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• Dissertation

Dissertation title page

Published on 30 May 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 18 October 2022.

The title page (or cover page) of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper should contain all the key information about your document. It usually includes:

• Dissertation or thesis title
• The type of document (e.g., dissertation, research paper )
• The department and institution
• The degree program (e.g., Master of Arts)
• The date of submission

It sometimes also includes your student number, your supervisor’s name, and your university’s logo.

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Table of contents

Title page format, title page templates, title page example, frequently asked questions about title pages.

Your department will usually tell you exactly what should be included on your title page and how it should be formatted. Be sure to check whether there are specific guidelines for margins, spacing, and font size.

Title pages for APA and MLA Style

The format of your title page can also depend on the citation style you’re using. There may be guidelines in regards to alignment, page numbering, and mandatory elements.

• MLA guidelines for formatting the title page
• APA guidelines for formatting the title page

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We’ve created a few templates to help you design the title page for your thesis, dissertation, or research paper. You can download them in the format of your choice by clicking on the corresponding button.

Research paper Google doc

Dissertation Google doc

Thesis Google doc

A typical example of a thesis title page looks like this:

The title page of your thesis or dissertation should include your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date.

The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.

Usually, no title page is needed in an MLA paper . A header is generally included at the top of the first page instead. The exceptions are when:

• Your instructor requires one, or
• Your paper is a group project

In those cases, you should use a title page instead of a header, listing the same information but on a separate page.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

McCombes, S. (2022, October 18). Dissertation title page. Scribbr. Retrieved 14 May 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/title-page/

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MA Thesis Guideline

• MA in Public Policy
• Erasmus Mundus Masters Program in Public Policy
• Master of Arts in International Public Affairs
• Master of Public Administration
• Specializations
• PhD in Political Science, Public Policy Track
• Non-Degree/Exchange Programs

General Overview

One-year MAPP students are required to complete a master’s thesis worth 7 credits.  All theses must address an appropriate research topic, which includes a defined field of research and a number of researchable questions to investigate.

Theses should demonstrate a good knowledge of the literature in the wider field of policy studies and political science (comparative politics, political economy, etc.) and contribute to the study of the field through original research and/or by relating the subject studies to the broader academic literature and demonstrate analytic ability through the careful and critical use of relevant concepts and approaches.

Thesis Requirements 

All students should begin to think about their thesis topic during the Fall term. One-year MAPP students should submit a short description (Thesis Topic and Area of Specialization) of the planned work to the Student Affairs Coordinator (electronic copy by January 24, 2021).

Thesis Topic and Area of Specialization 

This short proposal (two paragraphs to one page) should outline the topic, the preliminary research question, and the methodological approach, in particular if it is likely that the method would require specific forms of faculty support. Based on these research proposals, a supervisor will be assigned to the students , taking into account faculty members’ research interests and expertise.

The supervisor is the student’s primary contact during the research and thesis writing period. Supervisors will provide general guidance, meet the student for consultations, and provide feedback on drafts of (parts of) the thesis/thesis report (please note that supervisors can only comment on full drafts if you allow sufficient time for them to do so). Students will be informed about their assigned supervisors by February 14.

Thesis writing workshop (1 credit)

The Thesis Writing Workshop (1 credit) is a mandatory part of the thesis component for One- year MAPP students. The workshop is meant to help to further develop and shape the MA thesis. Coursework in this seminar will be assessed with a pass/fail grade. To earn a `pass’ students need to regularly attend the class and participate actively. While there are no or very few and short assigned readings, students are expected to submit short pieces of writing related to specific sections of their thesis and topics discussed in class prior to the relevant sessions.

Failing to regularly attend the class and comply with the requirements will be noted in the degree transcript and may result in a reduction of the thesis grade (by 0.2 grades).

The exact format and precise schedule of the workshop will be communicated at the beginning of the winter term.

MA Thesis Research Grants

CEU offers small grants to support master’s thesis research. If interested, students should submit their application to Zoltan Wagner by the following deadline: March 12, 2021.

PLEASE NOTE: These funds are limited and we cannot guarantee that funding will remain available for the second round. 

The application must contain the grant application form, a summary of the project, the research timetable (days and location), a summary of advanced preparations undertaken, the supervisor’s recommendation, and a detailed budget. After the completion of their research, grantees should be prepared to send the empirical raw material (field notes, interview transcripts, etc.) to   Zoltan Wagner . Applicants must also submit a travel grant report and original invoices for all expenses to the CEU Grants Management Office within 30 days of the completion of their research. If the master’s thesis grant is not used according to the budget that was submitted, the University may insist that the grant be refunded.

For further details please visit  https://www.ceu.edu/funding-fees/grants-enrolled

You will also receive emails from the CEU Grants Management Office with additional information about the application requirements for these MA Thesis Research Grants.

Thesis Deadlines

The deadlines for submitting the thesis and the thesis report are strictly observed. Late submission will result in a reduction of the final grade of 0.2 points per business day. Note that an extension of the deadline can only be granted in events  that are beyond the control of the student. Students must apply for an extension of the deadline to the Thesis Supervisor and the Program Director. Students who submit the thesis/thesis report late because of illness need to provide a medical certificate. Practical problems that may have been encountered will not be accepted as a valid excuse for failing to meet the deadline. Please make sure that you submit your thesis well in advance of the deadline in order to avoid potential difficulties.

Thesis submission details

• Electronic version of the entire thesis IN ONE WORD DOCUMENT FILE submitted via email to the Academic Curriculum Coordinator (saved in the following format: student’s family name_ MA Thesis)
• Electronic version of the entire thesis entered in the Electronic Thesis Database (ETD)
• A signed declaration of authorship attached to every printed copy of the thesis and a typed and signed version saved after the title page of each electronic file (for a sample declaration please see  Appendix VI )
• A printed, one sided, copy of the thesis delivered in a sealed envelope (library copy)

Notes : The Computer Center will offer short courses on thesis editing and using the Electronic Thesis Database (ETD) in the Spring term. For more information contact Erika Máthé at [email protected].

The CEU Copy Shop can copy and bind your thesis. It is located on the Ground floor of Oktober 6 street 12. However, due to their heavy workload, they cannot always handle immediate requests. There are also numerous copy services available in Budapest.

Thesis Format  

The total length of the thesis must be 12,000 words (+/– 10%) and include: the title page, copyright notice, table of contents, list of figures, list of abbreviations, acknowledgments, references, abstract (maximum 200 words), footnotes, bibliography and appendices. Tables and figures may be excluded from the word count.

Submitted theses must follow the CEU Thesis Guidelines .  Term papers and theses must follow the referencing system of the Chicago Embedded Style, the most important elements of which are addressed in the Academic Writing for Public Policy course. For detailed information on correct citation please consult the 7th Edition of Turabian’s  A Manual for Writers (available in the library). For a sample cover page see Appendix IV.

Dissertations must include footnotes and a full bibliography of sources that were consulted. Arguments and information drawn from books and articles that were consulted must be acknowledged. Direct quotations should be clearly indicated through the use of quotation marks (“ ”), or through the use of indirect quotations; copying another author’s writing in the text without proper citation is plagiarism and will be penalized.

CEU’s Policy on Plagiarism details plagiarism and related penalties.

Other cases of academic dishonesty are regulated by CEU’s Code of Ethics    

It is recommended that students use a bibliography software to organize references. For more information see: http://www.personal.ceu.hu/comp/endnote.htm.

Thesis Evaluation and Grading  

Two SPP faculty members will read and evaluate the thesis. The thesis grade will be determined based upon their two written evaluations. There will be no oral defense  after thesis submission. The MA Thesis Evaluation Form including the final grade and comments on the dissertation will be provided within four weeks of the submission date for those who submit by the deadline. (For a sample MA Thesis Evaluation Form please see Appendix V . ) For appeals, please see the handbook's section on Appealing a Grade .

The thesis will be graded in line with the University’s thesis grading policy. The following criteria is offered as a guideline for how thesis grades are determined:

The thesis shows originality and a high degree of conceptual sophistication along with critical examination of theoretical and empirical knowledge.

 “A–,” “B+”

The thesis contributes to the existing literature in the field; it shows a complete knowledge of the subject matter and relevant theoretical material, and it demonstrates a clear analytic ability.

“B,” “B–,” “C+”

The thesis has the attributes of a “Pass with Honors” thesis, but at an adequate rather than an excellent level.

Fail / Resubmit

The thesis lacks a thorough knowledge of the subject matter, and it does not relate to the broader academic literature. It neither applies research methods properly, nor demonstrates any analytic ability. The student may be invited to write a new thesis. The maximum grade possible in this circumstance is a Retake Pass (RP in the value of C+).

Fail for academic dishonesty

The thesis work is not original: the thesis (or substantial parts of it) has either been submitted to fulfill the requirements of another degree at CEU or another university or parts of the thesis are plagiarized, and are not the original work of the author.

In case of serious offenses the thesis is graded Fail (F).

In some cases, the thesis may be graded Retake Pass (RP in the value of C+) and the transcript will be flagged for academic dishonesty.

What’s Included: The Dissertation Template

If you’re preparing to write your dissertation, thesis or research project, our free dissertation template is the perfect starting point. In the template, we cover every section step by step, with clear, straightforward explanations and examples .

