INSEAD Thesis Format Guide

INSEAD maintains comprehensive formatting standards for all graduate research theses and dissertations. This guide covers INSEAD’s specific formatting requirements for thesis submissions.

Page Setup and Margins

INSEAD’s margin specifications ensure proper binding and professional appearance.

Left Margin: 1.5 inches - Provides space for binding.

Right Margin: 1 inch - Standard margin.

Top Margin: 1 inch - Applied consistently across all pages.

Bottom Margin: 1 inch - Ensures proper spacing for page numbers.

Paper Size: Standard letter size (8.5” x 11”) or A4 is acceptable.

Page Orientation: Portrait (vertical) orientation is standard.

Setting Margins in Word: Page Layout > Margins > Custom Margins (left: 1.5”, right: 1”, top: 1”, bottom: 1”).

Font Requirements

INSEAD maintains clear font specifications for thesis preparation.

Body Text Font: Times New Roman in 12-point size is standard.

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

Footnotes and Endnotes: May be single-spaced 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.

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

Title Page Format

Your title page is a critical element that introduces your thesis to readers and examiners. The title page must follow INSEAD’s specifications precisely and include all required information clearly visible and properly formatted.

Required Elements:

• Thesis title
• Author name
• Program (e.g., MBA, Executive MBA, DBA)
• INSEAD (with campus location if applicable)
• Date of submission (month and year)

Layout: Center all elements horizontally. Place the title in the upper portion of the page (approximately one-third down from the top). Position your name in the middle section, and place the program and submission information near the bottom. The overall appearance should be professional and uncluttered, with adequate white space surrounding all elements.

Page Numbering: The title page is not numbered, though it counts as page i in the front matter sequence. This convention applies to most academic institutions and maintains consistency with standard thesis formatting practices.

Line Spacing: Use single-spacing for the title page only, despite the double-spacing requirement for all other sections of your thesis. This creates visual distinction and is standard academic practice.

No Headers or Footers: Do not include headers or footers on the title page. The title page should stand alone as a clean, formal introduction to your work.

Alignment: All elements should be centered horizontally on the page. Avoid using bold or other font modifications except where specifically required by INSEAD guidelines. The title may be in all capitals or title case, depending on your program’s preference.

Abstract Requirements

Length: 200-400 words for most INSEAD 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 “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

INSEAD typically requires Harvard referencing.

Standard: Harvard referencing (author-date system) is the default.

Alternative: APA may be accepted in some programs.

Verification: Check with your program director for specific requirements.

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

Figure and Table Formatting

Table Titles: Above tables in 12-point font.

Figure Captions: Below figures.

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 “REFERENCES” in capitals for Harvard style.

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

INSEAD requires electronic submission of theses through its centralized system to ensure proper archival and accessibility for future reference.

File Format: Submit your thesis as a PDF file with all fonts embedded. PDF format ensures that your document will display consistently across different computer systems and preserves all formatting. To embed fonts in Word, go to File > Options > Save and check “Embed fonts in the file.”

PDF Accessibility: Ensure your PDF is accessible to users with disabilities by using proper heading hierarchy and alternative text for images. This demonstrates commitment to inclusive academic practices and meets institutional accessibility standards.

File Naming Convention: Follow INSEAD’s file naming conventions, typically structured as: LastName_FirstName_Program_Year.pdf. For example: Smith_John_MBA_2026.pdf. This standardization helps the institution organize and retrieve theses efficiently.

File Size: Keep your PDF file size under 100MB. If your file is too large, compress images while maintaining acceptable quality. Use File > Compress Pictures to reduce image resolution without significantly impacting visual clarity.

Metadata: Add metadata to your PDF including your name, thesis title, program, and graduation year. This information helps with searchability and digital preservation. In Word, go to File > Info > Properties to add metadata before converting to PDF.

Submission Deadline: Submission deadlines vary by program and season. Check your program office for specific dates well in advance. Missing deadlines can delay graduation, so plan accordingly and submit with adequate time before the deadline.

Backup Copies: Maintain backup copies of your thesis in multiple locations (external hard drive, cloud storage) before final submission to protect against data loss.

