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Thesis / dissertation formatting manual (2024).

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UCI Libraries maintains the following  templates to assist in formatting your graduate manuscript. If you are formatting your manuscript in Microsoft Word, feel free to download and use the template. If you would like to see what your manuscript should look like, PDFs have been provided. If you are formatting your manuscript using LaTex, UCI maintains a template on OverLeaf.

• Word: Annotated Template (Dissertation) 2025 Microsoft Word document of a template with annotations of what to look out for.
• PDF: Annotated Template (Dissertation) 2025 PDF of a template with annotations of what to look out for.
• Word: Thesis Template 2025 Editable template of the Master's thesis formatting.
• PDF: Thesis Template 2025 PDF template of the Master's thesis formatting (not editable).
• Word: Dissertation Template 2025 Editable Microsoft Word template of the PhD Dissertation formatting.
• PDF: Dissertation Template 2025 PDF template of the PhD Dissertation formatting (not editable).
• Overleaf (LaTex) Template
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Home » Thesis Format – Templates and Samples

Thesis Format – Templates and Samples

• Table of Contents

A thesis format provides a structured framework for presenting research in an organized and academically acceptable manner. It ensures consistency in layout, style, and structure, enabling readers to navigate and understand the document effectively. Whether you are working on an undergraduate thesis, master’s dissertation, or doctoral dissertation, adhering to the correct thesis format is crucial for academic success.

This article explains the essential components of a thesis, provides examples of templates, and includes tips for creating a polished and well-structured document.

Thesis Format

A thesis format refers to the standardized layout and presentation style required for a thesis. It governs elements like font, margins, chapter organization, and referencing style, ensuring that the thesis meets institutional or academic publication standards.

Key Features of a Thesis Format:

• Consistency: Creates a uniform presentation throughout the document.
• Readability: Provides clarity and ease of navigation for readers.
• Compliance: Aligns with institutional guidelines and academic standards.

For example, a university might require 1-inch margins, Times New Roman font size 12, double-spacing, and APA referencing style for all submitted theses.

Components of a Thesis Format

1. title page.

The title page includes the thesis title, author’s name, institution, department, supervisor’s name, and submission date. Some institutions may also require the inclusion of their logo.

Example Title Page:

Title: Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Education Author: Jane Doe Institution: University of Excellence Program: Master of Science in Computer Science Submission Date: August 2024

2. Abstract

The abstract is a concise summary (150–300 words) that highlights the research objectives, methodology, key findings, and implications. It serves as a snapshot of the entire thesis for readers.

3. Acknowledgments

This optional section allows the author to express gratitude to individuals or organizations that supported their research.

4. Table of Contents

The table of contents lists all chapters, sections, and subsections along with their corresponding page numbers. This section ensures easy navigation for readers.

Example Table of Contents:

• Introduction ……………………………………….. 1
• Literature Review …………………………….. 10
• Methodology ……………………………………. 25
• Results ……………………………………………. 40
• Discussion ……………………………………….. 55
• Conclusion ……………………………………… 70 References ………………………………………………. 80 Appendices ………………………………………………. 90

5. List of Figures and Tables

This section lists all figures and tables in the document, along with their titles and page numbers.

6. Main Body

The main body is the core of the thesis and includes the following sections:

a. Introduction

• Provides background information and context for the research.
• States the research problem, objectives, and questions.
• Outlines the structure of the thesis.

b. Literature Review

• Summarizes and critically evaluates existing research related to the topic.
• Identifies gaps in knowledge and justifies the research.

c. Methodology

• Describes the research design, data collection methods, and analytical techniques used.
• Includes ethical considerations and limitations of the study.

d. Results/Findings

• Presents data in an organized manner using tables, charts, and graphs.
• Focuses on key patterns, trends, and insights.

e. Discussion

• Interprets the findings in relation to the research objectives and existing literature.
• Highlights implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research.

f. Conclusion

• Summarizes the key findings and their significance.
• Reiterates how the research contributes to the field.

7. References/Bibliography

Lists all sources cited in the thesis in the required referencing style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). This section ensures proper attribution and academic integrity.

8. Appendices

Includes supplementary materials such as raw data, questionnaires, interview transcripts, or additional figures.

Thesis Outline

• Thesis Title
• Author’s Name
• Institution Name
• Department/Faculty
• Supervisor’s Name
• Submission Date

A brief summary (150–300 words) covering the research problem, objectives, methods, key findings, and significance.

