University of Warwick Thesis Format Guide

The University of Warwick maintains specific formatting standards for all graduate theses and dissertations. This guide provides comprehensive details on Warwick’s formatting requirements across all faculties and departments.

Page Setup and Margins

Warwick’s margin specifications accommodate binding and archival requirements while maintaining optimal readability.

Left Margin: 35mm (approximately 1.38 inches) - Required for binding without obscuring text.

Right Margin: 20mm (approximately 0.79 inches) - Standard margin providing adequate white space.

Top Margin: 20mm (approximately 0.79 inches) - Applied consistently across all pages.

Bottom Margin: 20mm (approximately 0.79 inches) - Maintains proper spacing for page numbers and footnotes.

Paper Size: A4 (210mm x 297mm) is the standard.

Page Orientation: Portrait (vertical) orientation throughout. Landscape pages may be used for oversized tables/figures.

Implementation in Word: Set margins via Page Layout > Margins > Custom Margins (left: 35mm, right: 20mm, top: 20mm, bottom: 20mm).

Font Requirements

Warwick maintains clear specifications for fonts and spacing to ensure readability.

Body Text Font: Times New Roman in 12-point size. Arial and other sans-serif fonts are acceptable alternatives.

Line Spacing: Double-spacing (2.0) is required for all body text. Use Home > Line Spacing > 2.0 after selecting all text.

Footnotes and Endnotes: May be single-spaced (1.5) in 10-point font for citations and supplementary information.

Font Consistency: Maintain the same font throughout the body. Avoid mixing font types.

Headings: Chapter headings in 14-point bold, section headings in 12-point bold, subsection headings in 12-point bold italic.

Tables and Figures: May use fonts as small as 10-point if necessary for clarity and fit.

Title Page Format

Your title page is the formal introduction to your thesis and must follow Warwick’s precise specifications.

Required Elements:

• University of Warwick
• Thesis title
• Author name
• Degree (e.g., Doctor of Philosophy)
• Department/Faculty
• Date of submission

Layout: Center all elements. Place the title prominently in the middle of the page, with your name below, and submission information at the bottom. Maintain visual balance with adequate white space.

Page Numbering: The title page is not numbered, though it counts as page i in the front matter sequence.

Line Spacing: Single-spacing for the title page.

No Headers or Footers: Omit headers and footers from the title page.

Abstract Requirements

The abstract is a concise summary of your research and must meet Warwick specifications.

Length: Between 200-300 words for most Warwick theses. Check your department for specific requirements.

Content: Summarize your research question, methodology, key findings, and implications. Write in past tense and third person.

Page Placement: The abstract should appear on its own page following the title page.

Title: Center “ABSTRACT” at the top in capitals.

Page Numbering: Use lowercase Roman numerals (ii, iii, etc.) for the abstract page.

Formatting: Double-spaced, using the same font and size as body text.

Table of Contents

Your table of contents provides a roadmap through your thesis.

Format: Include all chapter titles and major section headings with corresponding page numbers. Subsections may be included.

Page Numbers: Use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii) for front matter pages and Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) for body pages.

Title: Center “CONTENTS” at the top in capitals.

Formatting: Double-spaced. Use dot leaders connecting headings to page numbers.

Automatic Generation: Use Word’s References > Table of Contents to automatically generate your table of contents.

Heading Styles and Hierarchy

Consistent heading hierarchy improves readability and document organization.

Chapter Headings (Level 1): 14-point bold, all capitals or title case, centered. Begin each chapter on a new page.

Section Headings (Level 2): 12-point bold, title case, left-aligned.

Subsection Headings (Level 3): 12-point bold italic, title case, left-aligned.

Paragraph Headings (Level 4): 12-point bold, run-in style, followed by a period.

Consistency: Use Word’s Styles gallery to define and apply consistent styles for each heading level.

Page Numbering

Proper page numbering follows Warwick conventions throughout your thesis.

Front Matter: Use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv) for title page, abstract, acknowledgments, and table of contents. The title page is not numbered but counts as page i.

Body Text: Begin with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) starting from your introduction or first chapter. Continue through conclusion and bibliography.

Appendices: Continue Arabic numerals through all appendices.

Page Number Location: Place page numbers in the upper right corner or center them at the bottom. Be consistent.

