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Finals Weekend

Important Notice

The information on this site pertains to Finals Weekend 2023. We will begin updating the site with Finals Weekend 2024 information later this Fall. Please continue to check back.

Caps and Gowns

Complimentary Academic Regalia

Complimentary caps and gowns are available for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree candidates. With a valid photo ID, you can pick up your cap and gown from the UVA Bookstore in Spring 2023. The schedule is provided below.

Fourth-Year Cap & Gown Week: Monday, February 20 - Friday, February 24: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

PhD and Master's Grad Fair: Monday, February 27 – Friday, March 3, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Finals Week (for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree candidates): If you are unable to pick up your cap and gown during Fourth-Year Week or the Graduate Grad Fair, you may pick up your regalia at the following times:

  • Wednesday, May 17 - Friday, May 19:  9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 20:  7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 21:  7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.       

These complimentary "one-way" caps and gowns do not need to be returned after the ceremony; they may be retained as keepsakes.

Doctoral Students Only

Other options available to doctoral students:

Renting Regalia

The doctoral rental gown is made of black poplin, and it includes black velvet panels on the front of the gown and black velvet chevrons on the sleeves. It comes with a mortarboard and tassel. The PhD hood is trimmed in blue velvet and has a black poplin tail lined in orange and navy satin. The timeframe for ordering a rental gown and/or a doctoral hood is Friday, April 7th at 5 p.m. (Note: The link to order rental regalia won't be active until March 1). These items will be available for pick up from the UVA Bookstore during the following times:

  • Wednesday, May 17 - Friday, May 19:  9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 20:  7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 21:  7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.        

Rental gowns and hoods must be returned to the UVA Bookstore during the following times (Note: mortarboards and tassels may be kept as souvenirs):

  • Saturday, May 20:  12 to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 21:  12 to 5 p.m.
  • Monday, May 22:  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Individuals are responsible for the cost of unreturned regalia. A late fee will be charged for rental regalia not returned by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 22.

Purchasing UVA Custom Regalia

For doctoral degree candidates who wish to purchase custom regalia, the order deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 3. Degree candidates have the option of purchasing any/all of the following:

  • Academic Gown -  UVA's custom gown is navy and includes two velvet panels on the front of the gown, each adorned with an orange Rotunda, and velvet chevrons with orange cording on the sleeves.
  • Academic Hood - Academic hoods are designed to represent your degree/discipline (the velvet trim) as well as your alma mater (the stain lining). UVA hoods contain a navy and orange satin lining. The color of the velvet trim is dictated by your specific degree/discipline. 
  • Tam - UVA tams are navy blue 6-cornered velvet with a 2-buttoned tassel. 

For questions about rental or purchased regalia, please email Teresa Hammond, Associate Director of the UVA Bookstore.

Darden, Law, and Medicine Students

Darden, Law, and Medicine (Doctor of Medicine) degree candidates will pick up their caps and gowns at their respective schools. Students will be notified by their respective schools of the dates and times to pick up and return caps and gowns. Should you have questions, please contact the following school representatives:

 

Updated: February 13, 2023