Visuality plays a remarkable role in the Conferment Ceremony. In fact, the Conferment is not only a festive ceremony, but also a play of its own kind. It concretizes the transition from an undergraduate to a Master or from a graduate student to Ph.D.
The play involves not only the roles, lines and stage, but also the costumes. Dressing according to the role creates cohesion within one’s own group, while it also helps in telling the different groups apart. Following the dress code and etiquette creates a sense of solidarity and a warm atmosphere. The dress code also makes the several choreographed elements of The Conferment Ceremony visually impressive, and without the consistent dress code of black and white this graphic play would not be possible. The dress code in the Conferment Ceremony creates an essential part of the framework for a celebration that each can make their own.
For these reasons, we expect the graduands, companions and guests to dress according to the dress code. This applies especially to the Conferment Act and the Conferment Ball.
The division between Doctors and Masters in the Conferment Ceremony comes through the colours: the Masters wear white, and the Doctors wear black. On this page you can find the instructions regarding the specific dress codes for each event separately. There are separate instructions for the promovendi, their companions and for the guests. We have also collaborated with companies that sell and rent outfits suitable for the Conferment Ceremony – their offers can be found on a separate page.
We also recommend visiting the Promootiot kierrättää Facebook group!
There are two options for the dress code: the Finnish “frakki” (white tie) or an evening gown. Please see more detailed instructions for each option). Each graduand has the right to choose the best suitable option for them.
The Conferment Committee (fil-promootio@helsinki.fi) is happy to answer possible questions about the dress code.
The doctoral hats are hand-made, and it is thus recommended to order the hat as early as possible before the Conferment Ceremony. Remember also to check the offer for the hats from our partners!
In the less formal events (i.e. Flora’s Day and the Conferment Excursion) the dress code is more flexible. The dress codes and instructions can be found in a separate section. There are also instructions for the use of state and academic awards, decorations and orders of merit and for the use of dress uniforms, as well as some general notions about the dress code. The dress codes are compulsory in each of the Conferment events.
The best festivities are created by respecting the fellow celebrants. We have curated general directives that we wish everyone attending the Conferment Ceremony will follow. Please read the instructions carefully before the Conferment Ceremony!
The sword-whetter – the companion of the Doctor graduand – shall otherwise dress as a Doctor graduand, but without the doctoral sword. If the sword-whetter owns a hat they may use it only after the act. A student cap may still be worn on Flower’s Day and the Excursion.
Finnish student cap and a light, but weather-appropriate spring outfit. For example, a dress or a suit. The colours can be chosen freely. The student cap is also worn indoors and when eating.
The doctoral hat and sword are left at the university's main building after the rehearsal to wait for the following day. Note! Everyone must clearly label their own hat and sword (including borrowed swords)!
Please note that there is no time for changing clothes between the rehearsal and the dinner, so dress according to the evening’s dress code already for the rehearsal. If you’ve chosen to only participate in the Act only, you are welcome to the rehearsal dressed in smart casual.
For the Rector's reception, the dress code is the same as for the Sword-Whetting Dinner, meaning a full-length evening gown in color or a tailcoat.
Option1:
Colourful, long evening gown. The dress must be full-length, and it cannot be black or white, however the decorations and patterns may include these colours. The openness of the dress is up to your choice. It is recommended to consider the nature of the event as well as the springtime when choosing the dress.
A domestic or foreign national costume can replace a coloured formal dress.
A black or white evening dress can be made colourful by adding coloured accessories, such as a bolero or a scarf.
Option2:
Formal dress “Frakki”, also known as white tie. A dress suit includes a black tailcoat, black trousers, a dress shirt, a white waistcoat, a white bow tie, a white pocket square and white gloves.
The dress shirt has a starched stand-up collar and single cuffs. Ruffled or pleated shirts do not go together with a dress suit. The dress shirt buttons are of pearl or gold, black buttons are not according to the etiquette. The pocket square should be folded into a narrow TV foldWrist watches are not used with a dress suit, and if using a pocket watch, the chains should not be too visible.
