Can I choose a colour other than bordeaux for my Medicine thesis?

Yes, the graduation committee imposes no colour constraints. Bordeaux is the convention, but navy blue, black and purple red are all accepted. Just check that your supervisor has no explicit personal preferences.

What is the thesis colour at Cattolica Gemelli?

Dark bordeaux with gold foil printing, optionally with the university's heraldic crest on the back cover.

Does a Nursing thesis use the same colour as Medicine?

Often yes, bordeaux. But at Tor Vergata Nursing is traditionally associated with dark green. Check with your course coordinator.

Can I use silver foil instead of gold on a bordeaux cover?

Yes, it is a modern choice that is increasingly requested. It works very well especially on clinical research theses.

Should I use bordeaux for Dentistry and Pharmacy?

Yes, bordeaux remains the dominant choice. Pharmacy also accepts garnet red (more orange-toned), while Dentistry can use a lighter bordeaux.

How much does it cost to print a Medicine thesis with a bordeaux hardcover and gold foil?

The price depends on the number of pages. At GUUG the hardcover is ready in 2 hours in store, or you can order online with 24-48h shipping. Configure it online on the dedicated page or drop by Via di Porta Castello 29.

◆ Thesis colours

Medical thesis cover colour: bordeaux and variants

Thesis cover colour for Medicine: the traditional bordeaux plus variants for Sapienza, Cattolica Gemelli and Campus Bio-Medico. Gold or silver foil.

GUUG · May 2026

◆ In short

For Medicine and Surgery the traditional cover colour is dark bordeaux (close to #722f37), usually paired with gold foil. No university mandates it by regulation: it is a faculty tradition. Navy blue, black and purple red are all accepted too, with room to personalise depending on the university (Sapienza, Cattolica Gemelli, Campus Bio-Medico, Tor Vergata).

The traditional colour: dark bordeaux

You are graduating in Medicine or Surgery and have to decide the colour of your thesis cover. Dark bordeaux is the traditional choice, but there is room to personalise.

Bordeaux and dark red are the traditional colours of the medical faculty: they stand for vitality, health and the importance of caring for life. It is one of the most requested colours in Rome, home to Sapienza, Cattolica Gemelli, Campus Bio-Medico and Tor Vergata.

Dark bordeaux

Traditional colour of the medical faculty

Deep bordeaux, the canonical choice for a Medicine thesis. It stands for vitality, health and care for life. Usually paired with gold foil.

Differences between Sapienza, Cattolica and Tor Vergata

Sapienza – Medicine and Surgery

Classic dark bordeaux

The canonical choice at Sapienza is deep bordeaux (colour code close to #722f37), with gold foil for the logo and title. Some students opt for the silver-foil variant for a more modern touch.

Cattolica del Sacro Cuore – Policlinico Gemelli

Bordeaux with gold accents

A deeply felt tradition: bordeaux with the title and candidate's name in gold foil. Some graduands add the university's heraldic crest in gold on the back cover.

Campus Bio-Medico

Bordeaux or navy blue

Traditionally bordeaux, but some departments (Biomedical Engineering, Bioethics) accept navy blue. Lettering preferably in gold foil or contrasting white.

Tor Vergata – Medicine

Bordeaux or dark green

At Tor Vergata two traditions coexist: bordeaux for classic Medicine and Surgery, dark green for Sports Medicine and Nursing Sciences. Gold foil in both cases.

Colour + foil combinations for Medicine

The hardcover allows foil printing in 7 colours. For Medicine the most chosen combinations are:

Bordeaux + gold foil

Peak classicism, perfect for a defence before a traditionalist committee.

Bordeaux + silver foil

An elegant, modern solution, great for clinical research theses.

Bordeaux + white foil

A strong colour contrast, a less common choice but visually striking.

Bordeaux + bronze foil

A warm tone that softens the bordeaux, an intimate choice.

When to deviate from bordeaux

For highly experimental Medicine theses (translational research, immunotherapy, genomics) some students choose navy blue or black, colours associated with scientific research rather than clinical practice. For Dentistry and Pharmacy bordeaux stays dominant, but garnet red (darker and more orange-toned) is also accepted. For Veterinary Medicine the tradition is purple red, with warmer undertones than pure bordeaux.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose a colour other than bordeaux for my Medicine thesis?: Yes, the graduation committee imposes no colour constraints. Bordeaux is the convention, but navy blue, black and purple red are all accepted. Just check that your supervisor has no explicit personal preferences.
What is the thesis colour at Cattolica Gemelli?: Dark bordeaux with gold foil printing, optionally with the university's heraldic crest on the back cover.
Does a Nursing thesis use the same colour as Medicine?: Often yes, bordeaux. But at Tor Vergata Nursing is traditionally associated with dark green. Check with your course coordinator.
Can I use silver foil instead of gold on a bordeaux cover?: Yes, it is a modern choice that is increasingly requested. It works very well especially on clinical research theses.
Should I use bordeaux for Dentistry and Pharmacy?: Yes, bordeaux remains the dominant choice. Pharmacy also accepts garnet red (more orange-toned), while Dentistry can use a lighter bordeaux.
How much does it cost to print a Medicine thesis with a bordeaux hardcover and gold foil?: The price depends on the number of pages. At GUUG the hardcover is ready in 2 hours in store, or you can order online with 24-48h shipping. Configure it online on the dedicated page or drop by Via di Porta Castello 29.

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