Peking University Thesis Formatting Guide

Peking University Thesis Formatting Guidelines

Peking University, as one of China’s premier research institutions, maintains rigorous standards for thesis and dissertation formatting. These guidelines apply to master’s theses and doctoral dissertations across all disciplines and support both Chinese and English-language research.

Fundamental Formatting Standards

Language Options and Bilingual Requirements

Peking University accepts theses in Chinese, English, or other designated languages, depending on the program. Regardless of the primary language, certain elements must appear in both Chinese and English:

• Title page information
• Abstract and keywords
• Acknowledgments
• Table of contents

This bilingual requirement reflects the university’s commitment to international scholarship and accessibility.

Font and Typography

For Chinese text, use Song typeface (宋体) at 12pt for body text. For English text, Times New Roman or similar serif fonts at 12pt are standard. Maintain consistent font selection throughout your thesis.

Headings may be formatted in bold or larger font sizes, but consistency is essential. Chapter titles should be distinctly formatted from body text while maintaining professional appearance.

Margin Specifications

Standard margins are 2.5cm on all sides: top, bottom, left, and right. If your thesis will be double-sided and bound, the left margin may be increased to 3cm to accommodate the binding.

These margins must be strictly observed, as Peking University uses precise specifications for archiving and binding theses in its library system.

Line Spacing

Double-spacing is required for the main body of your thesis. This applies to both Chinese and English text. Footnotes and appendices may be single-spaced but double-spacing is preferred for consistency and professional appearance.

Title Page and Front Matter

The title page must include:

• Thesis title in both Chinese and English (centered, bold, larger font)
• Author’s full name and student ID number
• Department/School name in both languages
• Supervisor’s name and title
• Date of submission

Below the title, include any thesis classification information required by your department (such as discipline, research area, and degree level).

The front matter should appear in this order:

• Title page
• Statement of originality and declaration of authorship
• Acknowledgments (optional)
• Abstract in Chinese (200-500 words)
• Abstract in English (200-500 words)
• Keywords in both languages (5-10 keywords)
• Table of contents
• List of figures (if applicable)
• List of tables (if applicable)

Chapter Organization

Number chapters using Arabic numerals (Chapter 1, Chapter 2, etc.). Chapter titles should be descriptive and clearly formatted. In bilingual theses, chapter titles should appear in both languages.

Subheadings should be clearly hierarchical, with consistent formatting throughout. This helps readers follow your argument and improves document structure.

Citation Styles

Peking University typically accepts the Author-Date system (similar to Chicago Manual of Style) or numerical citations. The Author-Date system uses in-text citations with author and year, supported by a comprehensive bibliography.

Numerical citations use superscript numbers corresponding to footnotes or endnotes. Confirm with your department which system is preferred for your discipline.

GenText can manage citations automatically, formatting them consistently according to your chosen style and updating them as your thesis develops.

Quotations and Integration

Short quotations should be incorporated into paragraph text with quotation marks. Longer quotations (generally more than three lines) should be formatted as block quotations, indented 1cm from the left margin and single-spaced.

For both Chinese and English quotations, provide complete source citations immediately following the quoted material.

Tables, Figures, and Illustrations

All tables and figures must be numbered consecutively (Table 1, Table 2; Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.). Tables should have titles above them; figures should have captions below. Bilingual theses should include English and Chinese captions for all tables and figures.

Every table and figure should be referenced in the text before it appears. This helps readers understand the purpose and significance of each visual element.

Page Numbering

Number all pages consecutively using Arabic numerals. Page numbers should appear centered at the bottom of each page or in the bottom right corner. The title page is typically not numbered.

Appendices

Appendices should contain supplementary material that supports your argument but would disrupt the main narrative if included in chapters. Label appendices as Appendix A, Appendix B, and so on, each on a separate page.

All appendices should be listed in your table of contents and include descriptive titles.

Formatting for Bilingual Theses

If your thesis is bilingual, establish a clear formatting convention. Some options include:

• Alternate chapters in each language
• Present each section in both languages sequentially
• Maintain primary language for main text with abstracts and key sections in the other language

Confirm your approach with your supervisor and department administrator.

Digital and Print Submission

Peking University requires both digital and print submission of theses. Digital submission should be in PDF format with proper formatting preserved. Print copies should be professionally bound using university-approved binding materials and specifications.

Test your PDF carefully to ensure all formatting, fonts, and images display correctly before submission.

Using GenText for Peking University Theses

GenText assists with bilingual thesis management by maintaining consistent formatting across Chinese and English text. The tool helps organize both language versions of your front matter, abstracts, and key sections.

Citation management features automatically format references according to your chosen style, whether Author-Date or numerical. GenText’s outline and organization tools help structure complex bilingual documents logically.

Common Formatting Problems

• Inconsistent font usage between Chinese and English text
• Incorrect margins, particularly not accounting for binding space
• Bilingual elements missing or improperly translated
• Inconsistent citation formatting
• Improper spacing in block quotations
• Tables and figures not properly numbered or captioned
• Front matter sections out of proper order

Final Checklist

Before submitting your thesis, verify:

• All margins are exactly 2.5cm (or 3cm on left for binding)
• Font is consistent: Song 12pt for Chinese, Times New Roman 12pt for English
• Line spacing is double throughout main text
• All pages are numbered correctly
• Abstract appears in both Chinese and English
• Keywords are provided in both languages
• All tables and figures are numbered and captioned appropriately
• Citations follow chosen style consistently
• Front matter is in correct order
• Both digital PDF and print copies meet specifications

Meeting Peking University’s comprehensive formatting standards ensures your thesis is properly archived and recognized within the institution’s scholarly record.