University of Vienna Thesis Formatting Guide

University of Vienna Thesis Formatting Standards

The University of Vienna, one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities, maintains rigorous formatting guidelines for master’s theses and doctoral dissertations. These comprehensive standards ensure professional presentation and consistency across all faculties and disciplines.

Essential Formatting Requirements

Font and Typography Standards

University of Vienna requires professional, readable fonts suitable for academic work. Times New Roman at 12pt is the standard choice for body text. Arial or other sans-serif fonts at 12pt are also acceptable. Select one font and maintain it consistently throughout your entire thesis.

Headings should be formatted distinctly, typically using bold formatting or increased font size, but maintain the same font family as body text. This creates visual hierarchy while maintaining professional appearance.

Margin Specifications

University of Vienna specifies 2.5cm margins on all sides: top, bottom, left, and right. For theses that will be bound, some faculties allow an additional 0.5cm on the left margin (total 3cm) to accommodate binding.

Confirm your faculty’s specific margin requirements, as some may have variations. These measurements 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 Structure

Your title page should include:

• University name and faculty designation
• Thesis title (centered, bold, in title case)
• Your full name and student ID
• Name of advisor and co-advisors
• Degree sought (Magister, Doctor, etc.)
• Date of submission

The front matter should follow this order:

• Title page
• Declaration of originality and authorship
• Acknowledgments (optional)
• Abstract in English (if thesis is in German)
• Abstract in German (if thesis is in English)
• Table of contents
• List of figures (if applicable)
• List of tables (if applicable)

Language Requirements

University of Vienna accepts theses in German, English, or other designated languages depending on your program. International doctoral students often write in English, but many programs require German-language theses for Master’s degrees.

If your thesis is not in German, provide a German abstract and summary. This ensures your research is accessible to German-speaking members of your faculty and the broader Austrian 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 throughout your thesis.

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

Citation Methodology

University of Vienna typically accepts:

• Footnote-based citation systems (endnotes at chapter or document end)
• Author-Date systems (in-text citations with bibliography)
• Numeric citation systems for some disciplines

Confirm the required citation method with your faculty or supervisor. Whichever system you adopt, apply it consistently throughout your entire thesis. Your bibliography or reference list should include complete publication information for all sources cited.

GenText’s citation management tools can handle footnote, Author-Date, and numeric systems, automatically formatting your citations according to your chosen style.

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 tables or figures 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 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 in the language of your thesis. Provide an abstract in the other major language (German if your thesis is in English, English if your thesis is in German).

Include 5-10 keywords representing your research topic in both languages if applicable. Keywords aid in database indexing and help other researchers locate your work.

Appendices

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

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

Technical and Mathematical Content

Number equations consecutively if your thesis contains many mathematical elements. Each equation should be on a separate line with the number in parentheses on the right margin.

Create a list of symbols and abbreviations if your thesis uses numerous technical terms or specialized notation.

Digital and Print Submission

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

Print copies may also be required for archival purposes. Confirm current submission procedures with your department. Bound copies should meet university specifications for binding materials and quality.

Using GenText for Vienna 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 footnote, Author-Date, and numeric systems, automatically formatting your references according to your chosen method. GenText’s organizational tools help structure chapters logically and maintain consistent cross-references.

Common Formatting Issues

• Inconsistent font usage or sizes
• Incorrect margins or insufficient binding space
• Improper spacing in block quotations
• Inconsistent citation formatting
• Missing or poorly formatted tables and figures
• Incorrect or missing language-specific abstracts
• Front matter elements out of proper order

Pre-Submission Verification

Before submitting your thesis, check:

• All margins meet specifications (2.5cm standard, up to 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 if applicable
• Citations follow your chosen system 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 Vienna’s comprehensive formatting standards ensures your thesis meets institutional requirements and is properly preserved in the university’s digital repository and archives.