The template’s structure is based on the tried and trusted best-practice format for formal academic research projects such as dissertations and theses. The template structure reflects the overall research process, ensuring your dissertation or thesis will have a smooth, logical flow from chapter to chapter.

The dissertation template covers the following core sections:

• The title page/cover page
• Abstract (sometimes also called the executive summary)
• Table of contents
• List of figures /list of tables
• Chapter 1: Introduction  (also available: in-depth introduction template )
• Chapter 2: Literature review  (also available: in-depth LR template )
• Chapter 3: Methodology (also available: in-depth methodology template )
• Chapter 4: Research findings /results (also available: results template )
• Chapter 5: Discussion /analysis of findings (also available: discussion template )
• Chapter 6: Conclusion (also available: in-depth conclusion template )
• Reference list

Each section is explained in plain, straightforward language , followed by an overview of the key elements that you need to cover within each section. We’ve also included practical examples to help you understand exactly what’s required in each section.

The cleanly-formatted Google Doc can be downloaded as a fully editable MS Word Document (DOCX format), so you can use it as-is or convert it to LaTeX.

FAQs: Dissertation Template

What format is the template (doc, pdf, ppt, etc.).

The dissertation template is provided as a Google Doc. You can download it in MS Word format or make a copy to your Google Drive. You’re also welcome to convert it to whatever format works best for you, such as LaTeX or PDF.

What types of dissertations/theses can this template be used for?

The template follows the standard best-practice structure for formal academic research projects such as dissertations or theses, so it is suitable for the vast majority of degrees, particularly those within the sciences.

Some universities may have some additional requirements, but these are typically minor, with the core structure remaining the same. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to double-check your university’s requirements before you finalise your structure.

Will this work for a research paper?

A research paper follows a similar format, but there are a few differences. You can find our research paper template here .

Is this template for an undergrad, Masters or PhD-level thesis?

This template can be used for a dissertation, thesis or research project at any level of study. It may be slight overkill for an undergraduate-level study, but it certainly won’t be missing anything.

How long should my dissertation/thesis be?

This depends entirely on your university’s specific requirements, so it’s best to check with them. As a general ballpark, Masters-level projects are usually 15,000 – 20,000 words in length, while Doctoral-level projects are often in excess of 60,000 words.

What about the research proposal?

If you’re still working on your research proposal, we’ve got a template for that here .

We’ve also got loads of proposal-related guides and videos over on the Grad Coach blog .

How do I write a literature review?

We have a wealth of free resources on the Grad Coach Blog that unpack how to write a literature review from scratch. You can check out the literature review section of the blog here.

How do I create a research methodology?

We have a wealth of free resources on the Grad Coach Blog that unpack research methodology, both qualitative and quantitative. You can check out the methodology section of the blog here.

Can I share this dissertation template with my friends/colleagues?

Yes, you’re welcome to share this template. If you want to post about it on your blog or social media, all we ask is that you reference this page as your source.

Can Grad Coach help me with my dissertation/thesis?

Within the template, you’ll find plain-language explanations of each section, which should give you a fair amount of guidance. However, you’re also welcome to consider our dissertation and thesis coaching services .

Master's thesis

Submit master's thesis to duo in studentweb.

Submit in Studentweb

Log in with your username and password.

Detailed instructions for submitting

Full text and access control

• Why full text in DUO?
• Restricting access
• When you make your thesis available in DUO, it involves duties and responsibilities for both UiO and you as the author .

Formatting your Master's thesis

• Search & Write describes formal requirements, and tips on how to work with styles, headings etc.
• Templates for the front covers of Master's theses , developed by Graphic Centre at UiO.
• Academic writing centre offers guidance in the writing process.

Did you remember?

• Copyright issues  and Master's thesis
• Referencing and citations
• Information regarding cheating at UiO

Change after the submission deadline

Information about how to change accessibility, correct spelling mistakes in title, summary or in your thesis .

What happens to my thesis after submission in Studentweb?

Feel free to contact us:  [email protected]

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2023-24 timeline for submission of masters thesis and degree petition.

Please adhere strictly to these guidelines

Final deadlines are imposed by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and the department  has very little, if any, flexibility

Thesis Specifications and FAQ’s

The thesis represents an original work of research based on primary materials.  Students must find, on their own initiative, an adviser appropriate to the topic.  The adviser should be a faculty member (Assistant, Associate or Full Professor) of the Council on East Asian Studies (CEAS).  With permission of the DGS the adviser can be a visiting faculty member associated with CEAS.  If a student can’t find an advisor, then the DGS may co-advise or help to find a suitable advisor.

Students should agree on the topic with the adviser, and then obtain the approval of the DGS for the topic and adviser.  The adviser must confirm in writing with the DGS and CEAS Registrar that they will be serving as your adviser.

Students must enroll in EAST 900 Masters Thesis in the semester in which the thesis will be submitted.  (EAST 900 may be counted among the 16 required courses for the degree.)  Your thesis advisor will submit their grade directly to the DGS and CEAS Registrar utilizing the M.A. Thesis Reader’s Report Form. If you have two readers, only one of them can submit the grade.

The length should be no more than 8,000-12,000 words (about 35-40 double-spaced pages).

For Fall Term 2023

Submit your thesis topic and adviser’s name to the DGS and EAST Registrar by the end of Course Add/Drop period (September 5, 2023).

By Friday, Oct. 6, 2023  submit to the DGS (copy nicholas.disantis@yale.edu ) a prospectus, signed by the advisor (prospectus cover sheet available here ), which must include a statement of the thesis topic, an initial schedule for completion, and a preliminary bibliography.   The CEAS Registrar will check with the thesis adviser by that date to confirm that “the candidate has made substantial progress and can be expected to submit satisfactory work by December 14.” 

A draft of the MA Thesis is due to the DGS on Friday, November 17, 2023 by 5:00 PM.  

The Final MA thesis is due on or before Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 by 5:00 PM .  Electronic copies (PDF) must be sent to the thesis advisor, EAST DGS and CEAS Registrar. The EAST M.A. Thesis cover page is available here .

For Spring Term 2024

Submit your thesis topic and adviser’s name to the DGS and EAST Registrar by October 31 of your second year.

By  5:00 PM, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024  submit to the DGS (copy nicholas.disantis@yale.edu ) a prospectus, signed by the advisor (prospectus cover sheet available here ), which must include a statement of the thesis topic, an initial schedule for completion, and a preliminary bibliography.  The CEAS Registrar will check with the thesis adviser by that date to confirm that “the candidate has made substantial progress and can be expected to submit satisfactory work by May 2.”  Without such a confirmation, no degree petition will be accepted.

Degree petition forms are due to Nick Disantis no later than Wednesday, February 15, 2024 by 5:00 PM for conferral of May degrees.  PLEASE USE THE FORM ON THE GRAD SCHOOL WEBSITE here  and DO NOT send forms directly to the Grad School.

A draft of the MA Thesis is due to the DGS on Friday, April 5, 2024 by 5:00 PM.

The MA thesis is due on or before Thursday, May 2, 2024 by 5:00 PM .  Electronic copies (PDF) must be sent to the thesis advisor, EAST DGS and CEAS Registrar. The EAST M.A. Thesis cover page is available  here .

Commencement is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 20, 2024.  Information about Commencement is available on the Yale Commencement website .  Follow all the links for the dates and deadlines for such items as cap & gown reservations, visas for international guests, etc.  By TBD you must confirm whether OR NOT you will attend, by filling out the GSAS Diploma Ceremony Response Form .  Academic regalia must also be ordered by TBD.

The Commencement Schedule is available here .

Theses and Dissertations

Defense and submission.

Below is an overview of the main steps in preparing, defending, and submitting your thesis or dissertation. For detailed instructions on each step, see The Graduate School's  Guide for Electronic Submission of Thesis and Dissertation (PDF) , in addition to this video recording from a workshop given on the subject. 

• Schedule your defense and apply for graduation in DukeHub ( defense and graduation deadlines ).  
• At least 30 days before your defense: Confirm or update your defense committee.  
• Give your thesis/dissertation to your advisor for inspection, and prompt your advisor to send a letter to [email protected] stating that it is complete and ready to defend. Note: For students in School of Medicine Ph.D. programs, their advisor letters are generated through T3.  
• Request your DGSA to send a departmental defense announcement to  [email protected] . Note: For students in School of Medicine Ph.D. programs, their departmental defense announcements are generated through T3.  
• At least 2 weeks before your defense: Submit your complete, correctly formatted dissertation/thesis to ProQuest (initial submission). Also provide it to each member of your committee.  
• Optional: After you receive an email through ProQuest from the Graduate School administrator who reviewed your thesis/dissertation format, you may make an appointment for a brief, virtual meeting with the administrator to discuss any questions you have about the defense process or the recommended formatting revisions.  
• A few days before your defense, The Graduate School will generate your final examination certificate and email it to the chair/co-chair(s) of your examination committee and the DGSA of your department. Note:  For students in School of Medicine Ph.D. programs, their final examination certificates are generated and released through T3.  
• Defend your dissertation. After your final examination, your committee members will vote on whether you passed or failed. Your chair and DGS will record the votes on your final examination certificate, sign it, and submit it to The Graduate School. Your committee may vote that you passed but still require minor edits or corrections before final submission.  
• As soon as possible after your defense, submit to [email protected] the Non-Exclusive Distribution License and Thesis/Dissertation Availability Agreement (“embargo agreement”) signed by yourself and your thesis/dissertation advisor.  
• Within 30 days after your successful defense, or by the established final submission deadline (whichever is first): Submit the final version of your dissertation/thesis to ProQuest.

