What is the standard font size for University of Ghana theses?

University of Ghana requires 12-point font, preferably Times New Roman or Arial. The font must be consistent throughout the document.

What are the margin requirements?

Standard margins are 1.25 inches on all sides. These accommodate proper binding and professional presentation.

Which citation style does University of Ghana use?

University of Ghana typically accepts APA or Harvard citation styles. Confirm with your department for specific requirements.

University of Ghana Thesis Formatting Guide

University of Ghana Thesis Formatting Standards

The University of Ghana maintains comprehensive formatting guidelines for master’s theses and doctoral dissertations across all colleges and schools. These standards ensure professional presentation and consistency in scholarly research while supporting the university’s commitment to academic excellence.

Core Formatting Standards

Font and Typography

University of Ghana requires professional, readable fonts suitable for academic work. Times New Roman is preferred; Arial is also acceptable. Your font size must be consistently 12 points throughout the main text.

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 in both digital and print formats.

Margin Specifications

Standard margins are 1.25 inches on all sides: top, bottom, left, and right. These margins accommodate proper binding for archival copies and maintain professional appearance for both digital viewing and print publication.

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, tables, and appendices may be single-spaced, though consistency is appreciated.

Title Page and Front Matter

Your title page must include:

University name and college/school designation
Thesis title (centered, bold, in title case)
Your full name and student ID
Degree sought (Master of Philosophy, Doctor of Philosophy, etc.)
Your department or field of study
Name of advisor
Month and year of submission

The front matter should follow this order:

Title page
Declaration of originality and authorship
Acknowledgments (optional)
Abstract (150-250 words)
Table of contents
List of figures (if applicable)
List of tables (if applicable)

Chapter Organization and Headings

Number chapters using Arabic numerals: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and so on. Chapter titles should be descriptive and formatted distinctly from body text, typically using bold formatting.

Maintain a clear hierarchical structure for subheadings. Use consistent formatting for each heading level throughout your thesis. This hierarchical organization helps readers follow your argument and improves document navigation.

Citation Methodology

University of Ghana typically accepts:

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

Confirm the required citation style with your department or supervisor before beginning your research. Whichever style you adopt, apply it consistently throughout your entire document. Your reference list should appear at the end of your thesis and include complete publication information for every source you cite.

GenText’s citation management tools support both APA and Harvard styles, automatically formatting your references according to your chosen system while you focus on developing your research.

Quotations and Block Quotes

Short quotations should be incorporated into paragraph text with quotation marks and citations. Longer quotations (typically more than 40 words) 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. Include page numbers in citations whenever possible to aid readers in locating specific passages.

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, explaining their significance and how they support your argument. Ensure all visual elements are clearly formatted and easy to read.

Page Numbering

Number all pages consecutively using Arabic numerals. Page numbers should appear in the top 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 150-250 words and provide a concise summary of your entire thesis. Include your research question, methodology, key findings, and significance. Write in third person, past tense.

Include 5-8 keywords that represent your research topic. These keywords aid in database indexing and help other researchers locate your work.

Appendices

Appendices should contain material that supports your argument but would interrupt the flow if included in chapters. Examples include raw data, interview transcripts, detailed calculations, questionnaires, or extended tables.

Label appendices as Appendix A, Appendix B, and so on. Each appendix should have a descriptive title and appear on a separate page. Include all appendices in your table of contents.

Referencing System Details

When using APA style, provide in-text citations with author and year, with a comprehensive reference list at the end. When using Harvard style, follow similar Author-Date conventions with a bibliography or references section.

Ensure that every source you reference in the text appears in your reference list, and every item in your reference list is cited in the text.

Digital and Print Submission

University of Ghana requires both digital and print submission of theses. Digital submission should be in PDF format with all formatting preserved. Print copies should be professionally bound according to university specifications.

Confirm current submission procedures with your graduate office. Your thesis will be permanently archived in the university library and may be available through digital repositories.

Using GenText for Ghana Theses

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

Citation management features support both APA and Harvard styles, automatically formatting your references according to your chosen system. GenText’s organizational tools help you structure chapters logically and maintain consistent numbering for pages, chapters, figures, and tables.

Common Formatting Issues

Inconsistent font sizes or styles
Incorrect margins or inconsistent spacing
Improper spacing in block quotations
Inconsistent citation formatting
Missing or poorly formatted tables and figures
Incorrect page numbering
Incomplete or improperly ordered front matter

Final Checklist

Before submitting your thesis, verify:

All margins are exactly 1.25 inches
Font is consistently 12 points and professional
Line spacing is double throughout main text
Page numbers appear correctly on all pages
Citations follow your chosen style consistently
All tables and figures are numbered and captioned
Abstract is 150-250 words with appropriate keywords
Front matter is in correct order
Both digital PDF and print copies meet specifications

Adhering to University of Ghana’s comprehensive formatting standards ensures your thesis meets institutional requirements and is properly preserved in the university library’s archives.