Oxford University Exams

2 Professors in Sub Fusc

Throughout Hilary (spring) and Trinity  (summer) Term, you will see university students taking their final exams. The students are distinctive by their sub fusc (black gown and mortar board) which they have to wear for doing exams.

If a student is doing his first exam they will often wear a white carnation.
A pink carnation means they are in the middle of their exams. A red carnation means that it is their last exam.

Traditionally students celebrate the end of their exams with being bombarded with flour, eggs and champagne. However following complaints from locals, the university proctors have outlawed this practise. Nevertheless the tradition dies hard and in surrounding lanes you may see packets of empty flour as students evade the scrutiny of the university proctors. Students who get caught can be fined a modest amount. But, such is the relief of finishing exams, fines appear little deterant.

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