The wearing of academic costume is a tradition that has persisted from the Middle Ages, when the first Universities were founded.
The regalia vary slightly from one University to another, and within a University, according to the status of the wearer.
At the University of British Columbia, the undergraduate’s and Master’s gown are black. The colours for the degrees are as follows:
Hoods
| Degree | Name | Colours |
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | Gown – Maroon with front panel & sleeves of university blue with gold piping |
| Hood – Blue silk outside with gold lining | ||
| Hat – Decanel bonnet of maroon silk with gold cord and tassel | ||
| M.A. | Master of Arts | Fully lined university blue |
| M.A.Sc. | Master of Applied Science | Fully lined scarlet |
| M.Ed. | Master of Education | Fully lined white with university blue cord |
| M.Eng. | Master of Engineering | Fully lined scarlet with dark blue cord |
| M.F.A. | Master of Fine Arts | Fully lined university blue with magenta cord |
| M.M. | Master of Management | Fully lined grey with black and gold cord |
| M.S.N. | Master of Science in Nursing | Fully lined scarlet with blue and white cord |
| M.S.W. | Master of Social Work | Fully lined magenta |
| M.Sc. | Master of Science | Fully lined light blue |
| B.A. | Bachelor of Arts | University blue |
| B.A.Sc. | Bachelor of Applied Science | Scarlet |
| B.Ed. | Bachelor of Education | White with university blue cord |
| B.F.A. | Bachelor of Fine Arts | University blue with magenta cord |
| B.H.K. | Bachelor of Human Kinetics | Malachite green |
| B.Mgt. | Bachelor of Management | Light grey with black and gold cord |
| B.M.S | Bachelor of Media Studies | University Blue |
| B.N.L.F | Bachelor in Nsyilxcn Language Fluency | University Blue |
| B.S.N. | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Scarlet with blue and white cord |
| B.Sc. | Bachelor of Science | Light blue |