Academic dress of the University of Nottingham

In general, the academic dress of the University of Nottingham dates from the award of its Royal Charter in 1948.

In addition to the dress listed below, the senior university officers (the chancellor, the pro-chancellors, the treasurer and the vice-chancellor) wear black robes and caps trimmed with gold.

The origin of this association of light blue with Nottingham derives from the support the University of Cambridge gave to the newly founded University College Nottingham before the college formally associated itself with London University, resulting in Nottingham adopting many Cambridge academic practices and including 'Cambridge blue' in the design of its academic dress.

The first vice-chancellor, Bertrand Hallward was not only a Cambridge graduate, but also a Fellow of Peterhouse and the Senior Proctor for 1934–1935.

The University of Nottingham calendar stated "The gown shall be of black stuff and the pattern shall be full length with open sleeves".