leeds dissertation format

Dissertation Format Regulations

Please click on each of the seven headings below to see the regulations which must be followed to format your dissertation correctly:

1. Number of copies

One electronic copy must be uploaded to the Assessed Assignment Submission area, within the module section of Minerva.

A hard copy of the Dissertation is not required.  

If you need to upload any additional data in a separate document, there is an additional submission area to upload this.

2. Indicative length

The main body of the Dissertation must not exceed the word limit.

Does Count toward word count

The word count covers everything within the main text of the Dissertation, including:

• the abstract and contents page
• lists of tables and illustrative material
• any tables, diagrams, subtitles, footnotes and references which are included within the main text.

Does not Count toward word count

The word count does not include;

• the title page and front cover
• any acknowledgements
• bibliographies
• end lists of references

Words presented as images

Any words presented in graphs, tables, or other graphics must be included in the word count.

Words displayed in these formats may need to be counted manually, as they will not be detected by the word count function on most word processing software.

Appendix Abuse

You must not use appendices to present matters of substance which should be included in the main body of the text.

The text must remain understandable without reference to any appendices.

3. Text and Layout

Font and size.

Dissertations should be presented using a standard font, and a font size of between 10 and 12 points.

Text must not be presented using only upper case letters.

Line Spacing

All standard text must be presented using double or one and a half line spacing.

Indented quotations and footnotes have an exception to the above rule, and may use single spacing.

For Microsoft Word this means standard dissertation text should have a spacing setting of either 2.0 or 1.5

Margins along all sides of the document (left, right, top and bottom) should not be less than 2.5cm (25mm).

For reference, the "normal" margins setting on a Microsoft Word document is 2.54cm on all sides - this is acceptable.

4. Pagination

All pages of text and appendices in your dissertation should be numbered consecutively.

Images and diagrams should also have their own consecutive numbering where possible.

5. Title Page

You must use the Leeds University Business School Dissertation / Project coversheet as your title page.

This can be downloaded from the Forms and Guidance Page

6. Table of Contents

Your dissertation document must include a contents page.

The contents page should list all main numbered chapter headings (such as 1, 2 , 3).

It is good practice to break down chapters into numbered sections, and these should also be listed on your contents page (such as 1.1, 1.2, 1.3).

Please carefully check the section above on word counts (2. indicative length) for information on which text contributes to your maximum permitted word count.

7. Acknowledgements

It is common to include a list of acknowledgements at the start of your dissertation, but you do not have to do so.

Students may wish to acknowledge the help their Supervisor provided, as well as the support of others such as family members or friends.

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Regulations, codes, policies and procedures for postgraduate research

Key regulations, learning outcomes, procedure and policy documents that apply to research students at Leeds, mentioned in the Research Student Handbook and Guide for Research Degree Supervisors.

Some of these are specific to research degree candidates, others apply to both taught and research students, and some apply to research students in their role as staff members and active researchers.

Formal Regulations and Codes of Practice

• Faculty protocols for the implementation of the CoP for Research Degree Candidatures 
• Ordinances and Regulations and Programmes of Study for research degrees and higher doctorates
• Intellectual property rights (PDF)
• Student contract
• Data Protection
• Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Students Engaged in Teaching 

Progress and Monitoring

• Attendance monitoring – PGR students policy and guidance
• Transfer panel guidance
• Annual Progress Review (Post-Transfer) Guidelines
• Progress support procedure (PSP) (PDF)
• Suspensions/Extensions of Study - Policy 
• Concurrent registrations 
• Students enrolling on taught modules 
• Changes to research degree arrangements

Thesis Submission and Examination

• The Guide to the thesis examination process for students (which includes the thesis format requirements)
• Postgraduate research proofreading policy and guidance  (pdf)
• Guide for candidates referred for resubmission 
• Protocol for the format and presentation of an alternative style of doctoral thesis including published material (for candidates registered in the Faculty of Environment )
• Protocol for the format and presentation of an alternative style of doctoral thesis including published material (for candidates registered in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences )
• Protocol for the format and presentation of an alternative style of doctoral thesis including published material (for candidates registered in the Faculty of Biological Sciences )
• Protocol for the format and presentation of an alternative style of doctoral thesis including published material (for candidates registered in the Faculty of Medicine and Health )
• Protocol for the format and presentation of an alternative style of doctoral thesis including published material (for candidates registered in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures )
• Guidelines on the Use of Solely or Jointly-Authored Publications within a Thesis Submission 
• Submission of a thesis in a language other than English (applies only to candidates registered in the School of Languages, Cultures & Societies)
• Inclusion of supplementary material within a thesis submission for examination
• Policy for the use of video streaming for the viva examination
• Criteria for the appointment of examiners and independent chairs
• Guide for External Examiner Briefings
• External Examiner's fees
• Process in the event of a disagreement between examiners
• Research Excellence Policy
• Suspensions and extensions to correction periods/referral period 
• Diploma Supplement and Statement: Guidance and Information