With a tailcoat, black patent leather shoes, glossy leather shoes, or well-polished regular leather shoes are worn. We do not require leather-soled shoes.
Socks ought to be black as well. The most suitable overcoat with a dress suit is a dark dress coat or a cloak. If a scarf is worn, it must be white.
From one conferment ceremony to another, the attire for the ceremony raises the most questions among participants. The most essential aspects of the conferment ceremony outfit are color, length, coverage, and formality. Tight-fitting, revealing, or heavily decorated outfits are not suitable for the ceremony; instead, the desired attire is simple yet elegant.
The Doctor’s hat and sword are also part of the dress code, but they are waiting in the main building having been left there after the rehearsal the previous day.
Option 1:
The Conferment Act dress for a Doctor graduand is black, full-length and covering. The dress should be simple and elegant. The formal attire for the ceremony is traditionally a dress, but it can also be an elegant trouser suit. The outfit includes black gloves and black shoes.
A suitable material is elegant. . The fabric may have black embroidery and it may have a pattern woven into the design (e.g. damask). The fabric must not be embroidered with colored or metallic threads, and it should not have loose embellishments such as sequins or colored gemstones.
A full-length dress means that only the tips of the shoes are visible. The dress should have full-length sleeves reaching up to the wrists so that the skin is not visible between the glove and the sleeve. You should be able to go up and down the stairs gracefully with the dress. Thus, we do not recommend a dress reaching all the way down to the floor or with a train.
To maintain the elegance and simplicity, the dress needs to be slim. If the outfit has a slit, it should not be too long, and the tights worn underneath should match the color of the outfit.
Black gloves covering the wrist and all fingers (leaving no skin visible) are used with the Conferment Act dress. Suitable gloves are simple, undecorated and cover the back of the hand. The gloves should blend with the rest of the outfit, and they should not stand out.
Black shoes are used with the outfit. The shoes must be closed from the tip – sandals are not festive enough for the Conferment Act. The Conferment Act involves plenty of walking and standing in place, so comfortable shoes that do not squeeze or chafe one’s feet are recommended. Another thing to remember when picking footwear is that everyone’s shoes will be visible as they step up to the parnassus (the raised platform that the promovendi stand on as their rank is conferred on them).
You may wear discreet jewellery the dress. A handbag or a clutch is not part of the Conferment Act outfit. Necessary small items can be hidden for example in a secret pocket sewn inside the dress.
Option2:
Formal dress. Similar outfit as on the sword-whetting day, but with a black waistcoat (instead of white). For the conferment act, wear matte shoes with a black waistcoat. In the evening, when wearing a white waistcoat, patent leather shoes are recommended. Here, either patent leather shoes or well-polished leather shoes are accepted. We do not require leather-soled shoes. The outfit also includes the Doctor’s hat and sword. Also, remember white gloves. Note that a pocket square is not used with a black waistcoat.
Note!
All doctors, regardless of gender, take off their hats during the national anthem "Maamme" at the conferment act, and in the church. At the Laurel Ceremony, the hat is worn throughout the event. The sword will be carried with you to the church or the non-denominational ceremony.
It is necessary that attendees leave any handbags in the cloakroom for the duration of the ceremony.
The doctor's sword is attached to the waist of the trousers/uniform with a button, loop or a belt. For the doctor's sword, you can either sew a button or loop on the trousers or evening dress (on the left side) or use a sword belt. The button or belt must be black; the material is not specified. For a doctor wearing an evening dress, a good alternative for attaching the sword is a black silk ribbon over the shoulder or a belt hidden under the dress at the waist. If the belt is worn under the suit, an opening must be left in the left side seam of the suit for the belt.
The sword is carried in the Conferment Act only by the doctoral promovendi, honorary doctors, jubilee doctors, the Conferrer, the Master of Ceremonies and the Head Marshal. They will carry their swords in the conferment procession and the Church Service or Laudatio Solemnis, but the sword will not be taken to the Conferment dinner (it can be left in the cloakroom).
When state decorations or academic decorations and medals are worn, they must be full-sized, not miniatures. Student nation or student association colours (sashes, ribbons) and such are not worn at the Conferment.
