Australian National University Thesis Format Guide

The Australian National University maintains specific formatting standards for all graduate research theses and dissertations. This guide provides comprehensive information on ANU’s formatting requirements across all schools.

Page Setup and Margins

ANU’s margin specifications ensure proper binding and archival preservation.

Left Margin: 40mm (approximately 1.57 inches) - Required for binding.

Right Margin: 20mm (approximately 0.79 inches) - Standard margin.

Top Margin: 20mm (approximately 0.79 inches) - Applied consistently across pages.

Bottom Margin: 20mm (approximately 0.79 inches) - Maintains spacing for page numbers.

Paper Size: A4 (210mm x 297mm) is the standard.

Page Orientation: Portrait (vertical) orientation throughout.

Setting Margins in Word: Page Layout > Margins > Custom Margins (left: 40mm, right: 20mm, top: 20mm, bottom: 20mm).

Font Requirements

ANU maintains specific font and spacing requirements.

Body Text Font: Times New Roman in 12-point size is standard. Other serif fonts are acceptable.

Line Spacing: Double-spacing (2.0) is required for all body text.

Footnotes and Endnotes: May be single-spaced (1.5) in 10-point font.

Font Consistency: Use the same font throughout body text.

Headings: Chapter headings in 14-point bold, section headings in 12-point bold, subsection headings in 12-point bold italic.

Tables and Figures: May use fonts as small as 10-point if necessary.

Title Page Format

Your title page must include:

Required Elements:

• Thesis title
• Author name
• Australian National University
• Degree (e.g., Doctor of Philosophy)
• School/Faculty
• Date of submission

Layout: Center all elements with balanced spacing.

Page Numbering: Not numbered but counts as page i.

Line Spacing: Single-spacing for title page.

Abstract Requirements

Length: 300-500 words for most ANU theses.

Content: Summarize your research problem, methodology, findings, and significance.

Page Placement: On its own page following the title page.

Title: Center “ABSTRACT” in capitals.

Formatting: Double-spaced, same font as body text.

Table of Contents

Format: Include chapter titles and major sections with page numbers.

Title: Center “CONTENTS” or “TABLE OF CONTENTS” in capitals.

Formatting: Double-spaced with dot leaders.

Automatic Generation: Use Word’s References > Table of Contents.

Heading Styles and Hierarchy

Chapter Headings (Level 1): 14-point bold, centered, begin on new page.

Section Headings (Level 2): 12-point bold, left-aligned.

Subsection Headings (Level 3): 12-point bold italic, left-aligned.

Paragraph Headings (Level 4): 12-point bold, run-in style.

Consistency: Use Word’s Styles gallery for all headings.

Page Numbering

Front Matter: Use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii).

Body Text: Begin Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) with introduction.

Appendices: Continue Arabic numerals.

Page Number Location: Upper right corner or centered at bottom.

Implementation: Use Insert > Page Numbers with Section Breaks.

Citation Style Requirements

ANU permits different citation styles by school.

Engineering: IEEE style is standard.

Sciences: APA or Harvard is common.

Humanities: Chicago Manual of Style is typical.

Social Sciences: Harvard or APA is acceptable.

Verification: Check with your school for specific requirements.

Using GenText: GenText supports IEEE, APA, Chicago, Harvard, and other major formats.

Figure and Table Formatting

Table Titles: Above tables in 12-point font, numbered sequentially or by chapter.

Figure Captions: Below figures, numbered sequentially or by chapter.

Source Citations: Include sources for all data.

Integration: Embed in text near references.

Lists: Include if you have more than 5 figures or tables.

Bibliography and References

Organization: Alphabetical by author’s last name.

Title: Center “BIBLIOGRAPHY” or “REFERENCES” in capitals.

Formatting: Use hanging indentation, double-spaced.

Appendices

Labeling: Label as “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” etc.

Page Numbering: Continue from main text.

Content: Include supplementary materials.

Electronic Submission Requirements

File Format: Submit as PDF with embedded fonts to ANU Open Research.

File Naming: Follow ANU conventions.

Submission Deadline: Check the Graduate School for deadlines.

Tips for Formatting in Microsoft Word

Create Custom Styles: Define styles before writing.

Use Section Breaks: Separate front matter from body text.

Generate Table of Contents: Use References > Table of Contents.

Verify Margins: Check before finalizing.

Related Resources and Tools

GenText Citation Generator: Supports all major citation formats.

Word Formatting Tutorials:

• How to Format a Thesis in Word
• How to Create and Update a Table of Contents
• How to Use Section Breaks for Different Page Numbering

Comprehensive Word Formatting Guide

Before You Begin: Set up page formatting first with proper margins, define custom styles for all text elements, configure headers/footers, and establish line spacing. This foundational setup ensures consistent formatting throughout.

During Writing: Apply styles consistently, use Ctrl+Enter for chapter breaks, insert footnotes via References > Footnotes, and save frequently every 15-30 minutes.

Creating Table of Contents: Use References > Table of Contents for automatic generation from your heading styles.

Managing Sections: Insert Section Breaks between front matter and body text via Page Layout > Breaks for different page numbering.

Common Formatting Problems and Solutions

Inconsistent Margins: Select all text (Ctrl+A) then apply margins to entire document via Page Layout > Margins.

Wrong Heading Styles: Use Styles gallery exclusively, never manual formatting. Define before writing.

Page Number Issues: Insert Section Breaks (not page breaks) between sections. Configure numbering separately for each.

Incorrect Table of Contents: Update after editing by right-clicking and selecting “Update Field.”

Fonts Not Embedding: Go to File > Options > Save and check “Embed fonts in the file” before PDF conversion.

Submission Checklist

Verify before submission:

• All margins correct (40mm left, 20mm others)
• All body text double-spaced Times New Roman 12-point
• All headings properly formatted and hierarchical
• Page numbering correct and consistent
• Abstract: 300-500 words
• All tables/figures properly titled with sources
• Bibliography complete and alphabetized
• Title page includes all elements
• No spelling or grammar errors
• PDF has embedded fonts and proper filename

Conclusion

Proper thesis formatting at ANU demonstrates professionalism and academic integrity. Creating custom styles before writing is the most important step for ensuring consistent formatting throughout your document.

For the most current information on ANU thesis requirements, consult the Graduate School website. School-specific requirements may vary, so verify with your advisor.

With careful attention to these requirements and this guide, your thesis will meet all ANU standards and present your research professionally.