University of Edinburgh to implement new mandatory uniform next academic year

Leaked images seen by The Edinburgh Tab reveal plans from University of Edinburgh’s principal, Sir Peter Mathieson, to introduce a mandatory university uniform for all students from the start of the 2025/26 academic year.

The move will mean Edinburgh University will be the first in the UK to implement a mandatory uniform, but Sir Peter told The Edinburgh Tab he hopes to see more universities follow suit.

The leaked images seen exclusively by The Edinburgh Tab reveal a draft design for the uniform, including a blazer with the university’s logo, and a pair of beige chinos similar to the current formal wear of the university’s rugby team.

It will also include a grey tie symbolising some of campus’ most iconic structures like the Gordon Aikman lecture theatre and Appleton Tower, embroidered with a moose head representing EUSA’s mascot Dusty.

The move is part of a larger rebranding effort by the university to improve the institutions student satisfaction ratings by creating a sense of academic community across campus and represents a move away from the university’s traditional style of skinny scarves and fur coats.

First year astrology student, Joe Kerr, spoke to The Edinburgh Tab about the proposed uniform, saying: “It’s a bit weird, but to be fair most people seem to be wearing the same outfit as everyone else anyway, what’s the harm in making it a bit more formal.”

This opinion was opposed by April May, a third year politics and IR student, who said: “There’s always that one group who come to their 9ams in a full suit, tie and all, I don’t think we should be encouraging that behaviour. I always thought it was some sort of initiation or ritual, either way it doesn’t seem normal.”

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A UoE insider revealed to The Edinburgh Tab that alternative designs were considered, including versions that took into account student and city wide trends. One design that was quickly removed from contention involved a Batman logo on the tie instead of Dusty, presumably a nod towards Edinburgh’s infamous “Batman suit man”.

Other designs included black leather jackets and sunglasses, but these were declined over fears that they would overwhelm What Are You Wearing Wednesday’s and lead to overcrowding in the queue for Uplands Roast.

You should probably check the date, you April fools!