Tips for Formatting in Microsoft Word

Mastering Microsoft Word’s built-in formatting features will significantly streamline the process of preparing your INSEAD thesis and ensure consistent, professional formatting throughout your document.

Create Custom Styles: Define custom styles for body text, each heading level, block quotations, and footnotes before you begin writing. This approach ensures uniform formatting across your entire thesis and allows you to change formatting globally if required. Access the Styles pane via Home > Styles > Styles Pane or press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S.

Use Section Breaks: Insert Section Breaks (not regular page breaks) to separate your front matter from your body text. This allows you to use different page numbering styles in different sections. Go to Page Layout > Breaks > Section Break (Next Page). Configure page numbering separately for each section through Insert > Page Numbers.

Generate Table of Contents: Use Word’s automatic Table of Contents generator rather than creating one manually. This ensures accuracy and allows automatic updates if page numbers or headings change. Go to References > Table of Contents and select your preferred style.

Verify Margins: Before finalizing your thesis, verify all margins via Page Layout > Margins > Custom Margins to ensure they meet INSEAD’s requirements exactly.

Manage Footnotes: Use References > Footnotes to insert footnotes consistently throughout your thesis. Configure the footnote format, numbering style, and positioning to match INSEAD requirements.

Use the Navigation Pane: Access View > Navigation Pane to see your document’s structure at a glance. This allows quick jumping between chapters and helps you identify formatting inconsistencies.

Save Frequently: Save your document frequently, ideally every 15-30 minutes, to prevent loss of work. Consider using cloud storage (OneDrive, Dropbox) for automatic backup.

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

Common Formatting Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Inconsistent Heading Formatting Solution: Use only Word’s Styles gallery for all headings. Define styles before writing and apply them consistently. Avoid manual formatting of individual headings, which can lead to inconsistencies.

Challenge: Page Numbering Resets Mid-Document Solution: Ensure you’ve inserted a Section Break (not just a page break) between your front matter and body text. Configure numbering separately for each section via Insert > Page Numbers > Format.

Challenge: Table of Contents Shows Incorrect Page Numbers Solution: Update your table of contents after all editing is complete. Right-click on the table and select “Update Field” to refresh all page references.

Challenge: Margins Not Applied Consistently Solution: Select all text (Ctrl+A) and apply margins to the entire document at once. Use Section Breaks if different margins are needed in specific sections.

Challenge: Fonts Not Embedding in PDF Solution: In Word, go to File > Options > Save and check “Embed fonts in the file” before saving as PDF. Verify embedding worked by opening the PDF in a different location.

Formatting Checklist

Before submitting your INSEAD thesis, work through this comprehensive checklist to ensure compliance with all formatting requirements:

• All margins are set to INSEAD specifications (1.5” left, 1” other sides)
• Body text is in Times New Roman, 12-point, double-spaced
• All headings follow the specified hierarchy and formatting
• Page numbering is correct (Roman numerals for front matter, Arabic for body)
• Abstract is between 200-400 words and properly formatted
• All figures and tables have titles/captions with sources cited
• Bibliography is complete, alphabetized, and properly formatted
• All citations follow Harvard referencing style consistently
• Title page includes all required elements and is properly centered
• Table of contents is complete and accurate
• No headers or footers appear on the title page
• PDF file is properly named and includes embedded fonts
• All fonts display correctly in the PDF version
• File size is under 100MB
• Metadata has been added to the PDF

Conclusion

Proper thesis formatting at INSEAD demonstrates professionalism and academic integrity. Breaking the formatting requirements into manageable components and using Word’s built-in tools effectively will make the process straightforward and ensure your thesis meets all institutional standards.

The attention you pay to formatting reflects your commitment to scholarly excellence. By following this guide carefully and consulting with your program office when questions arise, you’ll produce a thesis that not only meets INSEAD’s requirements but also presents your research in the best possible light.

For the most current information on INSEAD thesis requirements, consult your program office or the INSEAD website. Program-specific requirements may vary, so verify with your advisor before beginning your thesis.

With careful attention to these requirements and the formatting principles outlined in this guide, your thesis will meet all INSEAD standards and present your research professionally, contributing meaningfully to your field of study.