thesis cover sample

Thesis or Dissertation Cover Page: How to create it?

If you are a higher education student, you will certainly need to write one or more theses during your academic journey. The thesis or dissertation cover page is the first point of contact with your reviewer. It catches their attention and encourages them to delve deeper into your thesis .

Discover in our complete guide the steps to create a beautiful thesis or dissertation cover page . Also, explore several examples of thesis or dissertation cover pages to inspire you in creating your own!

Table of Contents What is a Thesis or Dissertation Cover Page? Why is the Thesis or Dissertation Cover Page So Important? How to Create the Cover Page for Your Thesis or Dissertation? Templates and Other Examples of Thesis or Dissertation Cover Pages 📌 FAQ

What is a Thesis or Dissertation Cover Page?

The thesis or dissertation cover page is the title page.

It is the first visual point of contact you have with your reader or reviewer.

Paying attention to the thesis or dissertation cover page is important as it helps c apture the reader's attention and generate interest. It plays a crucial role in the overall presentation of the work and gives the first impression of the thesis or dissertation.

The cover page also provides important information to the examiner: title of the thesis or dissertation, author's name, academic institution, academic year, etc.

Why is the Thesis or Dissertation Cover Page So Important?

The thesis or dissertation cover page gives a first impression , whether good or bad, to the reader. Taking care of the cover page helps to present a professional image of your thesis or dissertation.

Indeed, the thesis or dissertation cover page or title page serves as the gateway to your research . It should reflect the seriousness and quality of your work.

For your thesis or dissertation, choose a well-designed and attractive cover page to quickly engage your reader.

How to Create the Cover Page for Your Thesis or Dissertation?

Explore different sources for inspiration.

Before starting the creation of your thesis or dissertation cover page, we recommend doing some research to find inspiration and gather ideas for your title page .

To assist you in your search for inspiration, we have prepared an example of a thesis or dissertation cover page for you (example in french):

Other Examples of Thesis or Dissertation Cover Pages to Explore: Thesis Cover Page - Master in Computer Science - Software Development Engineering (SDE) Thesis Cover Page - Bachelor’s in Biological Engineering

Finding the Right Software for Creating Your Thesis or Dissertation Cover Page

There are several tools available to help you create your thesis or dissertation cover page . The most commonly used tools by students are:

• Word: A simple tool for creation with features to effectively structure and format your cover page.
• Google Docs: Similar to Word, it offers real-time collaboration and online accessibility for a basic but functional creation.
• Canva: A user-friendly tool with numerous templates and customization options, ideal for creating an attractive and professional design without advanced graphic skills.
• Adobe Photoshop: A powerful tool for advanced graphic creation, allowing for sophisticated cover page designs with unlimited design options for experienced users.

List the Key Elements to Include on Your Thesis or Dissertation Cover Page

Several elements must be included on your thesis or dissertation cover page to convey the necessary information to your reader or reviewer.  

Here is a comprehensive list of elements we recommend incorporating into your cover page:

• Institution Logo.
• Thesis Title.
• Author’s Name.
• Institution Name.
• Department or Faculty Name.
• Thesis Advisor’s Name.
• Degree Program.
• Field of Study or Program Mention (e.g., Master in Human Resource Management or Bachelor in Marketing and Communication).
• Academic Year.

Create the Perfect Thesis or Dissertation Cover Page by Following These 4 Steps

Step 1: gather essential information.

Ensure that you include all the necessary elements such as: the thesis or dissertation title, your name, the name of the academic institution, the department or faculty, the name of your thesis advisor, the academic year, the degree program, the institution's logo, and the mention of your field of study or program.  

Step 2: Structure the Layout

Organize the information in a clear and readable manner . Use distinct sections for each element, making sure that the title is prominently displayed, usually at the center of the page. Place your name and your thesis advisor’s name lower down, followed by other important information.

Step 3: Refine the Visual Presentation

Use a simple and professional font , such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Play with font sizes to create a hierarchy of information, for example, by making the title larger and bold . Ensure that the layout is clean and balanced, with appropriate margins.  

