thesis cover

How to design a great thesis cover (Ultimate guide)

• July 19, 2023

I could write an entire book just on book covers. It’s a deeply interesting subject with a wealth of both art and data behind it…but I won’t do that to you, because you probably don’t care.

Instead, I’m going to make this as simple as possible for you to get your dissertation cover design right.

This chapter will walk you through what you need to know about book covers, why you need a book cover designer, how to find a good one, how to work with them to ensure they create the cover you want, and how to make sure you have the right cover when the process is done.

• What You Need to Know About Thesis Covers

What to Do Before You Hire a Dissertation Cover Designer

How do you find a thesis cover designer.

• How Do You Work With Your Dissertation Cover Designer?
• How Can You Check If You Have a Good Thesis Cover Design?

There are three big principles you need to know:

1. Your book will be judged by its cover (and that’s good)

We all know the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But that’s not the reality of life, is it?

Everyone judges books by their covers. Especially your dissertation.

In fact, we almost cannot biologically stop ourselves. Humans are visual creatures. We see our way through the world, and vision is our defining sense. Humans can be immediately reached, engaged, and moved by color and shape because these images enter the brain literally at light speed. This is the power of design.

Here’s the thing:  it’s good news that people judge your book by the cover . Otherwise, they might not make any judgment at all, and no judgment means they aren’t buying or reading it.

Can you imagine walking through a bookstore that had covers with no information on it other than the title? Or browsing Amazon and looking only at book titles? That would make book-buying decisions much more difficult.

People will judge your book cover and use that judgment to evaluate whether they want to buy it. This is a chance to win a reader, and reach the exact who needs to read your book .

2. You should not design your own dissertation book cover

When you want a bottle of beer, do you brew it yourself?

When you want a new coat, do you sew it yourself?

When you need a new bar of soap, do you make it yourself?

No. You buy those things from people who are experts at making them.

Thesis covers are no different. You should not design your thesis cover yourself. You should have your book cover designed by a professional to get a professional cover.

This is for the same reason that most people don’t make homebrewed beer even though it’s not terribly complicated, and why no one wears homemade clothes, even though they’re easy to make—they’re awful when compared to the professional alternatives.

The only real difference between beer and coats, and book covers is that some people think they can design their own book covers, even if they really can’t.

For some reason I can’t understand, many authors think they are also designers. I don’t know if it’s that design software is fun to use, or that great design has a simplicity to it that belies its difficulty, but let me be very clear about something:

Unless you are a multi-year dissertation designer with 400+ titles in your portfolio, you should not be designing your own cover.

3. There are objectively good and bad book covers

Book cover design is not completely subjective. There are good and bad book covers, and a good designer can clearly tell you the difference between them.

This is because a book cover is a piece of art with a specific purpose:

Book covers exist to give visual form to written content.

A great cover makes someone in your intended audience say “I need to read that,” by  showing  them why the book matters to them in a way they can immediately grasp (or at least raising their interest enough to want to learn more). It should help your audience realize that they should be reading your book.

Another way to think about it is framed by Chip Kidd, a famous book cover designer, who said that “ a book cover is a distillation of the content, almost like what your book would look like as a haiku. ”

That being said, a good book cover is not just an expression of the idea behind a book, it’s the way the audience first engages that idea.

It’s marketing. And that is how you measure an objectively good book cover:

A good book shows what’s in the book, and makes the audience interested in reading it.

Now you understand what purpose a cover serves and why a professional book cover is important, you’re ready to find a good book cover designer and hire them, right?

Not so fast.

The main problem book designers have with authors is poor communication. The author has no idea what they want or has vague, ambiguous cover ideas, and the two never get on the same page.

You can avoid this problem by doing some work prior to finding a book cover designer. Not only will this result in a better cover, but it can also save you a lot of money.

1. Look at lots of thesis covers, both in your field and out

The first thing to do is get an idea of what other books in your field are like, and maybe get some ideas from them.

Go to your universities online library and search in the category your book falls into. Search Pinterest for artsier titles if you’d like. If you want a classic, look to Bookcoverarchive.com for the best, most avant-garde titles.

