Universidad de los Andes Thesis Formatting Guide

Universidad de los Andes Thesis Formatting Standards

Universidad de los Andes maintains comprehensive formatting guidelines for master’s theses and doctoral dissertations across all faculties. These standards ensure professional presentation and consistency in scholarly work while accommodating both Spanish and English-language research.

Core Formatting Standards

Font and Typography

Universidad de los Andes requires professional, readable fonts suitable for academic work. Times New Roman at 12pt is the standard choice for body text. Arial or Calibri at 12pt are also acceptable. Select one font and maintain consistency 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. This creates a professional appearance while ensuring readability.

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.

These measurements ensure proper archiving and allow for both digital and print publication of your work.

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 faculty
• Thesis title (centered, bold, in title case)
• Your full name
• Degree sought
• Department name
• Name of advisor
• Date of submission

The front matter should follow this order:

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

Language Considerations

Universidad de los Andes primarily requires theses in Spanish. Some international doctoral programs may accept English submissions, but this must be confirmed in advance with your department.

If your thesis is in Spanish, provide an English abstract and keywords. This ensures your research is accessible to international members of the academic community.

Chapter Organization

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

Universidad de los Andes typically accepts:

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

Confirm the required citation style with your faculty or supervisor. Whichever style you choose, apply it consistently throughout your entire document. Your reference list should include complete publication information for all sources cited.

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

Quotations and Block Quotes

Short quotations should be incorporated into paragraph text with quotation marks and citations. Longer quotations (typically more than three lines) should be formatted as indented block quotes, set 1cm 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. Include source attributions for visual elements derived from published sources.

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. The title page is typically counted but the number does not appear on it.

Abstract and Keywords

Your abstract should be approximately 250-300 words and summarize your entire thesis concisely. Provide abstracts in both Spanish 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 as “Apéndice A,” “Apéndice B,” and so on.

Digital and Print Submission

Universidad de los Andes 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 Universidad de los Andes 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 sizes or styles
• Incorrect margins or insufficient binding space
• Improper spacing in block quotations
• Inconsistent citation formatting
• Missing or poorly formatted tables and figures
• Missing 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 consistently 12pt and professional
• 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 Universidad de los Andes’s comprehensive formatting standards ensures your thesis meets institutional requirements.