University of Waterloo Thesis Formatting Guide

University of Waterloo Thesis Formatting Standards

The University of Waterloo maintains comprehensive formatting guidelines for master’s theses and doctoral dissertations across all departments and schools. These standards ensure professional presentation and consistency in scholarly work.

Essential Formatting Standards

Font and Typography

University of Waterloo requires professional, clearly readable fonts suitable for academic and technical work. Times New Roman or Arial at 12-point size are standard choices. Your font must be consistent throughout the main text.

Headings may be formatted in bold or larger font sizes for visual distinction, but maintain the same font family as body text.

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.

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, tables, and appendices may be single-spaced.

Title Page and Front Matter

Your title page must include:

• University name and department
• Thesis title (centered, bold, in title case)
• Your full name
• Degree sought (Master of Applied Science, Doctor of Philosophy, etc.)
• Department name
• Names of thesis supervisor(s)
• Date of submission

The front matter should follow this order:

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

Chapter Organization

Number chapters using Arabic numerals: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and so on. Chapter titles should be descriptive and formatted distinctly from body text.

Maintain a clear hierarchical structure for subheadings. Use consistent formatting for each heading level throughout your thesis.

Citation Style

University of Waterloo typically requires APA citation style (Author-Date system). Some departments may accept other styles, so confirm with your supervisor.

Whichever style you adopt, apply it consistently throughout your entire document. Your reference list should appear at the end and include complete publication information for every source.

GenText supports APA and other major citation styles, automatically formatting your references.

Quotations and Block Quotes

Short quotations should be incorporated into paragraph text with quotation marks and citations. Longer quotations should be formatted as indented block quotes, set in from the left margin and single-spaced, without quotation marks.

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.

Reference all tables and figures in your text before they appear.

Page Numbering

Number all pages consecutively using Arabic numerals. Page numbers should appear in the top right corner or bottom center of each page.

Abstract and Keywords

Your abstract should be approximately 200-300 words and summarize your entire thesis. Include your research objectives, methodology, key findings, and conclusions.

Write in third person and past tense. Include 5-8 keywords representing your research topic.

Appendices

Appendices should contain material that supports your argument but would disrupt the flow if included in chapters. Label appendices as Appendix A, Appendix B, and so on.

Digital and Print Submission

University of Waterloo requires both digital and print submission of theses. Digital submission should be in PDF format with all formatting preserved. Test your PDF carefully to ensure proper display.

Print copies should be professionally bound according to university specifications. Confirm current submission procedures with your department office.

Using GenText for Waterloo Theses

GenText simplifies 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 APA and other styles, automatically formatting your references according to your chosen system.

Common Formatting Issues

• Inconsistent font sizes or styles
• Incorrect margins or inconsistent spacing
• Improper spacing in block quotations
• Inconsistent citation formatting
• Missing or poorly formatted tables and figures
• Incorrect page numbering
• Incomplete or improperly ordered front matter

Final Checklist

Before submitting your thesis, verify:

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

Adhering to University of Waterloo’s comprehensive formatting standards ensures your thesis meets institutional requirements.