Once you spend some time looking at a lot of dissertation covers in your genre, you’ll be shocked at how repetitive they are. That’s common.

Don’t feel bad about using some of these tropes—they exist for a reason, and they will help you, actually. It is a good thing for people to be able to identify your thesis as being in the genre you want to be in.

It’s also important to look at books in lots of other fields to get ideas as well. Just because your book is about psychology doesn’t mean you have to use the same tropes as all psychology books; you can use some ideas from business or self-help books, or even novels.

Also, don’t feel bad about taking inspiration from your favorite books. Great art and design don’t magically appear in a vacuum. They have to be born of some inspiration point.

2. Narrow down to a few covers that have elements of what you want

As you look through the hundreds of covers, save a few examples of the ones you really like, or ones that have elements that you really like. The reason you’re doing this should be obvious: you need to  show  your designer what you like (not just try to describe it).

Save the links or images and send them to your designer. A picture is worth a thousand words, which is worth massive savings in your time and money. Designers see the world visually, and the best way to get a point across to them is to show them.

At Typesettr, we have an onboarding process designed to help you get the right information prepared in your cover briefing which can be discussed with your designer.

3. Pick brands or other pieces of art that capture your aesthetic

Don’t just look at covers. Pull in logos, websites, art, photos, or pretty much any image you can find that’s in some way similar to what you want on your thesis cover.

Remember that design is everywhere. Do you love the clean, light simplicity of the Apple logo? Or are your more into the zany black and green playfulness of Android?

You are essentially creating a collage (some people call this a mood board) of visual inspiration and ideas that can help your designer understand how to best get your researches’s message across to your audience.

There are many places to hire book cover designers. We’re going to break them down by price point, and as always, priciest is best. You get what you pay for. Designers who are able to charge 2k and up for the services, do so because their designs SELL.

1. Independent Designer (€150-2000+):

The highest quality option is always to hire an independent thesis cover designer. Many of the best book cover designers in the world, who work regularly with major publishing houses, are available to hire on a freelance basis.

There are a few ways to find these people. One of the best options is Reedsy, a freelance marketplace designed specifically for authors. The other option is to go to more general design sites, like Behance or Dribbble, and search for book designers there. They can be a bit slow to respond and difficult to get in touch with, but the quality there is outstanding as well.

But the best method is to look inside your favorite books, and see who designed the cover. Then google their name–more than half the time, you’ll find their design site and can contact them directly.

2. 99Designs (€300-600+):

99Designs (and similar sites like Crowdspring) can work sometimes, at least to get decent designs.

On 99Designs, you post a detailed brief with all the technical parameters and visual examples you pulled, and then their designers read this information and post their work. Dozens of designers take your brief, design a cover, and post it for your approval. You then have the option to choose the winning designer to take the cover from, or, if you don’t like any of the designs, get a full refund with no hassle.

99Designs is great as a first option to test if a great cover would be worth the money to you. That way you can see the designs, get some ideas, and hopefully find a great cover. But, if not, no harm, and you can go back to the drawing board with the other options.

We’d recommend doing the Silver contest (which costs $499). The lower end contests really repel the better designers on the site, and the higher-end ones don’t seem to garner much higher quality (and actually tend to get fewer submissions).

3. Upwork (€50-500+):

The next step up the quality ladder would be a freelance network like Upwork. The overall quality of Upwork is not high, but there are some quality designers hidden on there. Expect to take your time to find the right person on one of these sites, but you will be able to find them. Job ads typically get dozens if not hundreds of responses, and designers typically link a portfolio of past work.

Screen out anyone with more than a few negative reviews, and then focus 100% of your screening time on judging their portfolios. Do a side by side comparison of the covers you liked when you did your research on Amazon. Do they appear to be of similar quality? If you can’t tell, ask a friend who understands the basics of design.

Portfolios are the only thing that gives you a real picture of the quality of their work. If you like their past work, you’ll probably like their future work. Everything else is just marketing.

