Format of a thesis
Note that some of the requirements on format are to make it easier for the examiners, and the Library, when handling printed copies of the thesis. Those formats that are not specific to printed copies, need also be present in the digital copy. This will normally happen automatically as you convert your file into PDF format.
Paper
- Printed copies of your thesis should be on good quality bond A4 paper (i.e. 21cm x 29.7cm)
- Other sizes should be adopted only by specific agreement with your supervisor and if demanded by the technical requirements of presentation of particular material (e.g. a large body of tables with
material consistently more than 25cm in depth; a text consistently employing long footnotes or Fine Arts Diploma theses where visual presentation may form an integral part of the work).
Margins
- The binding margin of each sheet should not be less than 2.5cm wide
- The other three margins should not be less than 2cm wide. During binding these edges will be trimmed and text closer to the margin than this is in danger of being lost.
- When a thesis is being printed on only one side of each sheet, the left hand margin is the binding margin and page numbers should be placed on the top right hand corner or centre of the page.
Page numbers
- Page numbers should appear on every sheet except the title and contents page
- All interleaved sheets e.g. illustrations, maps, diagrams should be included in the main sequence of numbered pages, as should References and Appendices.
- If there is insufficient space for a caption underneath the illustration, it may be inserted on the reverse side of the preceding page, facing the illustration to which it refers.
- Subnumbering of sheets (e.g. 79a, 79b etc) should be avoided unless there is a need to make last minute additions to the text.
Font size
- Font size should not be less than 10 point.
- Times New Roman is the preferred font, but Courier is also acceptable.
- Theses written in scientific subjects may require specialized fonts such as LaTeX, Computer Modern Roman or New Century font. Students in these departments should check on departmental requirements.
Line spacing
- The thesis should be printed in 1.5 or double spacing.
- In closer spaced material, e.g. notes, spacing should not be less than standard single spacing.
Illustrations and diagrams
- All illustrations and diagrams should be scanned and incorporated into the electronic version of the document before printing. If this is not possible illustrations and diagrams should be produced on paper of a similar size and quality to the main text. When this is also not possible they should be mounted on a heavier grade of paper than is used for the text to avoid wrinkling.
- If inserted diagrams are included on paper of less than standard size, these inserts should be staggered between pages to avoid bulking the volume unnecessarily at any one point.
- When planning the positioning of illustrations leave sufficient space on the same sheet for any description or notes to accompany them.
- Be sure to leave sufficient left hand margin for the binding of illustrations.
- Where tabulated material requires more space than is available on one sheet of paper, and cannot easily be displayed on two or more separate sheets, a larger sheet, appropriately folded may be used. All folds should be inside and no closer than 2cm to the outer edges of the main body of volumes; otherwise they may be cut during binding.
- Tables, which need to be folded, should be arranged so that they open downwards and to the right, but maps should be folded so that they open to the top and right. When your thesis involves a quantity of folded illustrations, diagrams or maps, it is preferable to house these in a special pocket placed at the end of the text or in a specially made case.