Doctor’s hat
The hat is the doctor’s symbol. Doctor’s hats vary between universities and disciplines.
At Tampere University, doctoral hats are black, except for the doctoral hats in medicine, which are green, and in theatre studies where they are plum red. Unlike the other hats, Doctors of Science in Technology or Architecture hats have an up-turned brim.
If you are unsure about which hat to choose, contact the conferment committee: promootio2025@tuni.fi
The emblem on the hat
The emblems of the new Tampere University’s doctoral hats honour the traditions of the previous universities.
The emblem of the former University of Tampere (a torch surrounded by a wreath) will be used on all doctoral hats except those of Doctors of Science in Technology or Architecture, Doctors of Medicine and Doctors of Health Sciences in the field of nursing.
Doctors of Science in Technology or Architecture wear a hat decorated by the metal cogwheel emblem of the former Tampere University of Technology. The cogwheel emblem is also used in the hats of Doctors of Philosophy who earned or began their degree at the former Tampere University of Technology
According to tradition, the hats of Doctors of Medicine feature an emblem depicting the staff of Asclepius surrounded by a laurel and an oak-leaf wreath, while the hats of Doctors of Health Sciences in the field of nursing have an oil lamp surrounded by a square birch-leaf wreath.
If you are unsure about which emblem to use, contact the conferment committee: promootio2025@tuni.fi
Ordering the doctor’s hat and emblem
There are several suppliers of hats and the way the hats are made varies. The hats are traditionally made in Finland by hand, but they are also made abroad, which naturally affects the price.
Making customised hats by hand is time-consuming meaning it is advisable to place orders in good time. You can search the internet for hat makers.
When you place your order, make sure to inform that it is for a conferment ceremony organised by the new Tampere University and to ensure that the hat and the emblem are the correct ones.
Doctor’s sword
The use of the doctor’s sword varies between universities and disciplines. At the new Tampere University, doctors to be conferred must carry a sword, except for Doctors of Science in Technology or Architecture and Doctors of Philosophy who earned or began their degree at the former Tampere University of Technology. The conferment tradition in the field of technology and architecture does not include a sword.
The officially certified civilian sword of independent Finland designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela is used as the doctoral sword. You can search the internet for companies that make the swords. The sword is decorated with the emblem of the former University of Tampere (a torch surrounded by a wreath). The name of the person being conferred and the date of the conferment act are usually engraved on the sword.
If you are unsure about the use of the sword, contact the conferment committee: promootio2025@tuni.fi