3. Acknowledgments (Optional)

Expressions of gratitude to individuals or organizations that supported your research.

Lists all sections, chapters, and sub-sections with their corresponding page numbers.

5. List of Figures and Tables (If applicable)

Includes titles and page numbers for all figures and tables used in the thesis.

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study 1.2 Research Problem 1.3 Research Objectives 1.4 Research Questions 1.5 Scope of the Study 1.6 Significance of the Study 1.7 Organization of the Thesis

Chapter 2: Literature Review

2.1 Theoretical Framework 2.2 Review of Related Studies 2.3 Identification of Research Gaps

Chapter 3: Methodology

3.1 Research Design 3.2 Sampling Techniques 3.3 Data Collection Methods 3.4 Analytical Tools and Techniques 3.5 Ethical Considerations

Chapter 4: Results/Findings

4.1 Presentation of Data (Tables, Graphs, Charts) 4.2 Analysis and Interpretation of Results

Chapter 5: Discussion

5.1 Summary of Findings 5.2 Comparison with Existing Literature 5.3 Implications of the Findings 5.4 Limitations of the Study

Chapter 6: Conclusion and Recommendations

6.1 Summary of Key Points 6.2 Recommendations for Practice or Policy 6.3 Suggestions for Future Research

7. References

A comprehensive list of all sources cited in the thesis, formatted according to the required referencing style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).

8. Appendices (If applicable)

Includes supplementary materials such as raw data, survey questionnaires, interview transcripts, or additional figures.

Thesis Format Templates

Template 1: standard thesis format.

• Acknowledgments
• List of Figures and Tables
• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Methodology
• Results/Findings

Template 2: APA Style Thesis Format

• Title Page formatted according to APA style.
• Abstract limited to 250 words.
• References following APA citation guidelines.
• Appendices for additional materials.

Tips for Formatting a Thesis

• Follow Institutional Guidelines: Always refer to the specific requirements provided by your institution or department.
• Use Consistent Styles: Ensure uniformity in headings, fonts, and spacing throughout the document.
• Leverage Technology: Use word processing tools like Microsoft Word or LaTeX to create templates and manage references.
• Proofread Carefully: Check for grammatical errors, formatting inconsistencies, and missing references.
• Consult Examples: Review well-structured theses from your institution for guidance.

A well-organized thesis format is essential for presenting research professionally and effectively. By adhering to a structured format and incorporating all necessary components—such as the title page, abstract, methodology, and references—students can ensure their thesis meets academic standards. Using templates and examples as guides, along with careful attention to detail, simplifies the process and ensures a polished final document.

• Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches . Sage Publications.
• Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills . University of Michigan Press.
• Turabian, K. L. (2018). A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations . University of Chicago Press.
• American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
• The University of Cambridge. (2023). Thesis Formatting Guidelines . [Online resource from institutional repository].

About the author

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Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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University Thesis and Dissertation Templates

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Theses and dissertations are already intensive, long-term projects that require a lot of effort and time from their authors. Formatting for submission to the university is often the last thing that graduate students do, and may delay earning the relevant degree if done incorrectly.

Below are some strategies graduate students can use to deal with institutional formatting requirements to earn their degrees on time.

Disciplinary conventions are still paramount.

Scholars in your own discipline are the most common readers of your dissertation; your committee, too, will expect your work to match with their expectations as members of your field. The style guide your field uses most commonly is always the one you should follow, and if your field uses conventions such as including all figures and illustrations at the end of the document, you should do so. After these considerations are met, move on to university formatting. Almost always, university formatting only deals with things like margins, font, numbering of chapters and sections, and illustrations; disciplinary style conventions in content such as APA's directive to use only last names of authors in-text are not interfered with by university formatting at all.

Use your university's formatting guidelines and templates to your advantage.

If your institution has a template for formatting your thesis or dissertation that you can use, do so. Don't look at another student's document and try to replicate it yourself. These templates typically have the necessary section breaks and styles already in the document, and you can copy in your work from your existing draft using the style pane in MS Word to ensure you're using the correct formatting (similarly with software such as Overleaf when writing in LaTeX, templates do a lot of the work for you). It's also often easier for workers in the offices that deal with theses and dissertations to help you with your work if you're using their template — they are familiar with these templates and can often navigate them more proficiently.

