Abstract

The University of Kent at Canterbury (UKC), which received its charter in 1965, had a unique concept of what constituted a degree hood, ground-breaking in its obvious difference from anything designed before or since. This paper includes academic dress at the neighbouring and slightly older institution of Canterbury Christ Church, founded as a teacher training college in 1962, with which Kent has always been closely linked. The histories and development of the academic dress of both the Canterbury universities are investigated and described. A timeline will be found in the Appendix. There is clear contrast between the ways in which the two universities and their academic dress systems evolved and further contrast between the ways in which their academic dress has been evaluated, both by the wearers and by other commentators.

Keywords: Academical dress, Origins of university costume, History of academic dress, Academic cap and gown

How to Cite:

Brewer, M. H., (2011) “Academic Dress in Canterbury”, Transactions of the Burgon Society 11(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2475-7799.1090