Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity or Baccalaureate in Divinity (BD or BDiv; ) is an undergraduate or postgraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies. In most modern universities, the BD as a first degree is essentially equivalent to a Bachelor of Arts degree with a speciality in divinity. Relatively few institutions award undergraduate Bachelor of Divinity degrees today, and the distinction between institutions that do award such degrees and those that award BA degrees for theological subjects is usually one of bureaucracy rather than curriculum.
Academic dress of University of Melbourne
The hoods are all black
lined with the colour specified for the relevant faculty or degree,
and bound with white (on the lower edge) for bachelors,
and no binding for masters. The faculty or degree colours are specified in the University Regulations.
Formerly, Pass degrees were bound in
fur and Honours
in silk
— however the distinction no longer exists.
Bachelors wear an Oxford Bachelors gown,
and Masters an Oxford Masters gown.
The undergraduate gown is the same as the bachelors,
but the sleeves must not be split.
Masters
may wear the mortar board, however undergraduate students and Bachelors are not permitted to wear the mortar board. This rule is strictly applied and extends to graduation photography as well as the ceremony itself.