Guide for Electronic Submission of Thesis and Dissertation (PDF)

We provide the following templates for your convenience and to help you eliminate common formatting errors. However,  all submitted theses and dissertations must meet the specifications listed in the ETD guide . The manuscript must be a completed document, formatted correctly, with no sections left blank.

• Word Template for Thesis/Dissertation (Word)
• LaTeX Template for Thesis/Dissertation (ZIP)

Notes about the LaTeX Template

• This LaTeX template is for both master's and Ph.D. students. Master's theses must also have an abstract title page.
• Neither The Graduate School nor OIT supports LaTeX beyond providing this template.

Ph.D. and master’s students are required to apply for graduation in  DukeHub  by the established application deadline for the semester in which they plan to graduate.

Review the full graduation guidelines on the  Graduation Information and Deadlines  page. 

When you submit your thesis or dissertation electronically, you will also permit Duke University to make it available online through  DukeSpace  at Duke Libraries. See the pages below for more information about ETDs:

• ETDs Overview
• ETD Availability
• ETD Copyright Information 
• ETD Technical Help 

Check out the writing support  offered by The Graduate School, such as writing spaces, consultations, and access to online writing workshops, communities, and resources.

• Boston University Libraries
• Guide for Writers of Theses & Dissertations

Library Submission – Steps for Submitting Your Thesis or Dissertation to the Library

Tools to assist you in preparing and submitting your thesis/dissertation, adobe reader.

All Boston University theses and dissertations are submitted to the library electronically. Submitting your thesis or dissertation to Boston University Libraries is the last step to fulfill at the University before you graduate and are awarded your degree.

• Prepare the manuscript : the Guide for Writers of Theses & Dissertations [PDF] covers formatting and submission requirements in detail.
• GRS: Tyler Wasson, [email protected]
• GMS: Millie Agosto,  [email protected]
• GSDM: A'Llyn Ettien, [email protected]
• STH: Stacey Duran, [email protected]
• All others, contact  [email protected]
• Consult the ETD Administrator Walk-Through for help.
• Separately, submit your Dissertation/Thesis processing fee online  (requires BU Login).
• Thesis prep videos : We have several thesis and dissertation prep videos that cover the ETD administrator process and formatting the document.
• Microsoft Word template : You are welcome to use this Microsoft Word Dissertations template or Thesis template prepared by the library at your own risk.  Contact us with questions about templates.
• LaTeX : The Electrical & Computer Engineering Department has a  LaTeX template  that conforms with proper formatting for library submission that you are welcome to use.  Thanks to Professor Janusz Konrad for his help providing this template.
• Sample formats : A set of samples  illustrates proper submission formats.
• Open access : Boston University’s policy is that scholarship, including BU theses and dissertations, should be made openly accessible as soon as possible so that the benefits of research can be widely shared. This  FAQ  discusses factors to think about for those of you considering an embargo.

The PDF format (Adobe Portable Document Format) requires use of Adobe Reader software. If you do not have this installed, it may be  downloaded  at no charge.

Please visit the Research Guide:   Theses & Dissertations – Resources for Locating  for information on databases that can be used to identify theses and dissertations written in North America and elsewhere.

[email protected]

• Last Updated: Apr 10, 2024 10:08 AM
• URL: https://library.bu.edu/theses

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Formatting of Theses and Dissertations

The following recommendations for MA theses are taken from the Maynooth University Examinations Office. For PhD dissertations, please refer directly to the Examinations Office website:  http://examinations.nuim.ie/thesis.shtml

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PRESENTATION OF MA THESIS.

THESIS: A statement of investigation or research presenting the author's findings and any conclusions reached, submitted by the author in support of his candidature for a higher degree, professional qualification or other award.

BINDING: The thesis shall be bound within boards. The binding shall be of a fixed kind in which leaves are permanently secured.  The boards shall have a sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the work when standing upon a shelf.

ELECTRONIC COPY: should be in one PDF file mirroring the hard bound copy. Please DO NOT turn in a separate PDF file for each chapter, or for each item in the thesis (abstract, contents etc.). The only extra files permitted are multi-media files, such as audio or visual files.

COVER TITLE: If the outside front board bears the title of the work it should be in at least 24pt (8 mm.) type. The name and initials of the candidate, the qualification and the year of submission may also be shown. If the cover material bears any design, the design shall be clear of any lettering.

SPINE TITLE: The spine of the work shall bear in at least 24 pt (8 mm.) type, if practicable, the surname and initials of the candidate, the qualification for which the work is submitted and the year of submission. This information shall normally be printed along the spine in such a way as to be readable when the volume is lying flat with the front cover uppermost. If the work consists of more than one volume the spine shall also bear the number of each volume.

TYPE: Theses shall be presented in a permanent and legible form in typescript or print. Copies presented by xerographic or comparably permanent processes are acceptable.

PAPER: A4 size paper which is EC standard and specified in BS 400 should be used.

LAYOUT: Margins at the binding edge shall be not less than 40 mm. and other margins not less than 20 mm. Double or one and a half spacing is recommended in typescripts, excepted for indented quotations and footnotes, where single spacing may be used.

PAGINATION: Pages shall be numbered consecutively through the thesis, including appendices, but excluding photographs and/or diagrams which are not embodied in the text. Page numbers shall be located centrally at the bottom of the page, approximately 10 mm. above the edge.

MULTI-VOLUME THESIS: If there is more than one volume, each volume shall carry its own pagination.

TITLE PAGE:The title page of every volume shall give the following information in the order listed:

• The full title of the theses and the sub-title if any.
• The total number of volumes if more than one, and the number of the particular volume.
• The full name of the author, followed, if desired, by any qualifications and distinctions.
• The qualification for which the thesis is submitted.
• The name of the institution to which the thesis is submitted.
• The department, faculty or organisation in which research was conducted.
• The month and year of submission.
• Name of the Head of the Department concerned.
• Name of the Supervisor of the research.
• The title should describe the content of the thesis accurately and concisely.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: The table of contents shall immediately follow the title page.

ABSTRACT: There shall be an abstract of the thesis of approximately 300 words (this can be on a separate page following the Table of Contents).

Further Information

10+ Free Cover Page Templates for Thesis and Dissertation Projects

Download cover pages in ms word format.

#1 – Computer Science Dissertation

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#3 – Education Thesis

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#5 – Law Thesis

#6 – Literature Dissertation

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#8 – Nursing Dissertation

#9 – Political Science Thesis

#10 – Psychology Thesis

Tips on choosing the right template for your project

Tips for creating an effective dissertation cover page, what are a few must-haves for your thesis and dissertation cover page.

• Title of the project: It should be brief yet comprehensive and reflect the essence of your research work.
• Author/Student’s name: It is essential to mention the name of the author/student who has carried out the research work. This will help in identifying the author of the document.
• Roll number/Student number: This is an important identifier that helps the institute maintain the record of the students.
• Department/Batch/Class: This information helps the institute to categorize the research work based on the department, batch, or class.
• Institution’s name: It is important to mention the name of the institute where the research work has been conducted.
• Details of the requirements: Mentioning whether it is a thesis, final-year project, or dissertation is crucial for the reader to understand the context of the research work.
• Name of the degree: Mentioning the name of the degree (Ph.D. or M.Phil.) will help in identifying the level of the research work.
• Date of submission: It is important to mention the date of submission to establish the timeline of the research work.
• Session: Mentioning the session will help in identifying the academic session during which the research work has been carried out.
• Name of the supervisor: It is important to mention the name of the supervisor who has guided the research work.

How is the thesis cover page formatted?

Mla cover page formatting guidelines:, apa cover page formatting guidelines:.

• Title of the dissertation
• Author’s name
• Name of the university and department
• Degree information
• Date of submission

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MIT Specifications for Thesis Preparation

Approved November 2022 for use in the 2022-2023 academic year. Updated March 2023 to incorporate changes to MIT Policies and Procedures 13.1.3 Intellectual Property Not Owned by MIT .

View this page as an accessible PDF .

Table of Contents

• Thesis Preparation Checklist

Timeline for submission and publication

• Bachelor’s degree thesis
• Graduate degree thesis

Dual degree theses

Joint theses, what happens to your thesis, title selection, embedded links.

• Special circumstances

Signature page

Abstract page.

• Acknowledgments

Biographical notes

Table of contents, list of figures.

• List of tables
• List of supplemental material

Notes and bibliographic references

Open licensing, labeling copyright in your thesis, use of previously published material in your thesis, digital supplementary material, physical supplementary material, starting with accessible source files, file naming.

• How to submit thesis information to the MIT Libraries

Placing a temporary hold on your thesis

Changes to a thesis after submission, permission to reuse or republish from mit theses, general information.