Implementation: Use Insert > Page Numbers. Insert Section Breaks between front matter and body text to change numbering styles.

Citation Style Requirements

Warwick permits different citation styles depending on discipline.

Sciences and Engineering: Harvard referencing (author-date system) is standard. Uses in-text citations (Author, Year) and a reference list.

Humanities: Footnote-based systems (Chicago Manual of Style) are common. Uses numbered footnotes/endnotes with a bibliography.

Social Sciences: Varies by department. APA or Harvard are both acceptable.

Department Verification: Always check with your department for specific citation requirements before beginning your thesis.

Using GenText: GenText’s citation generator supports Harvard, Chicago, APA, and other major formats. Generate accurate citations and build your bibliography automatically.

Figure and Table Formatting

All figures and tables must be professionally formatted and integrated into your text.

Table Titles: Place above tables in 12-point font. Number sequentially (Table 1, Table 2) or by chapter (Table 2.1).

Figure Captions: Place below figures in 12-point font. Number sequentially (Figure 1, Figure 2) or by chapter.

Source Citations: Include sources for all data. May appear as table/figure footnotes or in captions.

Sizing: Tables and figures must fit within margins. Oversized items may be placed on landscape pages.

Integration: Embed tables and figures in your text near where they are referenced.

Lists: Include a list of figures and/or list of tables in your front matter if you have more than 5 of either.

Bibliography and References

Your bibliography is a complete record of all sources cited in your thesis.

Organization: Arrange entries alphabetically by author’s last name. Follow your citation style precisely.

Completeness: Include all sources cited in your thesis. Include only sources actually referenced.

Title: Center “BIBLIOGRAPHY” or “REFERENCES” at the top in capitals.

Formatting: Use hanging indentation. Double-space throughout.

Appendices

Appendices contain supplementary material supporting your thesis.

Labeling: Label as “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” etc., or simply “APPENDIX” if only one.

Page Numbering: Continue Arabic numerals from main text through appendices.

Table of Contents: Include in your table of contents.

Content: Include supplementary materials such as raw data, calculations, questionnaires, or transcripts.

Formatting: Apply the same margins, fonts, spacing, and heading styles as main text.

Submission Requirements

Warwick requires submission of theses in both electronic and printed formats.

Electronic Format: Submit a PDF with embedded fonts to the Warwick Research Portal.

Printed Format: Submit bound copies to your department (typically 2-3 copies).

File Naming: Follow Warwick conventions, typically: LastName_FirstName_DPhil_2026.pdf

Metadata: Include thesis title, author name, degree, and year in PDF metadata.

Submission Deadlines: Check the Graduate School website for term-specific deadlines.

Binding: Use standard academic binding. Check with your department for approved binding methods.

Tips for Formatting in Microsoft Word

These techniques will help you efficiently format your thesis according to Warwick requirements.

Define Styles Early: Create custom styles for body text and all heading levels before writing.

Use Section Breaks: Insert Section Breaks to separate front matter from body text for different page numbering.

Configure Headers and Footers: Set up different headers/footers for different sections.

Insert Page Breaks: Use Ctrl+Enter to start new chapters on new pages.

Manage Footnotes: Use References > Footnotes to insert footnotes consistently.

Generate Table of Contents: Use References > Table of Contents to automatically generate your table of contents.

Verify Margins: Check all margins before finalizing via Page Layout > Margins > Custom Margins.

Related Resources and Tools

GenText provides resources to support your thesis formatting and citation requirements.

GenText Citation Generator: Supports Harvard, Chicago, APA, and other major citation formats.

Word Formatting Tutorials:

• How to Format a Thesis in Word
• How to Create and Update a Table of Contents
• How to Use Section Breaks for Different Page Numbering
• How to Create Custom Heading Styles

Conclusion

Proper thesis formatting at Warwick demonstrates professionalism and adherence to academic standards. Use Word’s formatting tools effectively, create custom styles early, and refer back to this guide and your department’s requirements throughout your thesis.

For the most current information on Warwick thesis requirements, consult your college or the University of Warwick Graduate School website. Department-specific requirements may vary, so always verify with your advisor.

With careful attention to these requirements, your thesis will meet all Warwick standards and present your research professionally.