Step 4: Review and Validate

Carefully proofread the cover page to avoid any typographical or informational errors . Check that all required elements are present and correctly placed. Don't hesitate to seek feedback from your thesis advisor or peers to obtain constructive comments.

Write your student work with peace of mind

With Compilatio Studium, make sure to cite all your sources and submit quality assignments, compliant with academic requirements . This way, you can easily avoid plagiarism penalties and prove the integrity of your work .

Templates and Other Examples of Thesis or Dissertation Cover Pages

To create the cover page for your thesis or dissertation, you can use design tools such as Word or Canva to craft your own design.

You can also find inspiration from examples and templates available online . Here are a few:

• 1000 Thesis or Internship Report Cover Page Templates - Canva
• Cover Page Template for Engineering Thesis

What font size is recommended for a thesis or dissertation cover page?

It is recommended to use a font size between 18 and 20 points for the body text of the cover page. The thesis or dissertation title can be larger, around 30 to 32 points, to make it stand out.

What font should you choose for the thesis or dissertation cover page?

Fonts that offer clear and professional readability are preferred for the cover page. Common choices include sans-serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica, and serif fonts like Times New Roman or Georgia.

What are the common mistakes to avoid on a thesis or dissertation cover page?

Common mistakes to avoid include spelling and typographical errors, incomplete or incorrect information, and a cluttered layout. Avoid using decorative or hard-to-read fonts. Ensure that all required elements are present and correctly placed, and check the visual consistency of your cover page.

What is the difference between the cover, cover page, and title page of a thesis or dissertation?

The cover is the outermost visible page when the thesis or dissertation is closed, often rigid and decorative, containing the thesis title and the author’s name. It is optional. The cover page is the first internal page that presents all essential information such as the title, author’s name, and academic details. The title page is often used synonymously with the cover page.

In summary, the cover page of a thesis or dissertation is a crucial element of your final deliverable as it constitutes the first visual contact with your examiner.

It is therefore important to refine this page to make a good first impression and spark the reader's curiosity.

Remember to check for plagiarism in your thesis or dissertation to avoid penalties. We recommend using a plagiarism checker to identify poorly referenced sources and include them in your bibliography.

Discover more practical guides for your thesis: How to Write a Thesis Introduction - Compilatio How to Write Thesis or Dissertation Acknowledgements? How to Write a University Thesis step by step? - Compilatio   Other sources to consult: How to Create a Cover Page for an Internship Report? - Compilatio How to Create a Cover Page in Microsoft Word (Built-In & Custom) - Youtube video

Note: This informative article was written in part with the help of ChatGPT. The AI-generated content has been reworked to check the veracity of the information, verify the relevance of the instructions and add clarifications.

Cite this article according to APA standards

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10+ Free Cover Page Templates for Thesis and Dissertation Projects

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Tips on choosing the right template for your project

Tips for creating an effective dissertation cover page, what are a few must-haves for your thesis and dissertation cover page.

• Title of the project: It should be brief yet comprehensive and reflect the essence of your research work.
• Author/Student’s name: It is essential to mention the name of the author/student who has carried out the research work. This will help in identifying the author of the document.
• Roll number/Student number: This is an important identifier that helps the institute maintain the record of the students.
• Department/Batch/Class: This information helps the institute to categorize the research work based on the department, batch, or class.
• Institution’s name: It is important to mention the name of the institute where the research work has been conducted.
• Details of the requirements: Mentioning whether it is a thesis, final-year project, or dissertation is crucial for the reader to understand the context of the research work.
• Name of the degree: Mentioning the name of the degree (Ph.D. or M.Phil.) will help in identifying the level of the research work.
• Date of submission: It is important to mention the date of submission to establish the timeline of the research work.
• Session: Mentioning the session will help in identifying the academic session during which the research work has been carried out.
• Name of the supervisor: It is important to mention the name of the supervisor who has guided the research work.