4. Fiverr ($5-50):

Fiverr is a marketplace of services available for $5 or so. There are a ton of book cover designers on Fiverr, but almost all of them are absolute garbage.

I’ve never used Fiverr for cover design, but friends have been able to find a couple of designers who are good.

What happens is that a new designer will do a great job, get a ton of 5-star reviews, and then disappear to another site where they can charge more than $5 for their work. Think of it this way. If someone has any design talent, why would they work for $5 a cover?

5. DIY ($0):

If you do this, do so at your own risk, and you will get precisely what you pay for. How Do You Work With Your Thesis Cover Designer?

Once you’ve picked a designer and negotiated price, then comes a discussion of your cover idea. Here is where all that work you did before comes into play.

1. Schedule the first call for phone or video

Schedule your first call to be phone or video. Email is very hard to effectively communicate with strangers, especially about abstract concepts like design.

2. Send them the covers and logos you liked before the call

Prior to the call, send them a cover design brief. This should include all the book covers you like, all the logos and other pictures you like, and everything else you assembled. Do this at least a day ahead of time, designers like to have time to digest images and ideas.

3. Explain your thinking

Once on the call, walk them through your thinking:

• Start with explaining who is your target reader.
• Then, explain what you like and dislike about each cover.
• Talk about what you want your cover to feel like.
• Discuss the signals you are trying to send to your audience.
• If you can, discuss the emotions you want your reader to feel when they see the cover.

The more you explain all of your thinking to the cover designer, the better they will do.

4. Ask for at least 3 mock-ups

This should be standard for good book cover designers. They will come up with an array of ideas and show you at least 3 different ones.

5. Give constructive notes on the mock-ups

Once you get the mock-ups back, if one jumps out at you, great. Give specific notes and feedback to get it where you want, and then you’re done.

If you aren’t happy with any of the covers, that’s OK too. Get back on the phone with the designer, and–while being polite–be as specific as possible about what you would like different.

This is not about getting angry or frustrated with the cover designer. They aren’t in your head, and if their mock-ups did not fit your vision, that’s OK. Just be clearer and more methodical in your description, and you’ll get there.

Remember this: your cover designer is a human who has feelings, but also a professional that wants to do a great job. You are both on the same team. You can be firm, but also polite and understanding.

How Can You Check If You Have a Good Dissertation Cover?

Once you have a cover, or you think you have one, here are the questions to ask to check if it’s working for you:

1. Does it stand out?

This is crucial. Look at it from all angles; print it out and put it across the room. Think of every possible way someone will look at it–on a screen, in a university library, etc–and make sure it stands out that way. Can you read the title? Is the image clear?

Check it as a thumbnail too. Does your cover look good when you shrink it down to a tiny thumbnail? That’s how most of your readers will see it, as a small image on Amazon.

2. Does it have a clear focus?

Establish a principal focus for the cover—nothing is more important than this one thing. Your book is about something, and the cover ought to reflect that one idea clearly. You must have one element that takes control, that commands the overwhelming majority of attention, of space, of emphasis on the cover.

Don’t fall into the trap of loading up your cover with too many elements, 3 or 4 photos, illustrations, maps, “floating” ticket stubs. This just confuses people, and confused people become repelled.

And don’t fall into the trap of believing your cover is a billboard, and every inch of space on it is real estate that needs to be filled up with the biggest possible words. The type needs to sit within the appropriate amount of emptiness in order to be readable. What is NOT on your cover is just as important as what IS on it. A quality designer will intimately know the appropriate font size for subtitles, blurbs, and author titles. Asking for them to be bigger, is merely going to drain the impact from your design.

3. Does it indicate what the thesis is and who the book is for?

Not only does your book stand out, but at a glance, your audience ought to know:

• The general genre of your book
• The general subject matter or focus, and
• Some idea of the tone or position of the book

A truly great book is one that captures the book inside in some fundamental and perhaps unforeseen way.

At the same time, don’t fall into the trap of feeling it has to show the content of the book or show an element or scene from the book (no one will know that is correct until after reading the book anyway).