Complaints, Appeals and Disciplinary Matters

For all regulations and procedures relating to complaints, appeals and disciplinary matters please visit the Student Cases page on the Secretariat website

• Procedures for investigating plagiarism in research degree work prior to and within the submission for a research degree 

Engaging in research 

• Research Ethics   (including policy, good practice and advice, ethical review forms and training)
• National Researcher Development Framework
• Research Ethics - training and support from OD&PL
• Policy on Safeguarding Data
• Code of Practice on Data Protection  (including Guidelines for retention of personal data  and Request form for access to personal data)
• Policy on Publication

For supervisors, Directors of Postgraduate Research Studies and examiners

• PGR Supervisor Handbook (PDF)
• Eligibility for Research Degree Supervision 

Doctoral College handbooks

Doctoral College Handbook 2023-24

The Doctoral College main handbook contains information that is relevant to all PGRs.  The annexes contain informaion that is specific to PGRs in those schools or faculties: 

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures: School of Design Handbook Annex 2023-24 School of English Handbook Annex 2023-24 School of FAHACS Handbook Annex 2023-24 School of History Handbook Annex 2023-24 School of LCS Handbook Annex 2023-24 School of Media Handbook Annex 2023-24 School of Music Handbook Annex 2023-24 School of PCI Handbook Annex 2023-24 School of PRHS Handbook Annex 2023-24

Faculty of Biological Sciences Handbook Annex 2023-24

Leeds University Business School Handbook Annex 2023-24

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Handbook Annex 2023-24

Faculty of Environment Handbook Annex 2023-24

Faculty of Medicine and Health Handbook Annex 2023-24

Faculty of Social Sciences: School of Education Handbook Annex 2023-24 School of Law Handbook Annex 2023-24 School of POLIS Handbook Annex 2023-24 School of SSP Handbook Annex 2023-24

Other relevant University Codes and Policies

• Regulations for Use of Library
• Conditions for Use of Computer Systems
• Use of Electronic Networks and Communications 
• Equality and Diversity Policies 
• Code of Practice on Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination 
• Whistleblowing procedure (PDF)
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• Student Mental Health
• Code of Practice on Student Health and Conduct (DOCX)
• Reasonable adjustments and support for PGR level assessment/examination

Ordinance and Regulations and Programmes of Study for Research Degrees (archive)

Contains the formal regulations and requirements for the University’s research degrees regarding entry requirements, learning outcomes, assessment of progress, time limits for examination and the criteria which must be met before research degrees can be awarded. 

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Submitting your thesis for examination

When you are preparing to submit your thesis for examination, take some time to familiarise yourself with the deadlines involved as well as the required format for submission.

Please see the Guide to the thesis submission process on the Policies and Procedures page of the SES website for more information on the processes explained on this webpage.   

To complete the thesis submission, you need to upload a PDF copy of your thesis to GRAD. You are invited to upload a Covid-19 impact statement alongside your thesis which discusses any impacts of Covid-19 on your research plans, and the choices made to respond to this.  Please use the template provided which is available on the Research degree assessment page of the For Students website . This should be uploaded to GRAD alongside your thesis submission.  

Thesis format regulations

When you are preparing to submit your thesis, please take time to read the Guide to the thesis examination process which includes information on: 

• entering for examination and completing the relevant examination entry workflow in GRAD. 
• the content and layout of your thesis (including font size, margins, pagination, referencing styles, illustrative materials, abbreviations) 
• the presentation of the title page and the statements which must be included in your thesis
• thesis length requirements, and what to do if you think you might exceed them 
• including work from any jointly-authored publication in your thesis (please see the Guidelines on the Use of Solely or Jointly-Authored Publications within a Thesis Submission on the Policies and Procedures page of the SES website )
• advice on what to expect before, during and after the viva 
• advice on eThesis preparation and presentation 
• including supplementary material alongside your thesis submission (please see the Policy on Inclusion of supplementary material within a thesis submission for examination on the Policies and Procedures page of the SES website ) 
• submission of a thesis in a language other than English (applies only to candidates registered in the School of Languages, Cultures & Societies) (please see the policy on the Policies and Procedures page of the SES website ) 

Alternative format thesis including published material

This model of submission is currently only available to postgraduate researchers (PGRs) registered in the in the Faculties of Environment, EPS (Engineering Schools only), Biological Sciences, Medicine and Health or Arts, Humanities and Cultures. PGRs in these faculties who wish to consider this route to submission must first discuss this with their supervisory team. This model of thesis can only be submitted where the supervisory team supports this format of submission and is satisfied it is appropriate and meets the protocol in place for that faculty. Please see the Faculty Protocols for the format and presentation of an alternative style of doctoral thesis including published material on the Policies and Procedures page of the SES website .  