How is the thesis cover page formatted?

Mla cover page formatting guidelines:, apa cover page formatting guidelines:.

• Title of the dissertation
• Author’s name
• Name of the university and department
• Degree information
• Date of submission

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Free Download

Dissertation/Thesis Template

The fastest (and smartest) way to craft a winning dissertation that showcases your study and earns you marks. 

Available in Google Doc, Word & PDF format 4.9 star rating, 5000 + downloads

Step-by-step instructions

Tried & tested academic format

Fill-in-the-blanks simplicity

Pro tips, tricks and resources

What’s Covered In The Template?

This dissertation template is based on the tried and trusted best-practice format for formal academic research projects. The template structure reflects the overall research process, ensuring your document has a smooth, logical flow. Here’s how it’s structured:

• The title page/cover page
• Abstract (sometimes also called the executive summary)
• Table of contents
• List of figures /list of tables
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Literature review
• Chapter 3: Methodology
• Chapter 4: Research findings /results 
• Chapter 5: Discussion /analysis of findings
• Chapter 6: Conclusion
• Reference list

Each section is explained in plain, straightforward language , followed by an overview of the key elements that you need to cover within each section. We’ve also included practical examples to help you understand exactly what’s required in each section.

Download The Template

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I agree to receive the free template and other useful resources.

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FAQs: Dissertation & Thesis Template

Faqs: dissertation template, what format is the template (doc, pdf, ppt, etc.).

The dissertation template is provided as a Google Doc. You can download it in MS Word format or make a copy to your Google Drive. You’re also welcome to convert it to whatever format works best for you, such as LaTeX or PDF.

What types of dissertations/theses can this template be used for?

The template follows the standard best-practice structure for formal academic research projects such as dissertations or theses, so it is suitable for the vast majority of degrees, particularly those within the sciences.

Some universities may have some additional requirements, but these are typically minor, with the core structure remaining the same. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to double-check your university’s requirements before you finalise your structure.

Will this work for a research paper?

A research paper follows a similar format, but there are a few differences. You can find our research paper template here .

Is this template for an undergrad, Masters or PhD-level thesis?

This template can be used for a dissertation, thesis or research project at any level of study. It may be slight overkill for an undergraduate-level study, but it certainly won’t be missing anything.

How long should my dissertation/thesis be?

This depends entirely on your university’s specific requirements, so it’s best to check with them. As a general ballpark, Masters-level projects are usually 15,000 – 20,000 words in length, while Doctoral-level projects are often in excess of 60,000 words.

What about the research proposal?

If you’re still working on your research proposal, we’ve got a template for that here .

We’ve also got loads of proposal-related guides and videos over on the Grad Coach blog .

How do I write a literature review?

We have a wealth of free resources on the Grad Coach Blog that unpack how to write a literature review from scratch. You can check out the literature review section of the blog here.

How do I create a research methodology?

We have a wealth of free resources on the Grad Coach Blog that unpack research methodology, both qualitative and quantitative. You can check out the methodology section of the blog here.

Can I share this dissertation template with my friends/colleagues?

Yes, you’re welcome to share this template. If you want to post about it on your blog or social media, all we ask is that you reference this page as your source.

Can Grad Coach help me with my dissertation/thesis?

Within the template, you’ll find plain-language explanations of each section, which should give you a fair amount of guidance. However, you’re also welcome to consider our dissertation and thesis coaching services .

Additional Resources

If you’re working on a dissertation or thesis, be sure to also check these resources out…

1-On-1 Private Coaching

The Grad Coach Resource Center

The Grad Coach YouTube Channel

The Grad Coach Podcast

Free Templates

For your green thesis, the ease of word, 1. interior layout.

We believe sustainable design and printing should become the new standard. That is why we do everything in our power to make this possible. GreenThesis offers you a free Word template for your thesis layout, when you let us design your cover. With this template, you can easily create a sleek and minimalist layout yourself without spending capital. If you still need help, we can provide it at a reasonable rate.

