Doctorial insignia

Doctoral hat

Doctoral hat for the doctors of the Faculty of Medicine

ImageAndreas Nilsson

The doctoral hat symbolises academic freedom, but also power. The hat is black and pleated, and decorated with a special Umeå emblem signifying the faculty.

During Spring Graduation, only doctors of the Faculty of Medicine at Umeå University are conferred with a doctoral hat. Also, jubilee doctors of the Faculty of Medicine or the former Faculty of Odontology, shall wear a doctoral hat during the Spring Graduation Ceremony.

Doctors at the other current faculties are not conferred with a hat, but can, if they wish, buy a doctoral hat with an Umeå emblem for the former Faculty of Philosophy, to use on later festive occasions.

About the Umeå emblem

When the university was founded, there were three faculties, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Odontology and the Faculty of Philosophy. Therefore, there are three different models of emblems for the hat:

• Medicine: for all doctors at the Faculty of Medicine, except for those who have a doctoral degree in odontology.
• Odontology: for doctors at the Faculty of Medicine who have a doctoral degree in odontology.
• Philosophy: for doctors at the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences, or Science and Technology.

Laurel wreath

Laurel wreath and diploma

ImageMattias Pettersson

The laurel wreath is also a symbol of academic freedom. The use of laurel wreaths at the doctoral conferement is a very old tradition. All doctors of the Faculties of Arts, Science and Technology and Social Sciences at Umeå University are conferred with a laurel wreath during Spring Graduation.

Doctoral ring

Doctoral rings

ImageMattias Pettersson

The doctoral ring symbolises loyalty to science. Only those who have obtained a doctoral degree at Umeå University may wear a ring, in red or white gold, of the special Umeå model.

When the university was founded, there were three faculties, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Odontology and the Faculty of Philosophy. Therefore, there are three different models of the ring.

• Medicine: For all doctors at the Faculty of Medicine, except for those who have a doctoral degree in odontology.
• Odontology: For doctors at the Faculty of Medicine who have a doctorate in odontology.
• Philosophy: For doctors at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities.

Here are more pictures of what the doctoral rings look like.

Diploma

Diploma at the conferment ceremony

ImageAndreas Nilsson

The diploma is a ceremonial gift from the faculty to its doctors during their conferment.

For doctors and award recipients who wish to participate in the 2023 Spring Graduation

Follow the relevant link below to find out what applies to guests of honours – new doctors, jubilee doctors and award recipients – being celebrated at the Spring Graduation.