This guide has been prepared by the MIT Libraries, as prescribed by the Committee on Graduate Programs and the Committee on Undergraduate Program, to assist students and faculty in the preparation of theses. The Institute is committed to the preservation of each student’s thesis because it is both a requirement for the MIT degree and a record of original research that contains information of lasting value.

In this guide, “department” refers to a graduate or undergraduate program within an academic unit, and “thesis” refers to the digital copy of the written thesis. The official thesis version of record, which is submitted to the MIT Libraries, is the digital copy of the written thesis that has been approved by the thesis committee and certified by the department in fulfillment of a student’s graduation requirement.

The requirements in this guide apply to all theses and have been specified both to facilitate the care and dissemination of the thesis and to assure the preservation of the final approved document. Individual departments may dictate more stringent requirements.

Before beginning your thesis research, remember that the final output of this research—your thesis document—should only include research findings that may be shared publicly, in adherence with MIT’s policy on Open Research and Free Interchange of Information . If you anticipate that your thesis will contain content that requires review by an external sponsor or agency, it is critical that you allow sufficient time for this review to take place prior to thesis submission. 

Questions not answered in this guide should be referred to the appropriate department officer or to the MIT Libraries ( [email protected] ).

• Final edited and complete thesis PDF is due to your department on the date specified in the Academic Calendar.
• Hold requests should be submitted to the Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education or TLO concurrent with your thesis submission.
• Thesis information is due to the MIT Libraries before your date of graduation.
• Departments must transfer theses to the MIT Libraries within 30 days from the last day of class (end of term).
• One week later (30 days from the last day of classes + 7 days) or one week after the degree award date (whichever is later) the MIT Libraries may begin publishing theses in DSpace@MIT.
• If you have requested and received a temporary (up to 90-day) hold on the publication of your thesis from the Vice Chancellor, your thesis will be placed on hold as soon as it is received by the Libraries, and the 90-day hold will begin 30 days from the last day of class (end of term).
• If your thesis research is included in a disclosure to the TLO, the TLO may place your thesis on temporary hold with the Libraries, as appropriate.

Submitting your thesis document to your department

Your thesis document will be submitted to your department as a PDF, formatted and including the appropriate rights statement and sections as outlined in these specifications. Your department will provide more specific guidance on submitting your files for certification and acceptance.

Your department will provide information on submitting:

• A PDF/A-1  of your final thesis document (with no signatures)
• Signature page (if required by your department; your department will provide specific guidance)
• Original source files used to create the PDF of your thesis (optional, but encouraged)
• Supplementary materials  (optional and must be approved by your advisor and program)

Degree candidates must submit their thesis to the appropriate office of the department in which they are registered on the dates specified in the Academic Calendar. ( Academic Calendar | MIT Registrar ). September, February, and May/June are the only months in which degrees are awarded.

Bachelor’s degree theses

Graduate degree theses, submitting your thesis information to the libraries.

Information about your thesis must be submitted to the Libraries thesis submission and processing system  prior to your day of graduation. The information you provide must match the title page and abstract of your thesis . See How to submit thesis information to the MIT Libraries section for more details .

The academic department is required to submit the thesis to the MIT Libraries within one month after the last day of the term in which the thesis was submitted ( Faculty Regulation 2.72 ). The thesis document becomes part of the permanent archival collection. All thesis documents that have been approved will be transferred electronically to the MIT Libraries by a department representative via the MIT Libraries thesis submission and processing system .

The full-text PDF of each thesis is made publicly available in DSpace@MIT . A bibliographic record will appear in the MIT Libraries’ catalog, as well as the OCLC database WorldCat, which is accessible to libraries and individuals worldwide. Authors may also opt-in to having their thesis made available in the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database.

Formatting specifications

Your work will be a more valuable research tool for other scholars if it can be located easily. Search engines use the words in the title, and sometimes other descriptive words, to locate works. Therefore,

• Be sure to select a title that is a meaningful description of the content of your manuscript; and
• Do: “The Effects of Ion Implantation and Annealing on the Properties of Titanium Silicide Films on Silicon Substrates”
• Do: “Radiative Decays on the J/Psi to Two Pseudoscalar Final States”

You may include clickable links to online resources within the thesis file. Make the link self-descriptive so that it can stand on its own and is natural language that fits within the surrounding writing of your paragraph. The full URL should be included as a footnote or bibliography citation (dependent on citation style).

• Sentence in thesis: Further information is available on the MIT Writing and Communications Center’s website . The full-text PDF of each thesis is made publicly available in DSpace@MIT .
• Footnote or Bibliography: follow the rules of your chosen citation style and include the full website URL, in this case http://libraries.mit.edu/mit-theses

Sections of your thesis

Required (all information should be on a single page)

The title page should contain the title, name of the author (this can be the author’s preferred name), previous degrees, the degree(s) to be awarded at MIT, the date the degree(s) will be conferred (May/June, September, or February only), copyright notice (and legend, if required), and appropriate names of thesis supervisor(s) and student’s home department or program officer.

The title page should have the following fields in the following order and centered (including spacing) :

Thesis title as submitted to registrar

Author’s preferred name

Previous degree information, if applicable

Submitted to the [department name] in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree(s) of

[degree name]

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Month and year degree will be granted (May or June, September, February ONLY)

Copyright statement

This permission legend MUST follow: The author hereby grants to MIT a nonexclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free license to exercise any and all rights under copyright, including to reproduce, preserve, distribute and publicly display copies of the thesis, or release the thesis under an open-access license.

[Insert 2 blank lines]

Note: The remaining fields are left aligned and not centered

Authored by: [Author name]

[Author’s department name] (align with the beginning of the author’s name from the previous line)

[Date thesis is to be presented to the department] (align with the beginning of the author’s name from the first line)

Certified by: [Advisor’s full name as it appears in the MIT catalog]

   [Advisor’s department as it appears in the MIT catalog] (align with the beginning of the advisor’s name from the previous line), Thesis supervisor

Accepted by: [name]

[title – line 1] (align with the beginning of the name from the previous line)

[title – line 2] (align with the beginning of the name from the first line)

Note: The name and title of this person varies in different degree programs and may vary each term; contact the departmental thesis administrator for specific information

• Students in joint graduate programs (such as Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) should list both their MIT thesis supervisor and the supervisor from the partner academic institution.
• The name and title of the department or the program officer varies in different degree programs and may vary each term. Contact the departmental graduate administrator for specific information.
• For candidates receiving two degrees, both degrees to be awarded should appear on the title page. For candidates in dual degree programs, all degrees and departments or programs should appear on the title page, and the names of both department heads/committee chairs are required. Whenever there are co-supervisors, both names should appear on the title page.

Here are some PDF examples of title pages:

• Bachelor’s Degree – using a Creative Commons license
• PhD candidate – using a Creative Commons license
• Master’s candidate – dual degrees
• Masters’ candidates – multiple authors
• Masters’ candidates – multiple authors with dual degrees and extra committee members
• Bachelor’s Degree – change of thesis supervisor

Title page: Special circumstances – change of thesis supervisor

If your supervisor has recently died or is no longer affiliated with the Institute:

• Both this person and your new supervisor should be listed on your title page
• Under the new supervisor’s name, state that they are approving the thesis on behalf of the previous supervisor
• An additional page should be added to the thesis, before the acknowledgments page, with an explanation about why a new supervisor is approving your thesis on behalf of your previous supervisor. You may also thank the new supervisor for acting in this capacity
• Review this PDF example of a title page with a change in supervisor

If your supervisor is external to the Institute (such as an industrial supervisor):

• You should acknowledge this individual on the Acknowledgements page as appropriate, but should not list this person on the thesis title page
• The full thesis committee and thesis readers can be acknowledged on the Acknowledgements page, but should not be included on the title page

Not Required

Please consult with your department to determine if they are requiring or requesting an additional signature page.

Each thesis must include an abstract of generally no more than 500 words single-spaced. The abstract should be thought of as a brief descriptive summary, not a lengthy introduction to the thesis. The abstract should immediately follow the title page.

The abstract page should have the following fields in the following order and centered (including spacing):

• Thesis title

Submitted to the [Department] on [date thesis will be submitted] in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of [Name of degree to be received]

[Insert 1 blank line]

Single-spaced summary; approximately 500 words or less; try not to use formulas or special characters

Thesis supervisor: [Supervisor’s name]

Title: [Title of supervisor]

The Abstract page should include the same information as on the title page. With the thesis title, author name, and submitting statement above the abstract, the word “ABSTRACT” typed before the body of the text, and the thesis supervisor’s name and title below the abstract.

Acknowledgements

An acknowledgement page may be included and is the appropriate place to include information such as external supervisor (such as an industrial advisor) or a list of the full thesis committee and thesis readers. Please note that your thesis will be publicly available online at DSpace@MIT , which is regularly crawled and indexed by Google and other search-engine providers.

The thesis may contain a short biography of the candidate, including institutions attended and dates of attendance, degrees and honors, titles of publications, teaching and professional experience, and other matters that may be pertinent. Please note that your thesis will be publicly available online at DSpace@MIT , which is regularly crawled and indexed by Google and other search-engine providers.