Indesign TEmplate

2. effortless cover .

We are happy to help you design a sustainable and/or vegan cover for your thesis. All our designs are made with the environment in mind. From a hand-painted design to a photo collage with digitally painted details, everything is possible. Feel free to contact  us to discuss the possibilities.

If you would like to make the cover file yourself, you can do so using the  free PhD thesis cover template  for Indesign. You then only have to change the spine thickness based on the number of pages in your thesis.

Save a tree, read it digitally

3. qr-postcards.

As a PhD student, you probably have a dozen or more PhD theses from former colleagues on your bookshelves that you’ve never read. As an eco-conscious company, we’d like to save all this needless paper and material. That’s why we also print QR postcards that can double as an invitation. People can simply scan the QR link and end up at your personal webpage on the GreenThesis site. Here, they will find a digital version of your thesis and all other necessary information regarding your defence. To design your QR-postcard yourself, simply use this  free QR-postcard Indesign template . Of course, if you don’t have the time or an Indesign license, we’d be happy to help you with the design.

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Trapped in dissertation revisions?

Sample dissertation cover page + how to, published by steve tippins on may 26, 2020 may 26, 2020.

Last Updated on: 6th June 2024, 02:20 am

If you’re wondering about making your dissertation cover page, chances are you’re nearing the final stretch of your doctoral journey. Congratulations!

Luckily, making your title page is one of the simplest tasks you’ll have to complete. Generally speaking, there’s a template your institution will use and you just have to fill in your information.

What Should a Dissertation Cover Page Include?

The inner artist in you might want to make your dissertation cover page beautiful: printed in color, maybe with pictures, or with an interesting font or design. However, you’re going to be limited by your university. 

Pretty much every university that I’ve come across has a template and guidelines that you must follow for your dissertation cover page. You may just be filling in things like your title, name, your university’s name, maybe your committee members’ names, and not much more. You won’t have much (if any) creative license.

The advantage of this is, by the time you get to that stage, you may be tired of writing and it will be easier to follow directions than to come up with something creative. Your dissertation cover page doesn’t need to be a work of art. It just needs to convey what the dissertation is about.

Dissertation Cover Page: The Title

The aspect of your dissertation cover page that you have the most control over is the title . It’s also the most important to get right. 

The main thing to remember is, keep the title simple . It should simply tell a person what they’re going to read in the document. Don’t try to intrigue people or be too clever, just tell them directly. Having a straightforward title helps your committee approve your dissertation more quickly.

Over 50% of doctoral candidates don’t finish their dissertations.

Your title should include relevant information that gives the reader a complete picture of what your study was about. Generally speaking, you’ll want to cover a few specific areas.

Quantitative Title Requirements

• Type of relationship between variables.
• Key variables (independent and dependent).
• Population.

Qualitative Title Requirements

• Central conceptual issue investigated.
• Qualitative tradition applied.
• Participant group.

See this article for a more in-depth discussion of choosing your dissertation’s title .

Sample Dissertation Cover Page

Your dissertation cover page should look something like this:

While each university has slightly different requirements, generally speaking, a dissertation cover page looks something like this, above. The required sections are as follows:

A Dissertation

Submitted to XXXXX University

Graduate Faculty of the School of XXXXXXXX

in Partial Fulfillment of the 

Requirements for the Degree of 

DOCTOR OF XXXXXXXXXX

City, State (of the university)

Final Thoughts

While your dissertation title page doesn’t have to be fancy, it’s important that it aligns with your university’s requirements. Take a look at their rubric and, if needed, look at completed dissertations’ title pages as well. If all else fails, ask your mentor for help.

Once you’ve finished this, pat yourself on the back. You’re almost done!

PS. Need support getting through the final stages of your dissertation, or moving into the world of your career? As a dissertation coach and career coach , I’ve helped countless students achieve their dreams. Let’s achieve yours. Book a free 30-minute consultation today.

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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