Durham University reinstates in-person exams with students in mandatory academic dress

A leaked email has revealed that all Durham University examinations will be conducted in person, with students required to wear academic dress to be allowed into exam halls.

This change comes in light of concern over students’ ability to access Generative AI resources during online 24-hour exams, and is aimed at “returning to solemnity” in the examination period.

“Sub fusc”, a form of academic dress traditionally worn at the University 0f Oxford, is to become a staple of the Durham examination season, with all students expected to wear black and white academic dress with an optional purple carnation.

The leaked email, seen exclusively by The Durham Tab, argues that the “strict dress code” aims to “establish a new and inspiring tradition.”

An anonymous source within the university exclusively told The Durham Tab: “The dress code will be mandatory and it will be enforced effectively. This decision aims to establish a new set of traditions in line with Durham’s historical image, as well as giving exams the solemnity required. Put simply, this is a clear way to maintain academic standards.

“These measures will also create a sense of social cohesion, which will reduce pressure and expectations around student clothing – while also reducing distractions – in the exam context.

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“AI was a leading cause of these decisions, as the team were looking for ways to work around the increased used of Generative AI in the last year. In person examinations – particularly ones with rigorous academic standards (represented through our new Durham “sub fusc”) – are necessary to ensuring the academic integrity of the institution at large.

“We anticipate that this decision may not be popular with some students at first, but ultimately this decision remains in the interests of both the university and those undertaking examinations as part of their degree courses.”

A number of Durham students have spoken to The Durham Tab to express concerns over the university’s bid to “maintain academic standards” through mandatory academic dress.

One student, Massif Hoakes, a fourth year studying engineering, said: “This is genuinely ridiculous. You can’t just create a new anachronistic tradition in 2026 and expect people to roll with it. Plus, it seems like a waste of university resources to make all exams in-person when the 24-hour format has worked so well.”

A second year English student, Polly Graf, said: “I feel betrayed as I didn’t expect to do in-person exams – especially not while looking like a medieval pageboy. It’s an absolute joke. And Oxford must think we are begging it.”

Some students had different reactions, instead supporting the changes. Joe King, a first year politics student, said: “In a world of AI, in-person exams are pretty necessary to discern whose work is actually being submitted. As for the academic dress, since us Durham students want to be Oxbridge so bad this is really what we asked for.”

You should probably check the date, you April fools!