The most suitable outer garment to be worn with full evening dress is a dark overcoat or cloak. If a scarf is worn, it must be white.
The doctoral hat is worn at the conferment dinner and ball. It can be worn throughout the evening, including while eating.
The sword is not brought to the Conferment Dinner on Friday (it can be left in the cloakroom).
Option 1: The Conferment Act dress for a Doctor graduand is also suitable for the Conferment Dinner and Ball, however with a more flexible dress code especially for the Ball.
The same dress as in the Conferment Act and Dinner may also be used during the Ball, or the dress can be changed into a more décolleté dress with a wider hem. The outfit still needs to be black for doctoral graduands and their companions. The Ball outfit includes gloves with a length depending on the length of the sleeves.
A handbag or a clutch should match the dress. It is not, however, used during the dancing. Also remember the Doctor’s hat and sword.
Option 2: Formal dress. Same as during the wreath-weaving day (with a white waistcoat). Also, remember white gloves and the doctor’s hat and sword. In the evening, when wearing a white waistcoat, patent leather shoes are recommended. Here, either patent leather shoes or well-polished leather shoes are accepted. We do not require leather-soled shoes.
A Finnish student cap is used (if you have one) both indoors and outdoors during the Excursion, so the rest of the outfit should go together with the cap. The outfit should not be too sporty, and jeans or clothing with advertising are not suitable.
Relaxed, weather-appropriate outfit. A suitable outfit for the excursion is, for example, a comfortable and neat skirt or trousers and a cardigan and/or a collared shirt.
The wreath-weaver – the companion of the Master graduand – shall otherwise dress as a Master graduand, but without the laurel wreath or the ring. A student cap may still be used on Flower’s Day and the Excursion.
Finnish student cap and a light, but weather-appropriate spring outfit. For example, a dress or a suit. The colours can be chosen freely. The student cap is also worn indoors and when eating.
Please note that there is no time for changing clothes between the rehearsal and the dinner, so dress according to the evening’s dress code already for the rehearsal.
Option 1:
Colourful, long evening gown. The dress must be full-length, and it cannot be black or white, however the decorations and patterns may include these colours. The openness of the dress is up to your choice. It is recommended to consider the nature of the event as well as the springtime when choosing the dress.
A domestic or foreign national costume can replace a coloured formal dress.
A black or white evening dress can be made colourful by adding coloured accessories, such as a bolero or a scarf.
Option2:
Formal dress “Frakki”, also known as white tie. A dress suit includes a black tailcoat, black trousers, a dress shirt, a white waistcoat, a white bow tie, a white pocket square and white gloves.
The dress shirt has a starched stand-up collar and single cuffs. Ruffled or pleated shirts do not go together with a dress suit. The dress shirt buttons are of pearl or gold, black buttons are not according to the etiquette. The pocket square should be folded into a narrow TV fold
Wrist watches are not used with a dress suit, and if using a pocket watch, the chains should not be too visible.
With a tailcoat, black patent leather shoes, glossy leather shoes, or well-polished regular leather shoes are worn. We do not require leather-soled shoes.
Socks ought to be black as well. The most suitable overcoat with a dress suit is a dark dress coat or a cloak. If a scarf is worn, it must be white.
The master’s ring does not necessarily have to be made of gold or a specially crafted master’s ring; any gold-coloured ring is suitable for use in the ceremony. The ring is worn on the left index finger over the glove during the ceremony.
The laurel wreath is included in the participation fee for the Master graduand.
Option1: The Conferment Act dress for a Master graduand is completely white, full-length and covering. The dress should be simple and elegant. The formal attire for the ceremony is traditionally a dress, but it can also be an elegant trouser suit. The outfit includes white gloves and white shoes.
The dress must be pure white: “white” in the Conferment Ceremony is a shade that resembles that of a copy paper, and not, for example, cream/ivory. Please pay attention to the shade as much as is reasonable.
A suitable material is elegant. The fabric may have white embroidery and it may have a pattern woven into the design (e.g. damask). The fabric must not be embroidered with colored or metallic threads, and it should not have loose embellishments such as sequins or colored gemstones.
