingers and snigger then yes, you are right to be disappointed, but no one will, you will wear the gown, walk across a stage, get your certificate, have a photo taken , wince at the price,give the gown back and never think of it again.

Congratulations on your achievement.

Thank you

And that's what I was thinking - thanks for putting it in perspective!! 😬

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RampantIvy · 22/02/2025 20:11

I agree with @viques
The audience won't know the significance of the gowns.

And congratulations.

sanityisamyth · 22/02/2025 20:12

The robes are all the same. The hoods are different for each university and each course.

HellofromJohnCraven · 22/02/2025 20:32

I only did a Masters. All the gowns were the same. Expensive and creased to buggery.

Original poster
Blushingm · 22/02/2025 20:36

sanityisamyth · 22/02/2025 20:12

The robes are all the same. The hoods are different for each university and each course.

The sleeves on the gowns are different at this uni

OP posts:
Original poster
Blushingm · 22/02/2025 20:36

HellofromJohnCraven · 22/02/2025 20:32

I only did a Masters. All the gowns were the same. Expensive and creased to buggery.

I can imagine.

My friends bachelors gown still had makeup on from the last wearer! 😂

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Callipygion · 22/02/2025 20:38

My daughter’s PhD gown was much less impressive than the BSc ones at her uni, and none wore hats either.

WonderingWanda · 22/02/2025 20:39

I had no idea different coloured gowns were a thing. Why does it bother you? Do you need the approval of all the other people there who don't know you? Presumably they people you know will be aware of what level of qualification you have?

Original poster
Blushingm · 22/02/2025 20:41

WonderingWanda · 22/02/2025 20:39

I had no idea different coloured gowns were a thing. Why does it bother you? Do you need the approval of all the other people there who don't know you? Presumably they people you know will be aware of what level of qualification you have?

I suppose it's a recognition thing? Like I said, I didn't know if I was being silly

OP posts:
Iwishiwasapolarbear · 22/02/2025 20:45

I have a pg dip- I didn’t even know they had ceremonies for them. I thought it was just degree and masters that had ceremonies. My uni didn’t do one but it was mid Covid time which is prob why. I don’t think it’s a big deal the style of the robe tho op. Congrats on the pg dip

Lamelie · 22/02/2025 20:48

It doesn’t matter- just enjoy the day. I had the opposite- failed to complete masters got a pgdip and was petrified I’d be pulled out of line- we had the same gown and hood.
Get photos. I was grungy & scruffy when I got my undergraduate degree- 40 years later I glowed up!

RainSpainPlane · 22/02/2025 20:48

There was a running joke at the university where I did postgrad that the less impressive the gown, the higher the qualification. So there's that...

Princesspollyyy · 22/02/2025 20:50

What is it you are wanting? Everyone to point and say oh wow she's got a level 7 qualification!! You can tell from the super duper robe she is wearing!! She must be an absolute genius!

Crispynoodle · 22/02/2025 22:16

Are you for real? Who cares what colour the robe is! My hubby likes to brag about his red robe and floppy hat because he has a phd but the colour is awful! Not the point but at my last grad ceremony I started the day with a blue stripe (humanities) and ended with green (science). I think you might get a bit of fur for a masters....

Crispynoodle · 22/02/2025 22:18

Sorry! I forgot to say congratulations on your achievement!

Seeline · 22/02/2025 22:24

Surely you have a different hood to the undergrads though?

I don't think having the same gown matters - it's the hoods that really stand out. My hood was definitely different.

Destiny123 · 22/02/2025 22:49

Cant say it remotely bothered me tbh. All of my graduations so far have been bog standard black gowns, just the hoods that vary

-Orange/blue/white for my medical school

  • red and white for my pgcert in medical education
  • purpley-red for my anaesthetic post grad exams

No idea what my msc will be like will find out next year

Maddy70 · 22/02/2025 23:04

Jesus. Honestly. No-one cares. I can't even remember what mine looked like

Original poster
Blushingm · 22/02/2025 23:07

Seeline · 22/02/2025 22:24

Surely you have a different hood to the undergrads though?

I don't think having the same gown matters - it's the hoods that really stand out. My hood was definitely different.

Same hood and gown as cert he (those who didn't finish their undergrad degree)

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