How to Cite a Thesis/Dissertation in Harvard Referencing
Learn the exact format with examples, in-text citations, and common mistakes to avoid.
Citation Format
Basic Template
Author (Year) Title of thesis. Degree type. Name of University.
Citation Components
Author
Last, First.
Year
Year completed in parentheses.
Thesis Title
Italicized. Sentence case.
Degree Type
PhD thesis, Master's thesis, or equivalent.
University
Full name of granting institution.
Real-World Example
Example Source
Okafor, Amara
2021
Nanoparticle synthesis and applications in drug delivery
PhD thesis
University of Cambridge
Formatted Citation
Okafor, Amara (2021) Nanoparticle synthesis and applications in drug delivery. PhD thesis. University of Cambridge.
In-Text Citation
(Okafor 2021)
(Author Year)
Common Mistakes
Wrong:
(Okafor, 2021) - using comma
Right:
(Okafor 2021) - use space
Why: Harvard uses space between author and year.
Wrong:
Okafor, A. (2021). Nanoparticle synthesis... [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cambridge].
Right:
Okafor, Amara (2021) Nanoparticle synthesis and applications in drug delivery. PhD thesis. University of Cambridge.
Why: Use full first name, (Year) format, and degree designation (not bracketed).
Wrong:
Okafor, Amara. Nanoparticles. University of Cambridge PhD. 2021.
Right:
Okafor, Amara (2021) Nanoparticle synthesis and applications in drug delivery. PhD thesis. University of Cambridge.
Why: Use (Year) format and full thesis title. Degree designation comes before university.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include the university location? ▼
Include just the university name. Add country only if disambiguation is needed (e.g., University of Toronto, Canada).
Can I cite an unpublished thesis? ▼
Yes, same format. The designation 'unpublished' is implied.
How specific should the degree type be? ▼
Use PhD thesis, Master's thesis, or the specific degree (M.Sc., M.A., etc.).
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