Bogazici University Thesis Formatting Guide

Bogazici University Thesis Formatting Standards

Bogazici University maintains comprehensive formatting guidelines for master’s theses and doctoral dissertations across all departments and institutes. These standards ensure professional presentation and consistency while accommodating both Turkish and English-language research.

Core Formatting Standards

Font and Typography

Bogazici University requires professional, readable fonts suitable for academic work. Times New Roman at 12pt is the standard choice for English text. For Turkish text, use Times New Roman or Arial at 12pt. Maintain consistent font selection throughout your entire thesis.

Headings may be formatted in bold or larger font sizes for visual distinction, but maintain the same font family as body text.

Margin Specifications

Standard margins are 2.5cm on all sides: top, bottom, left, and right. If your thesis will be bound, increase the left margin to 3cm while keeping other margins at 2.5cm.

Line Spacing

Double-spacing is required for the main body of your thesis. This applies to all chapter text and most supplementary content. Footnotes, endnotes, and appendices may use single-spacing, though double-spacing is preferred.

Title Page and Front Matter

Your title page must include:

• University name and department/institute
• Thesis title in primary language (centered, bold)
• Your full name
• Degree sought (Yüksek Lisans, Doctor of Philosophy, etc.)
• Department name
• Name of advisor(s)
• Date of submission

The front matter should follow this order:

• Title page
• Declaration of originality
• Acknowledgments (optional)
• Abstract in Turkish (if thesis is in English)
• Abstract in English (if thesis is in Turkish)
• Keywords in both languages
• Table of contents
• List of figures (if applicable)
• List of tables (if applicable)

Language Considerations

Bogazici University accepts theses in Turkish or English depending on your program and department. Many international programs accept English submissions, while some programs prefer Turkish.

If your thesis is in English, provide a Turkish abstract and keywords. If in Turkish, provide an English abstract and keywords.

Chapter Organization and Headings

Number chapters clearly and descriptively. Chapter headings should be formatted distinctly from body text. Maintain a clear hierarchical structure for subheadings, using consistent formatting for each level.

Citation Methodology

Bogazici University typically accepts:

• APA style (Author-Date system)
• Harvard style (Author-Date system)

Confirm the required citation style with your department or supervisor. Whichever style you choose, apply it consistently throughout your entire document.

GenText’s citation management tools support both APA and Harvard styles, automatically formatting your references.

Quotations and Block Quotes

Short quotations should be incorporated into paragraph text with quotation marks and citations. Longer quotations should be formatted as indented block quotes, set in from the left margin and single-spaced, without quotation marks.

Provide source citations immediately following all quotations.

Tables and Figures

All tables and figures must be numbered consecutively and include descriptive titles or captions. Tables should have titles above them; figures should have captions below.

Reference all tables and figures in your text before they appear.

Page Numbering

Number all pages consecutively using Arabic numerals. Page numbers should appear in the bottom right corner or bottom center of each page.

Abstract and Keywords

Your abstract should be approximately 250-300 words and summarize your entire thesis. Provide abstracts in both Turkish and English.

Include 5-8 keywords representing your research topic in both languages.

Appendices

Appendices should contain material that supports your argument but would interrupt the flow if included in chapters. Label appendices appropriately.

Formatting for Bilingual Content

If your thesis includes significant content in both Turkish and English, establish clear formatting conventions. Language transitions should be clearly marked.

Digital and Print Submission

Bogazici University requires digital submission through their thesis repository system. Your thesis should be submitted in PDF format with all formatting preserved.

Print copies may be required for archival purposes. Confirm current submission requirements with your graduate office.

Using GenText for Bogazici Theses

GenText streamlines thesis preparation by automating consistent formatting throughout your document. The tool applies proper margins, line spacing, and heading hierarchy automatically.

Citation management features support APA and Harvard styles, automatically formatting your references according to your chosen system.

Common Formatting Issues

• Inconsistent font usage between Turkish and English text
• Incorrect margins or insufficient binding space
• Improper spacing in block quotations
• Inconsistent citation formatting
• Missing or poorly formatted tables and figures
• Missing Turkish or English abstracts
• Front matter elements out of proper order

Final Checklist

Before submitting your thesis, verify:

• All margins are correct (2.5cm standard or 3cm left for binding)
• Font is consistent and appropriate for each language
• Line spacing is double throughout main text
• Page numbers appear correctly on all pages
• Abstracts appear in both languages
• Keywords are provided in both languages
• Citations follow your chosen style consistently
• All tables and figures are numbered and captioned
• Front matter is in correct order
• Your PDF displays properly on multiple devices

Adhering to Bogazici University’s formatting standards ensures your thesis meets institutional requirements.