List of Tables

List of supplemental material.

Whenever possible, notes should be placed at the bottom of the appropriate page or in the body of the text. Notes should conform to the style appropriate to the discipline. If notes appear at the bottom of the page, they should be single-spaced and included within the specified margins.

It may be appropriate to place bibliographic references either at the end of the chapter in which they occur or at the end of the thesis.

The style of quotations, footnotes, and bibliographic references may be prescribed by your department. If your department does not prescribe a style or specify a style manual, choose one and be consistent. Further information is available on the MIT Writing and Communications Center’s website .

Ownership of copyright

The Institute’s policy concerning ownership of thesis copyright is covered in Rules and Regulations of the Faculty, 2.73 and MIT Policies and Procedures 13.1.3 . Copyright covers the intellectual property in the words and images in the thesis. If the thesis also includes patentable subject matter, students should contact the Technology Licensing Office (TLO) prior to submission of their thesis.

Under these regulations, students retain the copyright to student theses.

The student must, as a condition of a degree award, grant to MIT a nonexclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free license to exercise any and all rights under copyright, including to reproduce, preserve, distribute and publicly display copies of the thesis, or release the thesis under an open-access license. The MIT Libraries publish the thesis on DSpace@MIT , allowing open access to the research output of MIT.

You may also, optionally, apply a Creative Commons License to your thesis. The Creative Commons License allows you to grant permissions and provide guidance on how your work can be reused by others. For more information about CC: https://creativecommons.org/about/cclicenses/ . To determine which CC license is right for you, you can use the CC license chooser .

You must include an appropriate copyright notice on the title page of your thesis. This should include the following:

• the symbol “c” with a circle around it © and/or the word “copyright”
• the year of publication (the year in which the degree is to be awarded)
• the name of the copyright owner
• the words “All rights reserved” or your chosen Creative Commons license
• Also include the following statement below the ©“ The author hereby grants to MIT a nonexclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free license to exercise any and all rights under copyright, including to reproduce, preserve, distribute and publicly display copies of the thesis, or release the thesis under an open-access license.”
• Also include the following statement below the © “The author hereby grants to MIT a nonexclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free license to exercise any and all rights under copyright, including to reproduce, preserve, distribute and publicly display copies of the thesis, or release the thesis under an open-access license.”

You are responsible for obtaining permission, if necessary, to include previously published material in your thesis. This applies to most figures, images, and excerpts of text created and published by someone else; it may also apply to your own previous work. For figures and short excerpts from academic works, permission may already be available through the MIT Libraries (see here for additional information ). Students may also rely on fair use , as appropriate. For assistance with copyright questions about your thesis, you can contact [email protected] .

When including your own previously published material in your thesis, you may also need to obtain copyright clearance. If, for example, a student has already published part of the thesis as a journal article and, as a condition of publication, has assigned copyright to the journal’s publisher, the student’s rights are limited by what the publisher allows. More information about publisher policies on reuse in theses is available here.

Students can hold onto sufficient rights to reuse published articles (or excerpts of these) in their thesis if they are covered by MIT’s open access policy. Learn more about MIT’s open access policy and opt-in here . Contact [email protected] for more information.

When including your own previously published articles in your thesis, check with your department for specific requirements, and consider the following:

• Ensure you have any necessary copyright permissions to include previously published material in your thesis.
• Be sure to discuss copyright clearance and embargo options with your co-authors and your advisor well in advance of preparing your thesis for submission.
• Include citations of where portions of the thesis have been previously published.
• When an article included has multiple authors, clearly designate the role you had in the research and production of the published paper that you are including in your thesis.

Supplemental material and research data

Supplemental material that may be submitted with your thesis is the materials that are essential to understanding the research findings of your thesis, but impossible to incorporate or embed into a PDF. Materials submitted to the MIT Libraries may be provided as supplemental digital files or in some cases physical items. All supplementary materials must be approved for submission by your advisor. The MIT Libraries can help answer questions you may have about managing the supplementary material and other research materials associated with your research.

Contact [email protected] early in your thesis writing process to determine the best way to include supplemental materials with your thesis.

You may also have other research data and outputs related to your thesis research that are not considered supplemental material and should not be submitted with your thesis. Research materials include the facts, observations, images, computer program results, recordings, measurements, or experiences on which a research output—an argument, theory, test or hypothesis, or other output—is based. These may also be termed, “research data.” This term relates to data generated, collected, or used during research projects, and in some cases may include the research output itself. Research materials should be deposited in appropriate research data repositories and cited in your thesis . You may consult the MIT Libraries’ Data Management Services website for guidance or reach out to Data Management Services (DMS)( [email protected] ), who can help answer questions you may have about managing your thesis data and choosing suitable solutions for longer term storage and access.

• Supplementary information may be submitted with your thesis to your program after approval from your thesis advisor. 
• Supplemental material should be mentioned and summarized in the written document, for example, using a few key frames from a movie to create a figure.
• A list of supplementary information along with brief descriptions should be included in your thesis document. For digital files, the description should include information about the file types and any software and version needed to open and view the files.
• Issues regarding the format of non-traditional, supplemental content should be resolved with your advisor.
• Appendices and references are not considered supplementary information.
• If your research data has been submitted to a repository, it should not also be submitted with your thesis.
• Follow the required file-naming convention for supplementary files: authorLastName-kerb-degree-dept-year-type_supplemental.ext
• Captioning ( legally required ): text versions of the audio content, synchronized with the video: ways to get your video captioned
• Additional content, not required:
• For video, an audio description: a separate narrative audio track that describes important visual content, making it accessible to people who are unable to see the video
• Transcripts: should capture all the spoken audio, plus on-screen text and descriptions of key visual information that wouldn’t otherwise be accessible without seeing the video

For physical components that are integral to understanding the thesis document, and which cannot be meaningfully conveyed in a digital form, the author may submit the physical items to the MIT Libraries along with their thesis document. When photographs or a video of a physical item (such as a model) would be sufficient, the images should be included in the thesis document, and a video could be submitted as digital supplementary material.

An example of physical materials that would be approved for submission as part of the thesis would be photographs that cannot be shared digitally in our repository due to copyright restrictions. In this case, the photographs could be submitted as a physical volume that is referred to in the thesis document.

As with digital supplementary information and research materials, physical materials must be approved for submission by your advisor. Contact [email protected] early in your thesis writing process to determine if physical materials should accompany your thesis, and if so how to schedule a transfer of materials to the MIT Libraries.

Creating your thesis document/digital format

You are required to submit a PDF/A-1 formatted thesis document to your department. In addition, it is recommended that original files, or source files, (such a .doc or .tex) are submitted alongside the PDF/A-1 to better ensure long-term access to your thesis.

You should create accessible files that support the use of screen readers and make your document more easily readable by assistive technologies. This will expand who is able to access your thesis. By creating an accessible document from the beginning, there will be less work required to remediate the PDF that gets created. Most software offers a guide for creating documents that are accessible to screen readers. Review the guidelines provided by the MIT Libraries .

In general:

• Use styles and other layout features for headings, lists, tables, etc. If you don’t like the default styles associated with the headings, you can customize them.
• Avoid using blank lines to add visual spacing and instead increase the size of the spaces before and/or after the line.
• Avoid using text boxes.
• Embed URLs.
• Anchor images to text when inserting them into a doc.
• Add alt-text to any images or figures that convey meaning (including, math formulas).
• Use a sans serif font.
• Add basic embedded metadata, such as author, title, year of graduation, department, keywords etc. to your thesis via your original author tool.

Creating a PDF/A-1

PDF/A-1 (either a or b) is the more suitable format for long term preservation than a basic PDF. It ensures that the PDF format conforms to certain specifications which make it more likely to open and be viewable in the long term. It is best for static content that will not change in the future, as this is the most preservation-worthy version and does not allow for some complex elements that could corrupt or prevent the file from being viewable in the future. Guidelines on how to convert specific file types to PDF/A .

In general: (should we simplify these bullets)

• Convert to PDF/A directly from your original files (text, Word, InDesign, LaTeX, etc.). It is much easier and better to create valid PDF/A documents from your original files than from a regular PDF. Converting directly will ensure that fonts and hyperlinks are embedded in the document.
• Do not embed multimedia files (audio and video), scripts, executables, lab notebooks, etc. into your PDF. Still images are fine. The other formats mentioned may be able to be submitted as supplemental files.
• Do not password protect or encrypt your PDF file.
• Validate your PDF/A file before submitting it to your department.

All digital files must be named according to this scheme: authorLastName-kerb-degree-dept-year-type_other.ext

• Thesis PDF: macdonald-mssimon-mcp-dusp-2023-thesis.pdf
• Signature page: macdonald-mssimon-mcp-dusp-2023-sig.pdf
• Original source file: macdonald-mssimon-mcp-2023-source.docx
• Supplemental file: macdonald-mssimon-mcp-2023-supplmental_1.mov
• Second supplemental file: macdonald-mssimon-mcp-2023-supplmental_2.mov
• Read Me file about supplemental: macdonald-mssimon-mcp-2023-supplemental-readme.txt

How to submit thesis information to the MIT Libraries

Before your day of graduation, you should submit your thesis title page metadata to the MIT Libraries  prior to your day of graduation. The submission form requires Kerberos login.