These templates also include placeholders for all front matter you will need to include in your thesis or dissertation, and may include guidelines for how to write these. Front matter includes your table of contents, acknowledgements, abstract, abbreviation list, figure list, committee page, and (sometimes) academic history or CV; everything before your introduction is front matter. Since front matter pages such as the author's academic history and dissertation committee are usually for the graduate school and not for your department, your advisor might not remember to have you include them. Knowing about them well before your deposit date means you won't be scrambling to fill in placeholders at the last minute or getting your work returned for revision from the graduate school.

Consider institutional formatting early and often.

Many graduate students leave this aspect of submitting their projects until it's almost too late to work on it, causing delays in obtaining their degree. Simply being aware that this is a task you'll have to complete and making sure you know where templates are, who you can ask for help in your graduate office or your department, and what your institution's guidelines are can help alleviate this issue. Once you know what you'll be expected to do to convert to university formatting, you can set regular check-in times for yourself to do this work in pieces rather than all at once (for instance, when you've completed a chapter and had it approved by your chair). 

Consider fair use for images and other third-party content.

Most theses and dissertations are published through ProQuest or another publisher (Harvard, for instance, uses their own open publishing service). For this reason, it may be the case that your institution requires all images or other content obtained from other sources to fall under fair use rules or, if an image is not considered under fair use, you'll have to obtain permission to print it in your dissertation. Your institution should have more guidance on their specific expectations for fair use content; knowing what these guidelines are well in advance of your deposit date means you won't have to make last-minute changes or removals to deposit your work.

FREE Thesis Templates

Elevate your academic work with Thesis Templates from Template.net. Our templates are designed to help you structure your thesis meticulously, from proposal to final submission. Fully editable and customizable, they allow you to organize your research, arguments, and findings effectively using our Ai Editor Tool. Achieve excellence in your scholarly pursuits with structured and professional documentation.

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Download unlimited thesis Templates!

Thesis/Dissertation Templates and Forms

Below you will find Microsoft Word templates and examples you can use for formatting your thesis/dissertation. These files are formatted to meet all the requirements of the Graduate College. Additionally, the templates contain detailed instructions for using them to ensure that your thesis/dissertation is formatted correctly. However, even when using the templates, it is possible to accidentally re-format some content.

For best results, turn on hidden characters by clicking the ¶ (paragraph) symbol in the Home ribbon of Microsoft Word. When pasting text into the template, right-click where you want to paste the text, and then select the “Paste text only” option to clear all formatting attributes from the source document. Use the  formatting checklist  to check that all of your content is formatted according to Graduate College requirements. Finally,  schedule a format check  with a CCE thesis/dissertation consultant to get feedback on your formatting.

Selecting the right template

• The REFERENCES and APPENDICES are at the end of the paper.
• Chapters with content rewritten from previously published journal papers are allowed since they would be considered different from the original publications. Be sure to cite the published works to avoid self-plagiarism. Contact us for clarification. 
• The first chapter must be CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTIONS.
• The last chapter must be CHAPTER X. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.
• The number of chapters in between will be determined by the POS Committee.
• The "Modified" statement in the template only addresses the changes in the formatting, not content. 
• If you are changing content, e.g. excluding or rewriting subsections, you may be looking at the Traditional Template style. Contact us for clarification. 
• The references and appendices must be included with the respective chapters instead of after the CHAPTER X. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.
• Select  Journal Article Thesis Template (Single Chapter Only)  if there is only one manuscript or published article
• Fine Arts and Non-Traditional Thesis Dissertation Template : Select this template if your thesis/dissertation requires different typography to meet the discipline's guidelines. For example, a playwright may include different fonts.

Useful Tips

• Starting with the right template instead of copying and pasting from a different document can avoid conflicts in the presets.
• For some disciplines, it can be confusing to choose between the Traditional or Journal Article templates. Contact us for clarification. We will discuss different factors before presenting you with options.
• For best results, turn on hidden characters by clicking the ¶ (paragraph) symbol in the Home ribbon of Microsoft Word. When pasting text into the template, right-click where you want to paste the text, and then select the “Paste text only” option to clear all formatting attributes from the source document.
• Download and use the  Thesis Dissertation Self-Check Formatting Checklist  to check that all of your content is formatted according to Graduate College requirements.
• Schedule a format check  with a CCE thesis/dissertation consultant to get feedback on your formatting.

