Right, here are ChatGPT’s shocking costume recommendations based on your Lancs Uni course

Ah, ChatGPT. The AI platform that has risen in popularity over the past year (especially among students). It’s great at giving us answers to those precise questions that Google can never quite answer.

So, we decided to put that to good use by asking AI for Halloween costume ideas based on a few courses here at Lancaster University. However, a warning from us is not to use this as a guide if you’re struggling for last-minute costume ideas….

Law

Don’t worry, those of you studying Law, you don’t need to wear a white wig or hold a gavel, but you will need to wear a robe, according to ChatGPT.

AI decided that your Halloween costume should be “The Ghost of Common Law”. Now, we aren’t entirely sure what this is exactly, so we are hoping those of you who are future lawyers will know. ChatGPT explained the costume necessities:

• Wear a flowing white robe and carry an old law book (or a fake one titled “The Dead Precedents”).

• Add cobwebs, powdered wig, and ghostly makeup.

• Bonus: occasionally moan “But the ratio decidendi still applies…”

ChatGPT certainly went niche with this suggestion, but if we’re being honest, it’s probably better to go as a zombie judge or barrister.

Politics

If you’re studying any area of Politics, we think this AI suggestion is actually clever and could be so funny as a group or alone.

ChatGPT told us:

‘A spooky political debate night where students come dressed as historical or supernatural politicians’

‘Examples:

•Zombie Churchill – keeps reanimating old policies.

•Vampire Thatcher – “still draining the economy dry.”

•Ghost of Karl Marx – appears whenever someone mentions capitalism.

•The Spirit of Brexit – a ghost that keeps trying to leave the room but can’t find the door.

AI did surprisingly well on this idea, may be slightly controversial but at the same time hilarious.’

Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)

STEM students, it’s your turn. Now, with science, we think you can get REALLY creative. You guys can have a really obscure and rogue costume or be really simple and still look cool. 

But now we turn the creativity over to ChatGPT, which suggested a couple of options for each area:

for Physics:

Einstein’s Ghost

•White wig, moustache, lab coat.

• Ghost sheet or pale face paint.

•Quote on back: “E = MC²… or maybe E = Me Creepy².”

For Chemistry:

Acid Spill Victim

•Tattered clothes with neon green stains (use washable paint).

•Rubber gloves and a “Chem 101: Handle With Care” label.

•Concept: gruesome but grounded in lab lore.

For Biology:

DNA Double Helix

•Two scarves or ribbons twisted up your body in a spiral.

• LED fairy lights for a glow effect.

•Concept: “It’s in my genes.” (Pun definitely intended.)

AI have some varied answers here – go crazy.

Engineering

Onto the students who wear protective gear, but for the work they do on the course, not for a costume (although it’s a start to a costume if you want to go as a builder).

We asked ChatGPT, and our survey said (Family Fortunes reference)…

The “Structural Failure”

• Torn high-vis vest, bent ruler, cracked helmet.

• Carry a tiny model bridge that’s clearly collapsed.

• Sign: “I followed all the safety protocols… probably.”

• Add fake caution tape around your shoulders for flair.

• Perfect for: Mechanical engineers.

This is actually not too bad a suggestion from AI – quite an easy and normal costume to conjure up!

English Lit/Lang

Book lovers, now onto you, the idea you were given by AI is quite clever and not too hard to guess! Plus, this idea can be made either really seriously or really sarcastically.

LITERARY CLASSICS REIMAGINED

1. The Ghost of Shakespeare’s Lost Play

• Flowing robe, feather quill, scroll with “Untitled Tragedy” written across it.

• Add makeup like ink smudges and pale face paint.

• Bonus: mutter lines like “To boo or not to boo…”

• Perfect for the Great Hall or a County Bar quiz night.

ChatGPT even included a place to go on campus that would fit the vibe of this costume, now that is creepy…

Art

Now, students on this course are creative enough and asking ChatGPT to help them find a costume just felt wrong. Nevertheless, here is what you should be going as for Halloween based on AI:

“Bob Ross’s Evil Twin”

• Curly wig, fake beard, paint-splattered shirt.

• Carry a palette with red “blood” paint.

• Cheerfully say, “We don’t make mistakes, just accidents.”
  Concept: wholesome meets horror.

A little basic in our opinion, but another one of those costumes that just becomes a meme. But we think you can do better than that.

History

ChatGPT stayed on theme with the university for those of you studying History, and honestly, we’re here for it.

The Pendle Witch (1612)

• Black cloak, tattered shawl, broom, fake herbs or “potion bottles.”

• Add Lancaster Castle trivia on a tag (“Tried here for witchcraft”).

• Concept: historically accurate spookiness — and feminist rebellion.

This could be such a cute outfit, too! AI wins points on this one.

Psychology

Now time for Psychology students, again, similar to art, it seems quite a basic idea from AI. However, also quite an easy costume to make if you’re struggling for ideas…

“Brain & Behaviour / Cognitive Neuroscience”

Dress as your brain (or a brain scientist) or the concept of cognition itself.

Why it fits: One of the core themes of the course is “Brain & behaviour” and “Foundations of Cognitive Neuroscience”.

How to pull it off:

• Wear a grey/silver outfit with a big brain-shaped hat or helmet.

• Attach small LED lights or faux electrodes to the hat to evoke EEG labs (the department has EEG and eye-tracking labs).

• Carry a sign reading “Cognition in progress” or “Process­ing memory…”

• Optional: Add a thought bubble or wearable speech-bubble prop that says something like “I think, therefore I’m spooky”.

Hopefully, this costume doesn’t give you a headache.

Geography

Again, AI has stayed on a theme with the uni’s location. Good for Geography students too, and this costume should be relatively easy, as you probably have most of it to hand.

Field-trip Geographer

• Dress like a fieldwork geographer out in the countryside/coastline.
• Think: hiking boots, waterproof jacket (Lancaster’s near the Lake District/coast so practical), a map or GPS device, maybe a sample bag filled with “rocks” or “soil”. It nods to how Lancaster geography students get hands-on with landscapes

Pretty fitting if you ask us.

Now, unfortunately, we couldn’t fit all the courses on her, but if we haven’t mentioned yours, hop onto ChatGPT and explore what it says about your Halloween costume recommendation and let us know if it’s a flop or not.

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