Student submitted metadata allows for quicker Libraries processing times. It also provides a note field for you to let Libraries’ staff know about any metadata discrepancies.

The information you provide must match the title page and abstract of your thesis . Please have a copy of your completed thesis on hand to enter this information directly from your thesis. If any discrepancies are found during processing, Libraries’ staff will publish using the information on the approved thesis document. You will be asked to confirm or provide:

• Preferred name of author(s)as they appear on the title page of the thesis
• ORCID provides a persistent digital identifier that distinguishes you from every other researcher. The goal is to support the creation of a permanent, clear, and unambiguous record of scholarly communication by enabling reliable attribution of authors and contributors. Read ORCID FAQs to learn more
• Department(s)
• A license is optional, and very difficult to remove once published. The Creative Commons License allows you to grant permissions and provide guidance on how your work can be reused by others. Read more information about CC .
• Thesis supervisor(s)
• If you would like the full-text of your thesis to be made openly available in the ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Global database (PQDT), you can indicate that in the Libraries submission form.
• Open access inclusion in PQDT is at no cost to you, and increases the visibility and discoverability of your thesis. By opting in you are granting ProQuest a license to distribute your thesis in accordance with ProQuest’s policies. Further information can be found in the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Author FAQ .
• Full-text theses and associated supplemental files will only be sent to ProQuest once any temporary holds have been lifted, and the thesis has been published in DSpace@MIT.
• Regardless of opting-in to inclusion in PQDT, the full text of your thesis will still be made openly available in DSpace@MIT . Doctoral Degrees: Regardless of opting-in the citation and abstract of your thesis will be included in PQDT.

Thesis research should be undertaken in light of MIT’s policy of open research and the free interchange of information . Openness requires that, as a general policy, thesis research should not be undertaken on campus when the results may not be published. From time to time, there may be a good reason for delaying the distribution of a thesis to obtain patent protection, or for reasons of privacy or security. To ensure that only those theses that meet certain criteria are withheld from distribution and that they are withheld for the minimum period, the Institute has established specific review procedures.

Written notification of patent holds and other restrictions must reach the MIT Libraries before the thesis in question is received by the MIT Libraries. Theses will not be available to the public prior to being published by the MIT Libraries. The Libraries may begin publishing theses in DSpace@MIT one month and one week from the last day of classes.

Thesis hold requests should be directed to the Technology Licensing Office (TLO) ( [email protected] ) when related to MIT-initiated patent applications (i.e., MIT holds intellectual property rights; patent application process via TLO). Requests for a thesis hold must be made jointly by the student and advisor directly to the MIT Technology Licensing Office as part of the technology disclosure process.

Thesis hold or restricted access requests should be directed to the Office of the Vice Chancellor ([email protected]) when related to:

• Student-initiated patents (student holds intellectual property rights as previously determined by TLO) [up to 90-day hold]
• Pursuit of business opportunities (student holds intellectual property rights as previously determined by TLO)[up to 90-day hold]
• Government restrictions [up to 90-day hold]
• Privacy and security [up to 90-day hold]
• Scholarly journal articles pending publication [up to 90-day hold]
• Book publication [up to 24-month hold]

In the unusual circumstance that a student wants to request a hold beyond the initial 90-day period, they should contact the Office of Vice President for Research , who may consult with the TLO and/or the Office of the Vice Chancellor, as appropriate to extend the hold. Such requests must be supported by evidence that explains the need for a longer period.

Find information about each type of publication hold, and to learn how to place a hold on your thesis

After publication

Your thesis will be published on DSpace@MIT . Theses are processed by the MIT Libraries and published in the order they are transferred by your department. The Libraries will begin publishing theses in DSpace@MIT one month and one week from the last day of classes.

All changes made to a thesis, after it has been submitted to the MIT Libraries by your department, must have approval from the Vice Chancellor or their designee. Thesis documents should be carefully reviewed prior to submission to ensure they do not contain misspellings or incorrect formatting. Change requests for these types of minor errors will not be approved.

There are two types of change requests that can be made:

• Errata: When the purpose is to correct significant errors in content, the author should create an errata sheet using the form and instructions (PDF)  and obtain approval first from both the thesis supervisor or program chair, before submitting for review by the Vice Chancellor.
• Substitution: If the purpose of the change is to excise classified, proprietary, or confidential information, the author should fill out the  application form (PDF) and have the request approved first by the thesis supervisor or program chair, before submitting for review by the Vice Chancellor.

Students and supervisors should vet thesis content carefully before submission to avoid these scenarios whenever possible.

You are always authorized to post electronic versions of your own thesis, in whole or in part, on a website, without asking permission. If you hold the copyright in the thesis, approving and/or denying requests for permission to use portions of the thesis in third-party publications is your responsibility.

MIT Libraries Thesis Team https://libguides.mit.edu/mit-thesis-faq [email protected] | https://thesis-submit.mit.edu/

Distinctive Collections Room 14N-118 | 617-253-5690 https://libraries.mit.edu/distinctive-collections/

Technology Licensing Office [email protected] | 617-253-6966 http://tlo.mit.edu/

Office of the General Counsel [email protected]  | 617-452-2082 http://ogc.mit.edu/

Office of Graduate Education Room 3-107 | 617-253-4680 http://oge.mit.edu/ [email protected]

MIT Libraries,  Scholarly Communications https://libraries.mit.edu/scholarly/ [email protected]

Office of  the Vice Chancellor Room 7-133 | 617-253-6056 http://ovc.mit.edu [email protected]

Office of the Vice President for Research Room 3-234 | 617-253-8177 [email protected]

MIT Writing and Communications Center Room E18-233 [email protected] | https://cmsw.mit.edu/writing-and-communication-center/

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Sample cover sheets for all written assignments, as well as for BA and MA theses, are available for download below.

Please also consult the formatting guide for instructions regarding the page layout.

• Cover for BA thesis (18 KByte)
• Cover for MA thesis (18 KByte)
• Formatting guide (111 KByte)
• Musterdeckblatt für alle schriftlichen Arbeiten (deutsch) (38 KByte)
• Sample cover sheet for all written assignments (37 KByte)

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Department of English

Writing academic papers and thesis information.

Here you can find all the information you need when writing a paper or your thesis :

• General Information: Format requirements, Manual for Writing Papers, Plagarism, Generative AI, Submitting Admissions, Supervisors for Thesis

Seminar Papers

• BA Thesis: Registration process and deadlines, format requirements
• MA Thesis: Registration process and deadlines, format requirements
• Thesis submission: Format requirements

Applying for your Diploma

General information.

All papers must be handed in together with the Submission Sheet . All papers must also have:

• a title page containing the following information: University of Bern, Department of English; title of the paper; name of the supervisor; type of paper (BA/MA, seminar paper, etc.); author’s full name, address, email and matriculation number; and the date;
• a Table of Contents;
• a References / Works Cited section.

Manual for Writing Papers

Please also consult the department’s Manual for Writing Research Papers , which helps you with issues of structure, planning and other technical matters.

Plagiarism is one of the most flagrant violations of academic standards. The consequences of plagiarism are accordingly drastic. Please read about plagiarism and its consequences in the document What is Plagiarism .

" What is Plagiarism " includes the plagiarism statement you must sign and turn in with every paper. The plagiarism declaration is part of the Submission Sheet  to be handed in with all assessed work.

Generative AI

Recent years have led to the development of "generative digital tools": computer programs based on artificial intelligence (AI) that produce text, images, videos, or code based on user input. It is vital that students learn how to handle these tools sensibly, responsibly, and critically. This involves an awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of AI tools, of academic integrity, and of legal parameters. Academic writing skills will continue to be essential: comprehensive subject knowledge, along with familiarity with academic methods and style are needed to be able to critically evaluate and improve the output of AI.

Students may not under any circumstances use generative AI tools in Core Curriculum Courses or in the courses of the Language Module , except for the authorized explorations that will take place in class to build and improve critical AI literacy. Students in classes beyond the Core Curriculum Courses and the Language Module are permitted to use generative AI under specific conditions (illustrated in detail in " Guidelines on the use of Generative AI ").

Failure to correctly log, cite and reference each use of AI tools in written work will be deemed to constitute a case of plagiarism. Please read the conditions and guidelines on the correct use of Generative AI in the following document ( Guidelines on the use of Generative AI ).

Submitting admissions

Fill in this form, sign the plagiarism declaration and submit the form along with all assessed work in print:

Submission Sheet

With handing in the submission sheet you confirm that you have read the What is Plagiarism  document and have not committed plagiarism. Furthermore, you also confirm that you have read the Guidelines on the use of Generative AI  and that you adhere to its conditions and guidelines.  Please make sure you have read the document before you sign the submission sheet.

Supervisors for Thesis

Are you looking for a supervisor for your thesis? The Literature and Language & Linguistics sections have lists of possible supervisors for theses.

Supervisors for Papers and Theses in Language and Linguistics (PDF, 130KB)

Supervisors for Papers and Theses in Literature (PDF, 120KB)

Papers in Literary Studies

Students are asked to use the Style Sheet for Literature (PDF, 101KB) as well as the guidelines provided by the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, which are available online at the Purdue OWL/MLA and to discuss particular style issues with their respective supervisor.