I. Microsoft Word Templates

Below you will find three Microsoft Word templates and examples you can use for formatting your thesis/dissertation. These files are formatted to meet all the requirements of the Graduate College. Additionally, the templates contain detailed instructions for using them to ensure that your thesis/dissertation is formatted correctly. 

• Traditional  Thesis Dissertation Template  MS Word  |  Adobe PDF
• Please note that this Single-Article Only template cannot be used if the thesis has other research details plus one article/manuscript. For example, if there is a literature review chapter plus a journal-style chapter, the full Journal Article Thesis Dissertation Template must be used, and the literature review chapter must be formatted like a journal-style chapter.
• If unsure which Journal Article template to use, please check with Lily Compton,  [email protected] .
• Fine Arts/Non-Traditional  Thesis Dissertation Template  MS Word * | Adobe PDF 

(*This is a draft template. Some instructions may not reflect the final formatting guideline. Please make  an appointment for a Format Check .)

Quick access to  Thesis Dissertation Self-Check Formatting Checklist

II. LaTex Templates

All Iowa State University students, faculty and staff are entitled to claim a Professional Overleaf account, using LaTex for writing and publishing their projects, presentations, and research papers.  Claim your account here . If you already have an Overleaf free account, you can use your ISU e-mail to establish a Professional account.

Templates are also provided below for theses and dissertations formatted in LaTeX.

• Visit  ISU’s Overleaf website   to retrieve the most current updates on the style and class files.
• Follow the instructions and comments in the template to avoid adding conflicting lines of code.
• Check for common issues from this  FAQ page .

Additional LaTex Resources

• FAQ Isuthesis

Forms 

Templates for forms are also provided below.

• SHARED CONSENT FORM

The Shared Consent Form should be included as an Appendix if a thesis/dissertation chapter is co-authored by two or more graduate students who may also include the same chapter in their theses/dissertations. If student co-authors do not intend to include the manuscript as a chapter in their theses/dissertations, this form is not required. Students should discuss with their major professors and follow the instructions within the templates.

• Shared Consent Form (Template 1: by percentages)  MS Word  |  Adobe PDF
• Shared Consent Form (Template 2: by roles)  MS Word  |  Adobe PDF

NOTE: If the student and major professor decide that the form is not required, be sure to indicate it under "Student Notes to Administrator" when submitting the thesis/dissertation in ProQuest.

• PUBLISHING AGREEMENT

The Publishing Agreement will be provided to graduate students at the time they create a new submission in ProQuest. It is important that graduate students review the publishing agreement while they are preparing their theses/dissertations because they will need to obtain all necessary permissions for third-party content.

Examples of materials created or owned by third parties include but are not limited to photographs, extensive quotations, figures, and tables. Previous publications may also require permission from the journal or book publisher if copyright has been transferred.

• Publishing Agreement

NOTE: No signatures are necessary for this publication agreement. Graduate students should review the document early so that they are prepared to fully accept the terms when they are ready to create a new submission in ProQuest. They must check the box in ProQuest next to the statement [I have read, understand, and agree to this University Agreement] before they can proceed to upload their submission.

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The templates below have been built to ensure a consistent look among most theses and dissertations submitted to OGSPS. These templates should be used as a guide in formatting your thesis or dissertation with the understanding that your department may require modifications of the template to fit your discipline’s style. Please contact your department’s Format Advisor to discuss any necessary changes.

The Thesis & Dissertation Office recommends using the PurdueThesis.cls file.

Please take note that Overleaf SHOULD NOT be used for writing, editing, or publishing documents or research papers that contain data subject to EAR, ITAR, DFARS Clause 252.204-7012, and other controlled data designators due to the increased security required for these types of data.

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Sign up for your FREE Overleaf  Pro+ account today and access the PurdueThesis.cls!

Please download one of the following templates to begin your thesis/dissertation. Formatting within each template is already set up for your convenience. Be sure to paste your Word document INTO the template. Otherwise, it can cause formatting issues.

You will need to select the appropriate answer for all dropdown boxes on page 1.  Ex. Thesis/Dissertation, Choose Degree, Choose Department, Choose Campus Location, Choose Graduation Term.

You will need to manually input your committee information on page 2. We ask that you only list your committee member's primary department. The name after "Approved by:" should match the name listed on your Form 9 as "Thesis Form Head".

Follow instructions within the template to complete the rest of your thesis/dissertation. Please be careful when making changes so that you do not override/change the template formatting.

Please contact us if your department is not listed, or with other questions. 