4. Did you explore too many options?

Some authors spend far too much time trying to find the perfect cover. Usually, this is because it’s a way to work their anxieties about publishing out during the thesis cover design process.

It’s the major creative part of the publishing journey, and many people are nervous about what will happen when it ends. They force the hand of their designer through round after round of revisions, thinking they are bettering their cover.

In actuality, they are both running from their fears and ruining their cover design. Ask your cover designer when they believe your cover is done because they are the only impartial source for this knowledge.

5. Did you make the brave choice?

We see this happen all the time: we’ll give an author three mock-ups, and there will almost always be a non-optimal choice, a solid choice, and a great choice.

The great choice will almost always require the author to be brave in selecting it. It will have some angle or position that is novel in your field, or make a statement that is controversial, or just be different in a way that will make you just a little uncomfortable.

I’d say that only about 25% of authors pick the brave choice.

You don’t have to make the brave choice, but it’s almost always the best one (if there is a brave choice available). Be aware if this happens to you.

The solid choice is not bad, but it means your book won’t stand out or get the attention it deserves. The brave choice means it will.

If you are unsure how to define brave, here is a way to think about it:

The brave choice says what everyone is thinking, but not saying out loud. The brave cover is the one that people will remember. You’ve worked too hard on writing your book to cover it in mediocrity because some stranger on Facebook doesn’t like blue.

Be proud of your achievement. Be bold. Make your mark.

6. DO NOT POST on social media to get feedback

The best way to ensure you choose the mediocre (or even bad) cover is to poll people on social media.

Your average potential reader–when asked which cover they like–is going to channel their inner mob mentality and respond to the title that is most like what already saturates your market. They pick the most common design, because to them, common means fitting in. True, fitting in is better than looking a mess, but the cover game, first and foremost, is about BEING MEMORABLE.

Beyond that, a good book cover is not designed to appeal to everyone. It’s designed to appeal to the target audience of the book. Your 2500 Facebook friends include people you knew in high school and in-laws and that guy you met at a conference three years ago. They are not the target audience for your book.

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Ready for your thesis cover design?

After years of hard work it’s time for your thesis cover design. I’d love to help you with it! Together we’ll make a personal and beautiful design. Are you interested? Please contact me!

Your thesis design, your story

your PhD is a scientific achievement as well as a personal journey. It contains not only science, but also a big part of your spare time and life. If someone takes up your thesis, we want to make that person curious with the thesis design. Curious to open up your book and read more. But also, what I really like, is that your thesis design reflects you as a person. That can be very subtle in color choice and style or only visible to those who really know you. In this way we’ll get something unique. Every person is different, every taste is different and every subject is different. Combining these gives a new thesis design every time again.

What can I do for you?

Almost everything, except the text itself :-). Think about:

Invitations

Backgrounds of your powerpoint slides

The layout of the inside

On the basis of your thesis cover I always come up with extra ideas that add something to your design. For inspiration have a look at my lay-out page!

Unfortunately I don’t do designs for bachelor or master theses as well as designs for those who do their PhD at a university outside the Netherlands. I want to be fully updated about all the regulations regarding your cover and I want to know the printer we are cooperating with well. So I’m sure we will deliver a beautiful book. If you are working/living abroad, but your defense is still in the Netherlands of course that’s not a problem at all.

What does a thesis cover design cost?

The total cost depends on your wishes and things as the number of pages if you want us to do the layout. I’ll be happy to talk to you on the phone and hear what you wish for your thesis design. Of course, that’s for free.

No inspiration? I’ll help you!

Don’t worry if you don’t have any idea for your thesis design. You borrow my brain, which is always full of ideas. I ask you the right questions, so I know who you are and what your thesis is about. Based on that my brain starts to work and an idea will pop up that suits you and your subject. No preparation needed 🙂

Positive energy!

The design of your thesis cover is a great proces. You’ll see it will give you new energy. We’ll talk about who you are, what you want to radiate and we explore your taste. You’ll get a new, creative view on your thesis and you can picture the end result: a real book. You’ll have written a real book! There are only a few people who can say that.

Is there still space?