Papers in Language and Linguistics

Students are asked to use the Style Sheet for Language and Linguistics (PDF, 180KB) and to discuss particular style issues with their respective supervisor.

Please consult the Manual for Writing Papers (see "General Information") for further information and guidelines.

Bachelor Thesis

Registration for the ba thesis.

The deadlines can be found in the course booklet and here .  

The registration for the BA thesis is a two-step process. First, you register your thesis with your supervisor, then you get the ok from your study counsellor and hand in the BA thesis registration form to the secretariat.

Use this BA Thesis Registration Form  to register your thesis. You do NOT have to sign up on KSL for your BA thesis as the grade will be entered manually after you have handed it in.

Withdrawal from the BA thesis registration is possible only until 15 April / 15 November in the semester of writing. Thereafter, a withdrawal is only granted on the basis of substantial and documented reasons (e.g. doctor’s certificate), and failure to provide such will result in an insufficient mark.

Format Requirements

The BA thesis is about 15,000 words long and has to be completed within three months of registration. The thesis word count includes everything except appendices and cover page (i.e. references, table of contents, etc. are included).

For further information and guidelines please consult the Manual for Writing Papers (see "General Information" above).

Ready to submit? Please see "Thesis submission" (below) for further information.

Prolonging your thesis

At the supervisor's discretion, short extensions may be granted: maximum two weeks for the BA thesis. Only in exceptional circumstances (e.g. serious illness) may the thesis be extended into another semester; in which case, students may be deregistered from the final colloquium and required to repeat it.    

Master Thesis

Registration for the ma thesis.

The deadlines can be found in the course booklet and here .

MA theses need to be registered with the Department of English as well as with the Dean’s Office. Please consult the website of the Dean’s Office for information about how to register your MA thesis at the Dean's Office. To register your MA thesis with the department you must complete the MA thesis registration form and include your supervisor’s and study counsellor’s signatures before handing in the form to the secretariat.

In order to register for the thesis you must have completed all other compulsory modules with the exception of the MA Colloquium. At the moment of registration (early December/early June) you cannot have more than one graded seminar pending (i.e., already attended but still awaiting entry in KSL) and you must have already attended your second MA Colloquium. Furthermore, you cannot miss more than 10 ungraded ECTS (excluding the final MA colloquium) when registering your thesis.

Use this MA thesis registration form (PDF, 87KB)  to register your thesis.You do NOT have to sign up on KSL for your MA thesis as the grade will be entered manually by the Dekanat.

The MA thesis is 30’000-40’000 words long. The thesis word count includes everything except appendices and cover page (i.e. references, table of contents, etc. are included).

At the supervisor's discretion, short extensions may be granted: one month for the MA thesis, via the Dean's Office. Only in exceptional circumstances (e.g. serious illness) may the thesis be extended into another semester; in which case, students may be deregistered from the final colloquium and required to repeat it.    

If you want to prolong your thesis you will have to adhere to the deadlines from the Dean's office. You will have to fill in the form you can find at the Dean's office ( here ) and have it signed by your supervisor who has to agree. Your options are the following:

• Extending for one month: You have to get permission and a signature from your supervisor on the form above. Please make sure you hand in your form at the Dekanat at least 1 week before the official deadline!
• Extending for one semester: You have to get permission and a signature from your supervisor on the form above. Please make sure you hand in your form at the Dekanat at least 1 week before the official deadline!
• Second extension for one semester: If you need a second semester-long extension, the  Collegium Decanale  will need to approve this. Write a short letter (signed by the supervisor of your thesis), submit it to the Dean's Office (for the attention of Collegium Decanale), explain the reasons for the further delay in writing and enclose any employment or medical certificates as applicable.

Thesis Submission

Please submit your thesis in the following format:

• hard copy (ask your supervisor whether they would like to have an electronic copy additionally )
• glue binding or ring binding
• can be printed back-to-back and in black-and-white

BA Thesis Submissions

Please note that for the BA Thesis you will have to hand in the  Submission sheet (PDF, 151KB) . Hand your thesis in either directly to your supervisor or at the main office (use the wooden mail box if the main office is closed).

MA Thesis Submissions

Two hard copies will be required, one for your supervisor and one for the Dean's office. You will also need two different submission sheets:

Copy for supervisor: You will have to hand in the Submission sheet (PDF, 151KB) with the copy for your supervisor . Hand your thesis in either directly to your supervisor or at the main office (use the wooden mail box if the main office is closed).

Copy for Dean's office: Additionally, you will also have to hand in a seperate declaration for your copy for the Dean's office . You can find the form here  (at the bottom: "Erklärung zur Masterarbeit"/"Declaration of the master thesis").

Once you have completed all requirements of your study programme you can apply for your diploma.

For BA students, everything has to be in KSL, including the thesis, before the Studienleitung can finalise your planning view. For MA students you will have to contact the Studienleitung even before your MA thesis has been entered (the grade and ECTS for that are later entered by the Dean's Office).

Important: This process takes some time, so get all your paperwork in order as early as you can.

You have two options, apply online or in person.

In order to do so you need to:

• Check on KSL whether your file is in order ( Planungssicht ). If necessary, shift courses into the correct slots.
• Once you have done so, or if you have problems with this, contact the department’s Studienleitung (can be found in the Who to Ask section of the website )  and ask him or her to check your file on KSL.
• You can either ask the Studienleitung to sign the Bescheinigung BA/MA-Abschluss in person or send them an email asking them to set your Major and Minor to "Fachanforderung erfüllt" on KSL.   Once your file has been checked and approved by both your Major and your Minor department you will be able to get your diploma issued.
• In order to apply for it at the Dean’s Office you will need to complete the application process detailed on the Dean’s Office website . Furthermore, you will need the confirmation form ( Bescheinigung BA/MA-Abschluss ) from both your Major and your Minor departments signed by the Studienleitung of the respective department.

Important: Please be aware that you cannot click the button requesting your diploma on KSL. You do have to directly contact your study counsellor.

For further information on the registration for theses and application for diplomas, please go to the website of the Dean’s Office and consult the guide below.

Bescheinigung BA-Abschluss (PDF, 445KB)

Bescheinigung MA-Abschluss (PDF, 617KB)

Master's thesis

Master's Thesis is a part of Master's degree in other fields than technology and Master's thesis in technology / architecture is a part of Master of Science in Technology /Architecture degree.

The aims and place of the thesis in degrees

During the studies, students gradually gain the skills they need to write the thesis. In order to graduate, you should master the learning outcomes set for your degree and thesis.  

The aim of the Master’s thesis is that 

• the student is well familiar with his/her field and especially the field of his/her thesis topic  
• the student possesses the skills necessary for applying scientific knowledge and methods or the knowledge and skills required for independent and demanding artistic work 
• the student has good communication and language skills that can be applied in his/her field and other applicable fields 

Students mainly complete the Master’s thesis during the second year of studying for the Master’s degree; it is part of the advanced studies in the degree programme. You must have graduated with a Bachelor’s degree or your Bachelor’s thesis must be approved before you can start working on the Master’s thesis and drawing up the supervisory plan with your supervisor.  

The goals of theses based on learning outcomes. As you work on your thesis, your research skills, knowledge of the subject matter in the field, academic language and communication skills as well as your scientific debating skills are enhanced through peer learning and supervision, and via the discussion you conduct with previous research. Working on the thesis means practising independent research in accordance with good scientific practice. Your faculty or degree programme defines the form of the thesis more closely (see the section on your faculty).

The stages of the Master’s thesis are outlined below

Academic guidance and counselling.

Writing a Master’s thesis starts with participation in the thesis seminar and deciding on the topic. You will be assigned at least one supervisor – the responsible supervisor – who supports your work in matters related to the content and research process throughout the thesis process. The responsible supervisor is familiar with the assessment criteria of theses and discusses them with you. If the thesis has two supervisors – the responsible supervisor and the other supervisor – at least one must be well familiar with the topic of the thesis and both should hold degrees at least on the same level as the thesis in question. A person who is not a member of the University community may also act as a supervisor based on his/her expertise in the field.

The supervisor(s) and the student draw up a supervision plan that defines the rights, responsibilities and duties of the parties and the duration of the supervisory relationship. In the supervisory situation, a common understanding of the academic requirements of the thesis and of good scientific practice is also formed. The timing of supervision and the stages of the thesis process are also agreed upon. The supervisory plan also defines the target time of completing the thesis, which also gives an indication of the length of the supervisory relationship.

Your work process is the core of the supervision process. Supervision supports your learning process and your growth as an academic expert. You are in charge of your motivation and working and the way the thesis process advances. Faculties take care of the equal distribution of supervision work and including supervision in the teachers’ work plans.   

The faculty also defines the practices applied if any changes, conflicts or problems arise in the supervisory relationship.

Theses done in pairs or groups 

Doing the thesis with another student or in a group is agreed with the supervisor. If the thesis is undertaken by a pair or a group, each student must be able to demonstrate his/her share of the work because the thesis is fundamentally about practising independent scientific work. The thesis is assessed for each student individually. 