Last modified June 24, 2024.

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Formatting Templates and Requirements

• Home  /  Graduate and Postdoctoral Success  /  Formatting Templates and Requirements

The Graduate School has a formatting template, preparation guidelines, and frequently asked questions to assist you in correctly formatting your document.

You are strongly encouraged to download and use the template, as well as read through the, before you begin formatting your manuscript. DO NOT use a former student’s document to format your thesis/dissertation . Always use the current semester’s template to format your document.

Formatting Templates

Download the template that serves your needs and the needs of your document.

Microsoft Word Templates

Available for all document types.

• Each template provides proper formatting for an acceptable final document, as well as additional instructions provided in red text (please delete this red text in your final version).
• You can either work within the downloaded document, replacing the template text with your own text, or you can use the template as a guide in formatting your own Word document. Either way, pay careful attention to the default spacing, typeface, pagination, and required elements.

LaTeX Standard Template

For LaTeX and LyX users. The template was kindly created for The Graduate School by Dr. Weining Zhang.

• The LaTeX template is only available for the Standard Template document type; however, it can be modified by the user to meet the specifications of the other document types (download the Word version of the template you wish to use for reference).
• Please note: While The Graduate School/Library staff can conduct a draft review of documents created with this template, we do not offer technical support for LaTeX.
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Template Downloads

• Standard Templates
• 3-Essay / Multi-Essay Templates

The template used for most thesis & dissertation documents. It is designed for documents comprised of a single manuscript (presented in chapters), appendix, and references section. All are .docx unless indicated otherwise.

Standard Template

Standard Template (LaTex package)

Special Versions

BME Standard Template*

Translational Science Standard Template**

*Template required for Biomedical Engineering students. **Template required for Translational Science students.

This template is designed for documents comprised of two or more distinct essays, which will each be broken into chapters and presented with their own appendices and references. It is also suitable for single manuscripts wherein each chapter needs to have its own appendices and references presented alongside it, rather than having all appendices/references at the end of the document. (In this instance, each chapter would be treated, formatting-wise, as an essay.)

3-Essay / Multi-Essay Template

BME 3-Essay / Multi-Essay Template*

Translational Science 3-Essay / Multi-Essay Template**

Formatting Assistance

Preliminary Draft Reviews

Formatting and Submission Resources

Thesis and Dissertation Formatting and Submission Webinar

A recording of the Thesis & Dissertation Formatting and Submission webinar is available on The Graduate School’s YouTube page . This comprehensive webinar covers both the Standard Template and 3-Essay/Multi-Essay template. It discusses:

• The Graduate School's required formatting
• Review of the formatting template
• Final Deadlines
• Preliminary Draft process
• Final submission requirements

Questions about formatting can also be directed to The Graduate School staff via  [email protected] .

Note: The Graduate School does not offer tech support for Microsoft Word or LaTeX but is available to answer basic formatting questions or specific questions about merging your document’s requirements with the template requirements.

Citation Management

Because we do not read the content of your thesis or dissertation, The Graduate School and UTSA Libraries do not check your citations. You must follow the citation style recommended by your graduate program; if you are unsure of what citation style to use, please contact your supervising professor as citation styles vary by academic disciplines. The UTSA Library supplies a list of Citation Styles by Academic Discipline .

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Tools & Templates - Frequently Asked Questions

Are these templates and tools really free.

Yes . These templates and tools form part of the many free resources we provide to students. There are no costs or contractual obligations.

If you’re looking for more dissertation and thesis-related information, be sure to visit our blog and YouTube channel for lots of free content.

Can I edit the templates?

Yes. The templates are provided in MS Word format (DOCX), so you can edit the files to suit your specific needs.

Can I share the templates?

You’re welcome to share these templates with your friends or colleagues in their original form via email or chat .

If you wish to wish to share the templates on your website or anywhere else on the public web, please link to this page instead .

Should I follow the templates verbatim?

The templates are based on standardized chapter structures, but the exact structure and layout required by your university may differ. Therefore, it’s always best to review the specific requirements of your university and program before settling on a structure.

What's the difference between the full template and the chapter templates?

The full dissertation/thesis template provides a high-level outline structure, whereas the individual chapter templates provide more detail.

If you’re just starting the writing process, the former could help you structure your outline document and get a feel for how it all fits together, whereas the latter (chapter-specific templates) can be used as you approach each chapter.

What if I need more help?