Can I write my thesis in English at University of Lisbon?

Yes, University of Lisbon accepts theses in Portuguese or English depending on your program. International programs often accept English. Confirm language requirements with your department.

What are the standard margins?

Standard margins are 2.5cm on all sides, with a 3cm left margin if the thesis will be bound. These accommodate proper archiving and professional presentation.

Which citation style does Lisbon prefer?

University of Lisbon typically accepts Harvard, APA, or Chicago citation styles. Confirm specific requirements with your faculty before starting your research.

University of Lisbon Thesis Formatting Guide

University of Lisbon Thesis Formatting Standards

The University of Lisbon maintains comprehensive formatting guidelines for master’s theses and doctoral dissertations across all faculties and disciplines. These standards ensure professional presentation and consistency while accommodating both Portuguese and English-language research.

Essential Formatting Standards

Font and Typography

University of Lisbon 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 it consistently 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 ensures professional appearance while maintaining 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 are strictly enforced to ensure proper archiving and allow for both digital and print formats.

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 for consistency and professional appearance.

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 and discipline
Name of advisor
Date of submission

The front matter should follow this order:

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

Language Requirements

University of Lisbon accepts theses in Portuguese or English, depending on your program and faculty. International doctoral students often write in English, while many master’s programs prefer Portuguese.

If your thesis is in English, provide a Portuguese abstract and keywords. This ensures your research is accessible to Portuguese-speaking members of your faculty and the broader 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.

This hierarchical organization improves document structure and helps readers follow your argument.

Citation Methodology

University of Lisbon typically accepts:

Harvard style (Author-Date system)
APA style (Author-Date system)
Chicago Manual of Style

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.

GenText’s citation management tools support all major citation styles and can automatically format 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. If quoting from works in languages other than your thesis language, you may use translations but must cite the original publication.

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.

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 200-300 words and provide a concise summary of your entire thesis. Include abstracts in both Portuguese and English if applicable.

Include 5-8 keywords representing your research topic. Provide keywords in both languages if your thesis is bilingual.

Appendices

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

Label appendices as “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” and so on, each on a separate page. Include descriptive titles and list all appendices in your table of contents.

Formatting for Bilingual Content

If your thesis includes significant content in both Portuguese and English, establish clear formatting conventions. Language transitions should be clearly marked, and citations should include language information when appropriate.

Digital and Print Submission

University of Lisbon requires digital submission through their thesis repository system. Your thesis should be submitted in PDF format with all formatting preserved. Test your PDF on multiple devices to ensure proper display.

Print copies may also be required for archival purposes. Confirm current submission requirements with your graduate office. Bound copies should meet university specifications.

Using GenText for Lisbon 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 Harvard, APA, and Chicago styles, automatically formatting your references according to your chosen system. GenText’s organizational tools help structure chapters logically and maintain consistent numbering and cross-references.

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 Portuguese or English abstracts
Front matter elements out of proper order

Pre-Submission Verification

Before submitting your thesis, check:

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 required 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 University of Lisbon’s comprehensive formatting standards ensures your thesis meets institutional requirements and is properly preserved in the university’s academic repository.