I want to maintain my personal way of working and high quality designs. Therefore I only have a few spaces each month. Please contact me at least four months before your defense. 

Would you like to see more of my designs?

Then as a final note: you can see I posted several designs on my website to give you an idea of what I have done before. However, this is just a small selection. If you’d like to see more please visit my Pinterest page . I try to keep the Pinterest page updated as well as possible so you can see all my designs.

How does it work?

Intake conversation for your thesis design.

During our first conversation (on the phone) I’ll ask you about the subject of your PhD and I try to get to know you a little bit. I’d like to know who you are so I can make a design that suits your subject as well as you as a person. The first conversation takes about an hour. Then I’ll ask you to send me some pictures of things that appeal to you. We’ll talk about them during our second conversation (also on the phone). The second talk is to give me an idea of your taste and will take about half an hour.

Concept phase

After our two conversations I design a concept thesis cover. The concept is just about the idea for the cover. It consists of a sketch and a color palette. As soon as you agree to the idea I will execute the design.

Design phase

I make the whole design for your thesis cover and I send it to you as a PDF file.

Correction round

We can adapt the thesis one more time. This round is meant for small changes. We can finetune the last things.

Print ready file of your thesis design

You’ll get your files as a pdf with the right print marks for the printer. This you can forward to the printer of your thesis. From the printer you will get a print proof of your thesis. It’s usually the best to ask for a paper print proof. On paper you always see different things then on a screen. At most printers, the paper print proof is included in the price.

A memory to hang on your wall

All my designs start with a handmade sketch. What happens next is usually partly or complete handwork depending on what I think will suit you best. I love handwork, since I feel it still has the most authentic feel to it. Very often my designs are therefore completely handmade. The only thing I do on the computer is to add the title. This means that there is an original painting. The painting stays with me to start with, but if you are interested it’s possible to buy it from me . In that way you have a nice memory to put on your wall. If I executed your design partly or completely on the computer, we can have it printed in a bigger size via a specialized printer .

I see you have a medical background. My thesis is about a completely different subject. Can you still help me?

Sure, I can. I’m very interested in a broad range of sciences. I really enjoy learning from all the different PhD students and subjects I work with. I’d love to help you!

I do see designs on your website that I like, but ‘my’ design is not there, is that a problem?

Because my way of working is very personal, every design is made for a specific person with their specific subject. You are unique and even more unique combined with your subject. Therefore you won’t find an already existing thesis that completely satisfies your needs. It’s simply not there yet.  In case you’d like to have a style that you don’t see on my website you can always talk to me about that. I’m open for every new idea. If I think I won’t be able to do what you want, I’ll honestly tell you. 

I love my thesis design so much, I would like to use it for my business card. Is that allowed?

The design is made only for the thesis cover. If you want to use it for something else we’ll have to make a new price deal. 

Can you also print my thesis?

I’m a designer and not a printer. You need to print your thesis at a professional printer. I’ll make sure the design is completely ready for print. I know all the big thesis printers in the Netherlands and they know me, so I can cooperate with any of them. A printer that I can very much recommend is Ridderprint . I think they deliver very good quality for a good price. They are also very communicative. A good quality print is very important for you and for me too, since your design is your and also my business card.

Thesis gallery

Please take your time to have a look at my thesis gallery. Because it’s impossible to show everything on the website, every now and then I move some designs to my Pinterest page . I try to keep that up to date as well as I can, so you can see everything.

Thesis cover

Thesis cover illustration

Thesis cover design

Did I make you curious? Let me help you!

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Designing your thesis: make a cover that suits you and your dissertation

18 December 2018 by ellen

Designing the front of your thesis is actually nothing more than making a book cover. You’ve been busy with a lot of things in recent years, but probably not with designs. This article gives you tips and ideas for the cover design of your thesis.

Some universities have different requirements for your thesis: the cover, title page and register must contain certain information. However, this does not apply to most universities and companies and you can at least decide for yourself how the design of your book will look like. Usually only the title, subtitle and name of the author are visible on the cover. You can also choose to write a short introduction on the back and possibly incorporate logos of your university or company into the design.