A full-length dress means that only the tips of the shoes are visible. The dress should have full-length sleeves reaching up to the wrists so that the skin is not visible between the glove and the sleeve. You should be able to go up and down the stairs gracefully with the dress. Thus, we do not recommend a dress reaching all the way down to the floor or with a train. To maintain the elegance and simplicity, the dress needs to be slim. If the outfit has a slit, it should not be too long, and the tights worn underneath should match the colour of the outfit.
White gloves covering the wrist and all fingers (leaving no skin visible) are used with the Conferment Act outfit. Suitable gloves are simple, undecorated and cover the back of the hand. The gloves must blend with the rest of the outfit.
White shoes are used with the outfit. The shoes must be closed from the tip – sandals are not festive enough for the Conferment Act.
You may wear discreet jewellery. To give the Master’s ring the spotlight it is recommended not to wear any other rings, except for a wedding ring, during the Conferment Act. A handbag or a clutch is not part of the Conferment Act outfit. Necessary small items can be hidden for example in a secret pocket sown inside the dress.
Option 2: Formal dress. Like on the Wreath-Weaving Day, but with a black waistcoat (instead of white). For the conferment act, wear matte shoes with a black waistcoat. In the evening, when wearing a white waistcoat, patent leather shoes are recommended. Here, either patent leather shoes or well-polished leather shoes are accepted. We do not require leather-soled shoes. The outfit also includes the laurel wreath and Master’s ring. Also, remember white gloves. Note that a pocket square is not used with a black waistcoat.
Also remember the laurel wreath and the Master’s ring.
Option1: The Conferment Act dress is also suitable for the Conferment Dinner and Ball, however with a more flexible dress code especially for the Ball.
The same dress as in the Conferment Act and Dinner may also be used during the Ball, or the dress can be changed into a more décolleté dress with a wider hem. The outfit still needs to be white for both the master graduand and the companion. The Ball outfit includes gloves with a length depending on the length of the sleeves. A handbag or a clutch is permitted, but it should match the dress. It is not, however, used during the dancing.
Option 2: Formal dress (frakki). Similar outfit as on the sword-whetting day, but with a white waistcoat (instead of black). In the evening, when wearing a white waistcoat, patent leather shoes are recommended. Here, either patent leather shoes or well-polished leather shoes are accepted. We do not require leather-soled shoes. The outfit includes laurel wreath and the Master’s ring. Also remember white gloves.
A Finnish student cap is used (if you have one) both indoors and outdoors during the Excursion, so the rest of the outfit should go together with the cap. The outfit should not be too sporty, and jeans or clothing with advertising are not suitable.
Relaxed, weather-appropriate outfit. A suitable outfit for the excursion is, for example, a comfortable and neat skirt or trousers and a cardigan and/or a collared shirt.
Guests dress according to the dress code given for the sword-whetters of the Doctor promovendi. However, guests do not wear gloves during the Conferment Act. Guests participating in the Conferment Act in the Great Hall can also wear a uniform (more on this later) that is according to their possible official position.
At the graduation dinner and ball, invited guests who follow dress code 1 must exceptionally dress in a colored suit instead of a black suit, in accordance with the instructions given for the sword-grinding dinner.
Those who have defended their doctoral dissertations at international universities can attend the conferment ceremony wearing their alma mater's robe, hood, and doctoral hat.
Like graduands, guests can also wear formal evening attire, i.e., white tie and tails with a black waistcoat (no pocket handkerchief) and matte shoes or a full-length, long-sleeved black evening gown with a modest neckline.
For guests it is also acceptable to wear a black suit or a black dress (ankle or knee length).
Guests can take their own doctoral hats with them to the ceremony and wear those regardless of colour or emblem. Foreign doctoral caps are also permitted. The hat is brought into the Great Hall on the left arm and placed on the head as the Conferrer puts on their own hat. All doctors, regardless of gender, take off their doctoral hats for the national anthem "Maamme". For guests wearing their own doctoral hat the more formal dress code is recommended.
