University of Lagos Thesis Formatting Guide

University of Lagos Thesis Formatting Standards

The University of Lagos maintains rigorous formatting guidelines for master’s theses and doctoral dissertations across all colleges and faculties. These comprehensive standards ensure professional presentation, consistency, and proper preservation of scholarly work within the university’s academic repository.

Essential Formatting Standards

Font and Typography

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

Headings may be formatted in bold or larger font sizes to create visual distinction, but maintain the same font family as body text. This ensures professional appearance while maintaining readability in both digital and print formats.

Margin Specifications

Standard margins are 1.5 inches on all sides: top, bottom, left, and right. These margins accommodate proper binding for archived copies and ensure professional appearance for both digital viewing and printed thesis copies.

Line Spacing

Double-spacing is required for the main body of your thesis. This applies to all chapter text, quoted material within the text, and most supplementary content. Footnotes, endnotes, tables, and appendices may be single-spaced for efficiency, though consistent spacing is appreciated.

Title Page and Front Matter

Your title page must include:

• University name and college/faculty designation
• Thesis title (centered, bold, in title case)
• Your full name
• Student ID number
• Degree sought (Master of Philosophy, Doctor of Philosophy, etc.)
• Department or school name
• Name of thesis advisor
• Month and year of submission

The front matter should follow this order:

• Title page
• Declaration of authorship and originality
• Acknowledgments (optional)
• Abstract (200-300 words)
• Table of contents
• List of figures (if applicable)
• List of tables (if applicable)

Chapter Structure and Organization

Number chapters clearly and consistently using Arabic numerals. Chapter headings should be descriptive and formatted distinctly from body text, typically using bold formatting or capitalization.

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

Citation and Reference Style

University of Lagos typically requires APA citation style. This system uses in-text citations with author and year references, supported by a comprehensive reference list at the end of your thesis arranged alphabetically by author surname.

Some departments may accept Harvard or Chicago styles, so confirm the required citation method with your supervisor or department coordinator before beginning your research.

GenText can automate APA citation formatting, ensuring consistency throughout your document while you focus on developing your research arguments and findings.

Quotations and Block Quotes

Short quotations (fewer than 40 words) should be incorporated into paragraph text with quotation marks and citations. Longer quotations should be formatted as indented block quotes, set 0.5 inches from the left margin and single-spaced, without quotation marks.

Provide source citations immediately following all quotations, including page numbers when available. This aids readers in locating specific passages in source material.

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 any tables or figures derived from published sources.

Reference all tables and figures in your text before they appear. Explain their significance and how they support your argument. Ensure all visual elements are clearly formatted and easy to read.

Page Numbering System

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 in the numbering sequence but the number does not appear on it.

Abstract and Keywords

Your abstract should be approximately 200-300 words and provide a concise summary of your entire thesis. It should include your research question or purpose, methodology employed, key findings or conclusions, and the significance of your work.

Write your abstract in third person and 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 and Supplementary Material

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

Label appendices sequentially 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.

Reference List Organization

In APA style, arrange your reference list alphabetically by author surname. Include complete publication information for every source you cite in your thesis. Format entries consistently according to APA guidelines for different source types—books, journal articles, websites, etc.

Every source referenced in your text must appear in the reference list, and every item in the reference list should be cited somewhere in your thesis.

Digital and Print Submission

University of Lagos requires both digital and print submission of theses. Digital submission should be in PDF format with all formatting preserved. Test your PDF carefully on multiple devices to ensure fonts display properly, margins are correct, and all images and tables are visible.

Print copies should be professionally bound according to university specifications. Confirm current submission procedures with your graduate office or college administration.

Using GenText for Lagos Theses

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

APA citation management features automatically format your references according to APA style guidelines, updating them as your thesis develops. GenText’s outline and organizational features help you structure chapters logically and maintain consistent numbering.

Common Formatting Issues to Avoid

• Inconsistent font sizes or styles throughout the document
• Incorrect margin widths or inconsistent spacing
• Improper spacing in block quotations
• Inconsistent or incomplete citation formatting
• Missing or poorly formatted tables and figures
• Incorrect page numbering or numbering inconsistencies
• Incomplete or improperly ordered front matter sections

Pre-Submission Verification Checklist

Before submitting your thesis, verify:

• All margins are exactly 1.5 inches on all sides
• Font is consistently 12 points throughout
• Line spacing is double throughout main text
• Page numbers appear correctly on every page
• Abstract is 200-300 words with appropriate keywords
• Citations follow APA style consistently
• All tables and figures are numbered and captioned
• Front matter appears in correct order
• Both digital PDF and print copies meet all specifications

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