Language of the thesis

The language of the thesis is either Finnish or the main language of the student’s degree programme. The supervisor of the thesis decides on the use of other languages than the ones mentioned above. 

A student studying in an English-language degree programme may write his/her thesis in Finnish. However, if the student wants his/her academic record to show that he/she has earned the degree in English, it may be required that the thesis is also written in English. 

If the student has not demonstrated language and communication skills in his/her field in the Bachelor’s degree, they are demonstrated in the maturity test related to the Master’s thesis. The demonstration of language skills in relation to the thesis is described in more detail in the section on the maturity test.

The thesis seminar

To support working on the thesis, a thesis seminar or other teaching and activities that aid the thesis process are organised.   

In the thesis seminar, students especially gain peer supervision and peer learning skills as well as those on academic writing, information seeking and scientific debate. The seminar guides and supports working on an independent thesis and the parts it consists of, such as defining the research problem, outlining the topic, and structuring and reporting the research results. In the seminar, students also learn about the assessment criteria of the thesis. As far as possible, you should strive to complete your thesis in the seminar. 

If the curriculum of the degree programme does not include a seminar on the Master’s thesis in the fields of technology, other means of supervision must ensure that students receive sufficient support for writing the thesis and learning research skills. 

Adherence to good scientific practice

Learning outcomes related to good scientific practice are included in all theses. Review the guidelines on good scientific practice and consult your supervisor if you need further guidance. As part of the process of facilitating the writing process, the supervisor should ensure that you are familiar with good scientific practice and able to work accordingly. 

Also remember the accessibility of the thesis.

The originality checking of a thesis 

During the writing process, you may use the originality check tool found on your supervisor’s Turnitin section on Moodle. It will give you a comparative report on your text that will help you evaluate the appropriateness of your citation practices. You can always ask your thesis supervisor for advice on interpreting the comparison report.

The student and the thesis supervisor agree about the point when the thesis is ready for the official originality check and the subsequent actual assessment. You enter the text of your completed thesis in the originality checking software after which the supervisor reviews the originality report. After the supervisor has checked the originality report, you may submit the thesis for the actual assessment process. 

Finding a thesis placement - Commissioned theses  

You may do your Master’s thesis as a commissioned study for a principal that can be a company or another body. A thesis is a scientific study that is assessed on the basis of academic criteria and it must be completed within the target time. The supervisor and examiners at the University are responsible for the academic guidance and assessment of the thesis. The principal may appoint a contact person who may also participate in the supervision of the thesis. The principal must also be aware of the academic nature and publicity of the thesis. You, the reponsbile supervisor and the principal agree on the topic, schedule and objectives of the thesis.  Make a written agreement with the principal on any fee paid to you. 

The University has drawn up a checklist for the first meeting on a commissioned thesis on issues that should be covered in the meeting.

Copyright of the thesis 

Copyright issues are also related to the publicity of the thesis. The student is reponsible for the contents of the thesis and ascertaining his/her rights to it. The author of a thesis that is intended for publication must have full copyright to the thesis, including any pictorial material, tables or other material, or have the right to publish such material online. 

Further information on copyright is available on the Library’s Open Access guide and on the following websites:  https://libguides.tuni.fi/opinnaytteet/julkaisuluvat_tekijanoikeus

• ImagOA: Open science and use of images: a guide on the Aalto University website http://libguides.aalto.fi/imagoa_eng

Publicity of the thesis and processing confidential information

Under law, the thesis is a public document (1999/621). A thesis becomes public as soon as it has been approved. After a thesis has been approved, it cannot be modified in any way. Confidential information cannot be included in a thesis. Publishing the thesis or its parts elsewhere, eg as articles, does not change the publicity requirement.  

If confidential information is processed in relation to the thesis, its use should be agreed with the supervisor and the possible principal in advance. The actual thesis should be written in a manner that allows publishing all of its parts. The possible confidential information should be incorporated in the appendices or background data that are not published. The separate data is not archived at the University.   

Other help and support during the writing of a thesis

You are not alone with your thesis. Support is available, for example, on information searching and data management as well as writing and making progress . Support is offered by the University’s joint counselling services, Language Centre and Library and Data Service.

Maturity test

Purpose of the maturity test .

With the maturity test, the student demonstrates his/her familiarity with the field of the thesis and his/her Finnish or Swedish language skills. (Government Decree on University Degrees 794/2004). See below for information on other languages.  

If the student has already demonstrated his/her language skills in the Bachelor’s degree, he/she only demonstrates his/her familiarity in the field of the thesis in the maturity test.  

Language of the maturity test 

If Finnish or Swedish language skills are to be demonstrated in the Master’s degree studies, the language of the maturity test is defined as in the Bachelor’s degree. 

If a student is not required to demonstrate his/her language skills in the Master’s degree, he/she takes the maturity test in the language of the thesis.  

Form of the maturity test 

In a Master’s degree, the abstract of the thesis serves as a maturity test. 

Submitting the thesis for assessment

When the thesis is nearing completion, the student discusses the final stage with his/her supervisor. The student and the supervisor agree on the pre-examination of the thesis and any corrections that are still needed. After the pre-examination and the final corrections, the supervisor gives the student permission to submit the thesis for assessment. The student feeds the final version of the manuscript to the originality checking software in a manner provided by the supervisor who will check the originality report. The originality check of the thesis should be completed before the thesis is submitted for assessment.  

When you submit your Master’s thesis to assessment in the publication archive Trepo you also ensure that the originality check of the thesis has been done and that your supervisor has given you permission to submit the thesis for assessment. The student also decides what kind of a publication permission he/she gives to the thesis. Note that you must be registered as present in order to submit a thesis on Trepo.

The student should let the supervisor know when the thesis can be retrieved from Trepo. The student receives a message from the Library within a few days of submitting the thesis for assessment. The assessment deadline is calculated from the date of the email sent to the supervisor. 

Assessment and grade of the thesis

The responsible supervisor proposes examiners either at the start or the end of the thesis process. Use this form to make the proposal 

Thesis supervision plan (Master’s thesis) and proposal of examiners

Examiners of a Master’s thesis  

The supervisor(s) of the thesis may also act as the examiners of the thesis if they fulfil the requirements stipulated in the Tampere University Regulations on Degrees.  According to Section 28 “At least one of the examiners must be employed by Tampere University”. Both examiners must have completed at least a master’s-level degree."

The thesis examiners have 21 days to review the thesis after it has been submitted for evaluation.  The results on theses submitted for examination during the period from 1 June to 31 August may take longer to be published. For justified reasons, the dean may make an exception to the deadline. Such exceptions must be communicated to the students in advance.   

Master’s theses are assessed with a grading scale from 0 to 5.  The grades are 1 (sufficient), 2 (satisfactory), 3 (good), 4 (very good) and 5 (excellent). Assessment criteria given by the faculties can be found at the bottom of this page.

Students will receive the examiners’ statement and grade proposal by email to their tuni.fi email address. Students will then have seven (7) days to provide a written response to the examiners’ statement. The countdown begins when the email is sent to the student. A possible written response is addressed to the student’s faculty and will be reviewed by the dean. The dean will assess whether there is reason to reconsider the grade or whether he or she will confirm the final grade based on the examiners’ statement. The dean can also appoint an additional examiner to review the thesis or bring the matter before the Faculty Council.  

If a student does not provide a written response, the dean will confirm the final grade of the thesis based on the examiners’ statement. If a student is satisfied with the assessment outcome, he or she can expedite the process and the entry of the thesis on his or her academic record by immediately informing the faculty thereof by email. The procedure for providing a written response does not apply to theses counted towards the degree of Licentiate of Medicine.

A student cannot submit a new thesis to replace an already approved one.  

Appealing against thesis assessment

A student dissatisfied with the assessment outcome of a master’s thesis (or equivalent) can submit a written appeal (request for rectification) to the relevant Faculty Council within 14 days of receiving the results.

An appeal can be delivered in writing or by email.

Postal address: Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland

Street address: Kalevantie 4, campus information desk, 33100 Tampere, Finland

Email: tau [at] tuni.fi (tau[at]tuni[dot]fi)

Electronic archiving and publishing of the thesis 

According to a decision by the National Archives of Finland (AL/11085/07.01.01.03.02/2016) on the permanent electronic preservation of universities’ theses and Tampere University’s information control plan that is based on it, Tampere University’s Master’s theses are permanently archived. All theses are electronically archived. The Library is in charge of archiving theses and dissertations on the University’s publication database. 

All theses are public and saved in the University’s publication database. According to the University’s strategic alignment on open science, all theses and dissertations are openly published unless the publisher’s conditions prevent it. All theses may be read with the Library’s computers and online if the student has granted permission to publish the thesis on the internet.     

After approval, all theses are stored in the comparison database of the originality checking software.  

Open Faculty of Education and Culture (EDU)

Open faculty of information technology and communication sciences (itc), open faculty of management and business (mab), open faculty of medicine and health technology (met), open faculty of social sciences (soc).

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) constitute the Tampere Universities community. Our areas of priority in research and education are technology, health and society. Tampere University: +358 (0)294 5211 Tampere University of Applied Sciences : +358 (0)294 5222