The sword is carried in the Conferment Act only by the doctoral graduands, honorary doctors, jubilee doctors, the Conferrer, the Master of Ceremonies and the Head Marshal. Guests are not allowed to carry swords.
National or regional dresses or costumes do not comply with the dress code. No fur, bold jewellery, or hats (except doctoral hats) are permitted.
It is necessary that attendees leave any handbags in the cloakroom for the duration of the ceremony.
Dress code is identical to the dress code of doctor graduands, with the exception of the jubilee masters naturally wearing a ring and wreath instead of the hat and sword.
At the Conferment Act and Dinner, state-awarded decorations and orders of merit may be worn in accordance with the instructions given for the award in question. Those who have been awarded decorations etc. by the Finnish state are obligated to wear them, in their original size (not the miniature models). At the Conferment Ball, state-awarded decorations and orders of merit are worn, but in addition to the full-size versions, the miniature models are also allowed.
Academic decorations and orders of merit as well as ribbons/bands of the student nations or other organisations may be worn at Thursday's dinner if desired.
Persons entitled to use a (dress) uniform may use it in all events at the Conferment Ceremony. The persons in question must of course obey the usual instructions and rules regarding the use of such uniforms.
However, the general colour worn by one’s own group should be taken into account: for example, the graduands and the wreath-weavers, who otherwisedress in white, cannot wear a black priestly uniform, especially in the Conferment Act.
Finnish student caps are traditionally worn at the wreath-weaving workshop, where the dress code is otherwise smart casual.
At the pre-wreathweaving event, there is no specific dress code; a neat outfit is sufficient. If desired, one may wear a student cap in accordance with tradition.
Use of a Finnish or foreign national dress is not allowed during the Conferment Ceremony when the dress code is black or white.
All kinds of fur trimmings are also forbidden.
As a courtesy to persons with allergies, strongly scented perfumes, colognes etc. are not allowed in the Conferment Act, as the promovendi have to stand very close to each other for several hours.
The Conferment Ceremony should be safe for each and every participant. For this reason, we require participants to follow instructions given for safe events throughout the entire Conferment. In addition, we wish participants to consider the Conferment experience in their own behaviour. This includes, for example, avoiding unnecessary talk or otherwise disturbing behaviour during the speeches and performances.
We want to provide every conferment ceremony participant with a safe and pleasant experience. We adhere to the principles of non-discrimination as defined in the Equality Act*. Discrimination is prohibited, whether based on an actual fact or assumption concerning oneself or someone else.
The principles for a safer space at the promotion are guidelines intended to collectively create a safe, respectful, and appreciative atmosphere at the event. The principles apply to all promotion events; every participant is expected to adhere to them. Neglecting or violating the principles may result in removal from the event.
• Meet others openly as they are. Try to recognize your assumptions and consider the diversity of people. Respect a person’s self-defined identities and meet them openly; you cannot know someone else's background, experiences, and life situation or define their identity for them. • Ensure everyone is heard and included in discussions. Strive to speak in a way that everyone understands. • Create a sense of safety and acceptance for others. When you feel comfortable, use that to help create a safe atmosphere for all. • There is zero tolerance for any form of harassment, racism, discrimination, or other inappropriate treatment or behaviour at the promotion. • Respect others’ physical and mental integrity. Do not disturb anyone verbally, by touching or by staring. No means no; change your behaviour or stop if asked. • If you see or experience inappropriate behaviour, intervene or report the incident to a marshal. If you wish, you can also contact the harassment contact persons at the University of Helsinki after the event. • If you violate or are called out for violating the principles of a safer space, apologize. Everyone makes mistakes. Correct your behaviour if necessary. Also, be understanding of others’ mistakes and strive to resolve the issue amicably between the parties involved. • Each of us is responsible for ensuring everyone feels comfortable and safe. Build an open, appreciative, and safe atmosphere with your actions.
*No one shall be discriminated against, for example, but not limited to, based on age, gender, gender identity, origin, nationality, language, religion, belief, opinion, political activity, union activity, family relations, health status, disability, sexual orientation or other personal reasons.