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TOFF THEIR HEADS

Oxford University students swig from bottles and cover their dapper robes in foam and silly string for annual ‘trashing’ ceremony

Tradition dating back to 1990s has come in for criticism due to its rowdy nature

OXFORD University students toast the end of their studies - by getting very messy while guzzling champagne.

The undergraduates emerged from exam halls covered in shaving foam and silly string as part of the tradition known as trashing.

A female undergraduate is plastered in shaving foam during celebrations at the end of her exams
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A female undergraduate is plastered in shaving foam during celebrations at the end of her examsCredit: Rex Features
A student in a party hat and dicky bow sinks fizzy wine straight from the bottle
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A student in a party hat and dicky bow sinks fizzy wine straight from the bottleCredit: Rex Features
University regulations require students to wear formal dress while taking exams
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University regulations require students to wear formal dress while taking examsCredit: Rex Features
One student whose clothes appear to be soaking guzzles booze straight from the bottle in the middle of a street
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One student whose clothes appear to be soaking guzzles booze straight from the bottle in the middle of a street

Dating back to the 1990s it sees friends of students taking their finals surround the exit to the Examinations Schools in Oxford city centre.

As their pals emerge they are covered in shaving foam, silly string and soaked in champagne.

The antics have come in for heavy criticism over the years with university officials attempting to outlaw them.

After students left a trail of rotten food, vomit and broken glass behind them following the celebrations four years ago university proctors branded them a “disgrace”.

Another incident saw one female student was reportedly fined £80 for rubbing a trifle in a friend’s face.

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Students taking their final exam can be easily identified by a red flower worn on their ceremonial gown.

In 2015, Oxford University Students' Union voted overwhelmingly in favour of keeping the centuries-old tradition of wearing formal clothes to exams.

Opponents claimed it contributed to the perception of the university as elitist.

But in a referendum 75 per cent voted to keep the signature sartorial look for exams.

As they leave their exam halls students are covered in shaving foam and silly string by pals waiting for them
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As they leave their exam halls students are covered in shaving foam and silly string by pals waiting for themCredit: Rex Features
The tradition known as 'trashing' dates back to the 1990s
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The tradition known as 'trashing' dates back to the 1990sCredit: Rex Features
One female student celebrates the end of her undergraduate career with a giant bottle of alcopops
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One female student celebrates the end of her undergraduate career with a giant bottle of alcopops
This student clutches a can of silly string in one hand and a bottle of booze in the other
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This student clutches a can of silly string in one hand and a bottle of booze in the otherCredit: Rex Features
The antics have come in for heavy criticism over the years with university officials attempting to outlaw them
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The antics have come in for heavy criticism over the years with university officials attempting to outlaw themCredit: Rex Features
This pair of students had their traditional togs covered in red paint following the end of their exams
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This pair of students had their traditional togs covered in red paint following the end of their examsCredit: Rex Features
Students taking their final exam can be easily identified by a red flower worn on their ceremonial gown
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Students taking their final exam can be easily identified by a red flower worn on their ceremonial gownCredit: Rex Features

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