Dual Award PhDs

If you are registered on a Dual Award PhD, there may be particular expectations for your thesis and/or viva, depending on your programme of study. Please consult our Dual Award Guidance below, which includes further information for each of the Dual Awards and which sets out any additional examination information you may need to be aware of. 

Dual Award Guidance - General Guidance for all awards

University of Leeds – University of Copenhagen   University of Leeds – University of Coimbra   University of Leeds – University of Ljubljana   University of Leeds – Lulea Technical University  

Guidance to follow:

University of Leeds – Nanjing University  University of Leeds – Beijing Jiaotong University  University of Leeds – Petroleum University of China (QingDao Campus) (UPC)  University of Leeds – Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU)

Deadline for submission

You should aim to submit your thesis within the standard period of study for the research degree programme upon which you are registered. However, you must submit your thesis for examination by the maximum time limit for your programme. Your standard period of study and maximum time limit dates are visible on your GRAD record. If difficulties arise you must talk to your Graduate School as soon as possible for advice. See the Examination process overview page of the For Students website for more information on the submission timings on your deadline date.

Submitting your thesis early

In some cases you may be able to submit your thesis early, before the end of your standard period of study. Your Director of Postgraduate Research Studies (DPGRS) must submit a recommendation to the Graduate Board’s Programmes and Examinations Group for a reduction to your period of study. Early submission of the thesis can only be made where it is supported by your supervisor and your DPGRS if: 

(a) the thesis is complete and ready for submission and  

(b) it has been read by your supervisor in its entirety  

Your supervisor must confirm in writing that they have read your thesis and that their view is that it is ready to be examined. There are limits to the length of the reduction that can be approved. Please see further information about the limits and the process to be followed on the How long does a research degree take? page of the For Students website . 

Uploading a PDF to GRAD

You must upload a PDF copy of your thesis to GRAD using the GRAD Thesis Submission workflow. Please see the Guide to the thesis examination process for further advice. Please contact your Graduate School in advance of your thesis submission if there are any concerns with this, for example, if there are confidentiality or commercially sensitive issues with your research. 

Practice-led research degrees

Please make sure you are fully aware of the submission requirements for your degree. You can find more information by checking the practice-led policy for your faculty or school on the Research Degrees Codes of Practice page on the SES website . 

After submission

Your thesis will be sent out to your examiners normally within 10 working days of submission, providing that it meets the University's requirements and your examination entry workflow has been approved by the Examinations Group. A GRAD email notification (to your University account) will be sent to confirm that your thesis has been sent out to your examiners, and will include advice about the next stages in the process. If Doctoral College Operations has only recently received your examination entry workflow (or your workflow has not yet been completed), if there are any issues with the length or formatting of the thesis, or if your thesis has been submitted after the maximum time limit there may be a delay in sending your thesis out for examination.  

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Finding information.

See the Finding Information page which explains what searching techniques there are so that you can find the most relevant information for your needs. It also has tips on saving results and how to evaluate your sources.

Collections of dissertations and theses

Free access to full text European doctoral theses - over 1 million open access research theses from over 500 universities in 29 European countries.

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Access to ALL theses produced by UK Higher Education for researchers Worldwide. You can search the EThOS database without having to register. You do, however, need to register and log in if you want to download a thesis from EThOS or to order digitisation of a thesis.

Provides access to 5 million citations to dissertations and theses from around the world, with nearly 3 million full text dissertations available for download. Please note that, despite global coverage, much of the content is North American.

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Within Leeds Beckett

You can search the University repository for past Leeds Beckett research and the  Thesis and Research Data Repository (Figshare)  contains online postgraduate research theses/dissertations from Leeds Beckett students.

The Library also has some hard copies of old dissertations and theses. You can consult these to see how previous students conducted and presented their work.

Search on Discover for dissertations and theses held in the Library:

Books to help with your dissertation

Search Discover for other books to help you write your dissertation:

Help from the Library

• Book an appointment with your Librarians who can help you find resources including journal articles, statistics and more.
• Use the Skills for Learning website for step-by-step guidance on how to plan and manage your workload, and how to structure your dissertation. The Finding Information and Literature Reviews sections will be particularly useful to you. 
• Have a look at the Skills for Learning workshops and drop-ins you could attend.
• Look at the Discover FAQs to get the most out of using this resource.
• Use our Request It! service for any books or articles you'd like to read that we don't have at Leeds Beckett.
• Join SCONUL Access to visit other university libraries to look at their print books or journals.

Ask us about dissertations - try searching our frequently asked questions

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