# Practical information for ceremony participants

**Source**: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/university-glance/academic-traditions/doctoral-degree-conferment-ceremony/practical-information-ceremony-participants
**Parent**: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/study/admission-degree-studies/applying-studies-when-apply

## Invitation

The invitation is sent out to all those who have publicly defended their thesis or will be defending it since the last degree conferment ceremony. The invitation is sent by post in early March to the addresses registered with the faculties.

## Date

The doctoral degree conferment ceremony traditionally takes place on the last Friday in May, with a compulsory rehearsal on the preceding afternoon. In order to take part in the ceremony, doctoral students must normally have publicly defended their theses no later than the Tuesday in the week of the degree conferment ceremony.

## Participation

All those who have publicly defended a doctoral thesis and passed all required courses in the past year are welcome to take part in the ceremony. Invitations are automatically sent out to those who have publicly defended their thesis since the previous year’s degree conferment ceremony.

## Doctor's hat

It is compulsory for all graduands at the following faculties to hand in a doctor's hat:

- Faculty of Theology
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts
- Doctors of Business and Economics and Doctors of Laws at the School of Economics and Business.

Many choose to borrow the hat from their supervisor or from a colleague; otherwise it can be ordered from a hatter.

Instructions for ordering a hat are included in the information sent out with the invitation.

## Laurel wreath

The laurel wreath is compulsory for graduands at the following faculties:

- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Doctors of Philosophy at the School of Economics and Business
- Faculty of Science.

The University's laurel wreaths are made from the leaves of Italian bay laurel trees.

Instructions for ordering a laurel wreath are included in the information sent out with the invitation.

## Doctor's ring

All graduands who choose to take part in the degree conferment ceremony are to have a ring. Ordering a doctor's ring is voluntary; any ring of your choice can be used for the ceremony.

Instructions for ordering a doctor's ring are included in the information sent out with the invitation.

## Diploma

All participants in the degree conferment ceremony receive a calligraphed doctoral diploma, provided by the University. The diploma is not a degree certificate and does not replace the proof of completion of a doctoral degree to be obtained from the faculty for the purposes of job applications, etc.

## Attire, ceremony

Academic formal wear for those taking part in the procession; black tails with black waistcoat and white bow tie, black shoes or floor-length black dress with covered shoulders and black shoes, or a long black skirt with a black top, black jacket and black shoes. For guests in the cathedral who are not part of the procession: business attire. There is no dress code for the ceremony rehearsal.

## Wreath-bearers

Graduands with daughters between the ages of 5 and 7 can put their names forward as possible wreath-bearers. There are many applicants for the role so precedence is given to the daughters from the wreath-wearing faculties, i.e. those historically included in the Faculty of Philosophy (Humanities, Social Sciences, Economics and Science). Nine wreath-bearers (representing the nine muses) are chosen from among the applicants. Lots are drawn if there are more applicants than places.

## Photography and filming

The degree conferment ceremony is recorded on film and in photographs by a specially appointed photographer. The images and film material will be available for download after the event.

## Guests

Graduands are guaranteed four tickets to the ceremony in the cathedral and one for a guest accompanying them to the dinner. If more tickets are requested, the Ceremonies and Events Office will do its best to accommodate everyone's wishes.

Young children should not be brought into the cathedral; there have been strong complaints from the audience at previous ceremonies about children disrupting the event.

## Degree conferment ceremonial dinner

All participants are invited to the dinner; the current year’s doctoral graduates are guaranteed a place for one guest each. The dinner takes place at AF-borgen with guests gathering for a drink at 18:30 and sitting down for dinner at 19:00. The dinner is followed by dancing to a big band orchestra.

## Attire for the ceremonial dinner

Formal attire, black tails with white waistcoat and white bow tie or floor-length dress in your chosen colour.

## Contact information

**Carin Brenner**\
Chief of Protocol\
overmarskalk [at] rektor [dot] lu [dot] se (overmarskalk[at]rektor[dot]lu[dot]se)\
[+46(0)46 222 7006](tel:+46462227006)

**Visiting address**\
Paradisgatan 4, Lund

**Postal address**\
Chief of Protocol\
Lund University\
Box 117, 221 00 Lund

**Invoicing address**\
Chief of Protocol\
Lund University\
Box 188, 221 00 Lund

## Upcoming doctoral conferment ceremonies

- 29 May 2026

## [Degree conferment ceremony glossary](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/current-students/current-doctoral-students/doctoral-degree-conferment-ceremony/degree-conferment-ceremony-glossary)