Practical tips for formatting a thesis

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21. 05. 2026
Diploma thesis

Writing a thesis is one of the most responsible stages of student life, summarizing all the knowledge acquired during the course of study. During the preparation process, many aspects should be considered, one of which is the proper formatting of the thesis. What should you pay attention to? In this article, we have collected the most effective tips that will be useful to you at the end of your university studies.

Types of thesis

Thesis is a qualifying academic work completed by a student at the final stage of study. It is the most important document that allows a graduate to obtain a bachelor's or master's degree.

The first thing to pay attention to at the beginning of the work is its type, as the further formatting depends on it.

Bachelor’s thesis

Bachelor’s thesis is a project completed by a student at the end of the 4th year of study in order to obtain the first level of higher education. A successfully completed thesis confirms that the student has mastered basic professional skills and is ready to work in their specialty.

The volume of a bachelor’s thesis should be 50-70 pages excluding appendices and the list of references, which should include 25-30 sources. This type of thesis allows for topic analysis without excessive depth.

Master’s thesis

Master’s thesis is a scientific paper that serves as the final stage in obtaining a master’s degree. Compared to a bachelor’s thesis, it is a much more serious type of academic work that requires an in-depth exploration of the topic with consideration of requirements for scientific novelty, research methods, the list of references, etc.

The recommended length of the paper is 70-90 pages, and the approximate number of sources used should follow this principle: at least one source per page. However, these criteria may vary depending on the higher education institution.

What should the structure of a thesis be like?

A thesis paper involves a significant number of requirements regarding structure and content. However, you can avoid difficulties by following this structure:

Title page – the first page of the thesis , usually formatted according to an established template.
Abstract – a brief overview of the thesis containing the topic, purpose, objectives, and main research methods.
Table of contents – a list of all sections, subsections, and appendices with page numbering.
List of abbreviations and symbols – a part of the thesis where all abbreviations, acronyms, and specific terms used in the text should be explained.
Introduction – an important section of a scientific paper in which the purpose, objectives, and object of the research, as well as its relevance, novelty, and practical significance, should be disclosed. In our article, we shared a step-by-step guide to writing the introduction of a thesis paper.
Main body – the largest section of the thesis paper, consisting of several chapters and subsections, including theoretical and analytical parts, as well as conclusions. It is worth noting that each chapter should end with brief conclusions.
General conclusions – the result of the tasks set at the beginning of the research. That is, if 5 objectives were formulated, there should be 5 corresponding conclusions.
List of references – a list of scientific literature used during the preparation of the thesis. It is necessary to follow alphabetical order: first sources in Cyrillic, then in Latin script.
Appendices – supplementary materials used in the thesis (graphs, questionnaires, illustrations). Each of them should have its own designation (for example, "Appendix A", "Appendix B").

Font and spacing

An important point in thesis formatting that definitely deserves attention is the font and spacing. The requirements for them are usually determined by the educational institution and may be based on DSTU 3008:2015. Any deviation from generally accepted standards may be considered a mistake and may call into question admission to the thesis defense.

Basic parameters for text formatting

Formatting parameter	Basic requirement	Notes and exceptions
Font	Times New Roman	May vary depending on the requirements of the higher education institution.
Font size	14	It is acceptable to slightly increase the font size for headings and, conversely, reduce it for tables.
Line spacing	1,5	May vary depending on the requirements of the higher education institution.
Orientation	Portrait	Standard for the entire text of the paper.
Alignment	Justified	Ensures even text edges on both sides.
Paragraph indent	1,25 cm	Set in the paragraph settings.
Margins	Left – 3 cm, right – 1 cm, top and bottom – 2 cm	The left margin is wider to leave space for binding.
Numbering	Continuous	All pages must be numbered, except for the title page and assignment sheets. Although they are included in the overall numbering, page numbers are not printed on them.

A thesis truly requires perseverance and attention to all criteria and established requirements of a particular educational institution. However, if you create a clear plan and understand the structure, you will significantly simplify the entire writing process.

If you encounter difficulties while writing your thesis, you can contact the company Scientific Papers. Our specialists will help prepare a high-quality scientific paper within the agreed deadlines. Leave a request on the website to receive a free consultation. Together towards successful results!