Academic Dress of The University of St Andrews - Undergraduate Dress

Undergraduate Dress

Main article: Undergraduate gowns in Scotland

Undergraduates of the United College of St Salvator and St Leonard (United College), that is to say, students in the Faculties of Science, Arts and Medicine wear a scarlet cloth gown of knee length with open sleeves half the length of the gown and a burgundy velveteen collar. Undergraduates of 'New College of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary' (St Mary's College), that is to say, students in the Faculty of Divinity wear a black stuff gown of knee length with short open sleeves and with a violet cross of St Andrew on the left facing. It is traditional, for students in the United College of St Salvator and St Leonard (United College), for first-years (Bejants) to wear the gown high on the shoulders and for second years (Semi-Bejants) to wear it lower on the shoulders. Third year students (Tertians) wear it off the right shoulder if in the Faculty of Science or Medicine and off the left shoulder if in the Faculty of Arts. Fourth year students (Magistrands) wear it off both shoulders. As a general rule, it is considered bad luck to hook the fastenings on the undergraduate gown, or to wash it.

At formal occasions, undergraduates, especially those in the University's Chapel Choirs, use the gown as part of the subfusc outfit which is required on such occasions

Square caps or 'trenchers', now seldom worn by undergraduates also distinguish between year ranks. They are black cloth with coloured tassels: blue for Bejants, crimson for Semi-Bejants, yellow for Tertians and black for Magistrands. Folklore dictates only women students wear trenchers, however, men may carry them.