Cover thesis design

The cover design is the first thing people see. The cover of your dissertation implicitly tells the reader what the book is about, without directly naming the subject. The front of your thesis sets the tone for reading. Many PhD’s often have a photo or other image in their head that fits well with their PhD topic. You can choose to place a photo or an abstract image on the cover of your thesis.

Cover design with Stock Photo

A stock photo is a photograph that a photographer sells through a stock agency. The photo is not exclusive and can be downloaded or purchased by different people. You can use a stock photo under certain conditions. With a thesis you can often assume that you can use all stock photos, this changes when you want to use the photo commercially. Always check the conditions before you use an image.

Below we share some stock photo websites

Shutterstock – Has a huge range of stock photos. To use stock photos you need a (paid) account. Pixabay (free) – Offers many high-quality images. Yet this website is more focused on business and marketing. Tip: pixabay offers free vectors and illustrations. Unsplash (free) – Beautiful pictures with high resolutions. Unsplash does not have that much choice yet, but it is worth it. Thousands of photos are added every day. Pexels (free) – Offers a wide range of photos. A must for artistic or abstract images.

Cover design with your own photo

Choose a beautiful photo in a high resolution as a base. It is usually nice if you can find a visual metaphor for your research. Consider, for example, a photograph of high-voltage cables if you are doing a thesis on the functioning of nerves.Maybe you already have such a picture. If not, you can take a picture yourself. If you are not a good photographer or simply do not have the right equipment, you can ask a photographer.

Cover design with an abstract photo

If you do not find a suitable photo, you can also opt for something abstract. Scientific research often has an abstract character, so it is not strange to give the cover of your thesis an abstract form. You can gain inspiration from the most important graphs or figures in your work. By zooming in or zooming out, you can make an interesting cut that does not fit on the cover of your dissertation.

Specifications of the image An important aspect is the quality of the image. This is expressed in resolution. If you use a low-resolution image, you will eventually see this in the form of pixels, you do not want this. The image must be at least 300 dpi. Do not forget that the cover of your thesis is twice as large as the front.

Designing your thesis cover yourself

Are you familiar with design tools like Photoshop or Illustrator? Then you can make the cover yourself. Are these tools difficult for you? Then you can always ask a friend, relative or acquaintance if he or she wants to make your cover design. Keep in mind that a good design falls or stands in a good briefing. So describe well what you want and upload images that you have already selected for inspiration.

Cover design by Gildeprint

Can you use some help? We can help you with the preparation of your cover. Maybe you have a clear vision of how your cover should look like. Maybe you are still searching or need inspiration. We are ready and happy to help you. Together we will make an inventory of your wishes and make a cover that suits you and your thesis. Do you want to know more about the possibilities? Please contact us or request a quote directly here !

More inspiration?

Click here to see our online flipping books. Here you can see a number of theses printed by us.

Online webinar: PhD printing

March 28, 2024, 12:00 till 13:00h.

Want to know everything about printing your thesis?

Sign up for the online webinar in which we will take you through the entire process.

Registration is free and there is plenty room to ask questions!

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• Dissertation

Dissertation title page

Published on 30 May 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 18 October 2022.

The title page (or cover page) of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper should contain all the key information about your document. It usually includes:

• Dissertation or thesis title
• The type of document (e.g., dissertation, research paper )
• The department and institution
• The degree program (e.g., Master of Arts)
• The date of submission

It sometimes also includes your student number, your supervisor’s name, and your university’s logo.

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Table of contents

Title page format, title page templates, title page example, frequently asked questions about title pages.

Your department will usually tell you exactly what should be included on your title page and how it should be formatted. Be sure to check whether there are specific guidelines for margins, spacing, and font size.

Title pages for APA and MLA Style

The format of your title page can also depend on the citation style you’re using. There may be guidelines in regards to alignment, page numbering, and mandatory elements.

• MLA guidelines for formatting the title page
• APA guidelines for formatting the title page

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We’ve created a few templates to help you design the title page for your thesis, dissertation, or research paper. You can download them in the format of your choice by clicking on the corresponding button.

