University of Hong Kong Thesis Formatting Requirements

Introduction

The University of Hong Kong (HKU), a leading Asian research institution, maintains clear and comprehensive thesis formatting guidelines. Whether you’re pursuing a Master’s degree or doctorate, understanding these requirements ensures your thesis meets institutional standards. This guide covers all essential formatting specifications for HKU thesis submission.

Page Setup and Margin Requirements

Paper and Page Configuration

HKU requires A4 paper (210mm × 297mm) with the following margins:

• Top margin: 25mm
• Bottom margin: 25mm
• Left margin: 40mm (for binding)
• Right margin: 20mm

The asymmetrical margins accommodate binding while maintaining a balanced page appearance for digital viewing.

Line Spacing

Use 1.5 line spacing throughout your thesis, including the body text, block quotations, and footnotes. This spacing improves readability while maintaining a professional appearance.

Font and Typography Standards

Font Selection

• Body text: 12-point Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri
• Headings: 12-point or larger, same font family as body text
• Footnotes: 10-12 point, same font as body text
• Captions: 10-11 point, can be single-spaced

Maintain consistent font throughout the thesis. Avoid mixing multiple font families within the same section.

Text Formatting

Use bold for chapter titles and primary section headings. Italics are appropriate for book titles, journal names, and emphasis. Underlining is generally discouraged in favor of bold or italics.

Preliminary Pages Structure

Title Page Format

Your thesis title page must include:

1. University name: The University of Hong Kong
2. Degree awarded (Master of Philosophy, Doctor of Philosophy, etc.)
3. Faculty or school name
4. Full thesis title
5. Your full name
6. Date of submission

Center all information on the title page. Do not include a page number on the title page.

Declaration Page

Include a signed declaration confirming that:

• The work is your own original research
• It has not been submitted to another institution
• You understand academic integrity policies

The declaration must be signed and dated by you.

Abstract

Provide a 300-500 word abstract summarizing your research, methodology, and key findings. The abstract should be concise yet comprehensive, allowing readers to understand your work without reading the entire thesis.

Acknowledgments

The acknowledgments section is optional but recommended (1-2 pages). Express gratitude to advisors, supervisors, committee members, funding sources, and others who significantly contributed to your research.

Thesis Structure and Organization

Required Components

A complete HKU thesis typically includes:

1. Title page
2. Declaration of originality
3. Abstract
4. Acknowledgments (optional)
5. Table of contents
6. List of figures (if applicable)
7. List of tables (if applicable)
8. Introduction
9. Chapter 1-N (Main research chapters)
10. Conclusion
11. References/Bibliography
12. Appendices (if applicable)

Chapter Organization

Each chapter should have a clear number and descriptive title. Use a hierarchical heading structure:

• Chapter title: 14pt, bold
• Section heading: 13pt, bold
• Subsection heading: 12pt, bold or italic
• Paragraph subheading: 12pt, italic

Citation and References

Citation Methods

HKU primarily recommends Harvard style:

Book: Author, A. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.

Chow, R. (2007). The Politics of Admiration. Oxford University Press.

Journal Article: Author, A. & Author, B. (Year). Article title. Journal Title, Volume(Issue), pp. page-range.

Wong, P. H. & Leung, D. (2015). Cultural competence in psychological research. Asian Psychology Review, 22(3), pp. 245-260.

Reference List Format

Arrange all references alphabetically by author surname. Include complete bibliographic information for all sources. For electronic sources, include access dates and stable URLs when possible.

Tables and Figures

Table and Figure Captions

Tables have captions above the table (Table 1: Description). Figures have captions below (Figure 1: Description). Use consistent numbering throughout, either continuously or by chapter (Table 1.1, Table 1.2).

Quality Standards

All figures must be high-resolution (minimum 300dpi) suitable for printing. Tables should have professional formatting with clear borders and consistent spacing. Ensure color figures remain understandable when printed in black and white.

Illustration Lists

If your thesis contains more than five figures or tables, include comprehensive lists after the table of contents with page numbers.

Page Numbering and Headers

Numbering System

Front matter uses lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii). The main body begins with Arabic numeral 1 at the introduction chapter. Page numbers appear in the bottom right corner of every page.

Running Headers

Include your name and/or a shortened thesis title in the header of each page. Maintain consistent header formatting throughout the document.

Submission Procedures

Printed Submission

Submit two printed copies in professional binding with:

• Protective cover (color or clear plastic)
• Clear spine labeling (student name, short title, year)
• Secure binding (comb, spiral, or case binding)

Digital Submission

Submit one electronic copy through HKU’s designated online system. The digital file must:

• Be in PDF format
• Contain all pages with correct numbering
• Be searchable (not scanned images)
• Include active hyperlinks
• Have file size under 50MB
• Follow naming convention: LastName_FirstName_Degree_Year.pdf

Using GenText for HKU Thesis Formatting

GenText is a powerful tool for managing the comprehensive formatting requirements of HKU theses. This software ensures your document meets every institutional specification without manual formatting corrections.

GenText provides:

• Automatic style sheet application for consistent formatting
• Unified font and size management across the document
• Hierarchical heading level management
• Automatic table of contents and figure list generation
• Page numbering system with proper front matter handling
• Citation and reference formatting in Harvard style
• Professional table and figure caption generation
• Cross-reference linking for enhanced navigation

By implementing GenText from the beginning of your thesis writing, you’ll maintain consistent formatting throughout your document and eliminate the tedious manual adjustments required for complex academic documents.

Common Formatting Mistakes

1. Inconsistent line spacing: Verify 1.5 spacing is applied throughout, including quotations
2. Font size variations: Ensure body text is 12pt and headings are appropriately sized
3. Improper margins: Check binding margin is 40mm on the left
4. Citation inconsistencies: Verify all references match bibliography entries exactly
5. Missing page numbers: All pages except title page should be numbered

Pre-Submission Verification

Before finalizing submission, confirm:

• ✓ All margins are correctly set (40mm left, 25mm top/bottom/right)
• ✓ Body text is 12-point in consistent font
• ✓ Line spacing is 1.5 throughout entire document
• ✓ Page numbers appear in bottom right corner
• ✓ All chapters begin on new pages
• ✓ Table of contents and lists are accurate
• ✓ All tables and figures have descriptive captions
• ✓ References list is complete and properly formatted
• ✓ Declaration page is signed and dated
• ✓ Two printed copies are professionally bound
• ✓ Digital copy is searchable and properly named

Conclusion

Following HKU’s thesis formatting guidelines demonstrates your commitment to academic professionalism. With attention to these specific requirements and the support of formatting tools like GenText, your thesis will present your research in the polished, professional manner expected at one of Asia’s most prestigious universities.