Research paper Google doc

Dissertation Google doc

Thesis Google doc

A typical example of a thesis title page looks like this:

The title page of your thesis or dissertation should include your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date.

The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.

Usually, no title page is needed in an MLA paper . A header is generally included at the top of the first page instead. The exceptions are when:

• Your instructor requires one, or
• Your paper is a group project

In those cases, you should use a title page instead of a header, listing the same information but on a separate page.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

McCombes, S. (2022, October 18). Dissertation title page. Scribbr. Retrieved 2 April 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/title-page/

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What’s Included: The Dissertation Template

If you’re preparing to write your dissertation, thesis or research project, our free dissertation template is the perfect starting point. In the template, we cover every section step by step, with clear, straightforward explanations and examples .

The template’s structure is based on the tried and trusted best-practice format for formal academic research projects such as dissertations and theses. The template structure reflects the overall research process, ensuring your dissertation or thesis will have a smooth, logical flow from chapter to chapter.

The dissertation template covers the following core sections:

• The title page/cover page
• Abstract (sometimes also called the executive summary)
• Table of contents
• List of figures /list of tables
• Chapter 1: Introduction  (also available: in-depth introduction template )
• Chapter 2: Literature review  (also available: in-depth LR template )
• Chapter 3: Methodology (also available: in-depth methodology template )
• Chapter 4: Research findings /results (also available: results template )
• Chapter 5: Discussion /analysis of findings (also available: discussion template )
• Chapter 6: Conclusion (also available: in-depth conclusion template )
• 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.

The cleanly-formatted Google Doc can be downloaded as a fully editable MS Word Document (DOCX format), so you can use it as-is or convert it to LaTeX.

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 .

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

Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 05:43 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.

Making a Dissertation Cover Page Is Simple (Keep it That Way)

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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Dissertation Title Page – Guide And Examples

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The dissertation title page serves as the first impression of your academic paper. It is a standalone page that contains essential information such as the title of the dissertation , the author’s name, the institutional affiliation, and the date of submission. Readers should get an overview of the constituents of your paper, and it should be formatted according to the appropriate academic writing style of the respective academic institution. Learn more in this article.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Dissertation Title Page — In a Nutshell
• 2 Definition: Dissertation title page
• 3 Dissertation title page formatting
• 4 Dissertation title page example

Dissertation Title Page — In a Nutshell

• The dissertation title page is the introductory page to your readers, which entails details of the project.
• Researchers should ensure the title featured on the dissertation title page captures the readers’ attention.
• The dissertation title page generally includes the author’s name, course information, and institutional affiliation.
• The dissertation title page makes up one of the most crucial parts of the preliminaries of a research proposal.
• It should be formatted according to the guidelines of the dominant writing style adopted by a researcher.

Definition: Dissertation title page

The dissertation title page refers to the introductory page of a research document. Here the researcher mentions key details about the research project.

These include:

• The names of the authors
• The title of the research project
• The name of the instructor
• Among other details

The dissertation title page can be formatted in several ways depending on the instructions provided and the level of research, i.e. student or professional reports.

Dissertation title page formatting

Formatting the dissertation title page often depends on specific instructions from your department or professor. While they may vary from one department to another, there is a base format that includes similar details.

You can format the dissertation title page in various ways according to the primary academic writing styles , as follows:

MLA title page

The MLA style is commonly used in:

• Literary studies
• Media studies

There are some guidelines for writing the dissertation title page if you have specific directions for using MLA style in your research project.

Note: A title page is not required in MLA style; however, in cases where your department implicitly requires you to include it or when presenting a group project, ensure you have a dissertation title page.

After a few blank lines:

• Mention the paper’s title in the title case centered midway through the page.
• Use double-spacing and keep the font consistent throughout the document.

However, most MLA papers use a header instead of a dissertation title page.

The header is written on the same page as the introductory paragraphs rather than on its own page, like the dissertation title page.

The header is:

• Left-aligned
• Includes your name, the instructor’s name, the course
• Submission date

APA title page

The APA style version of the dissertation title page includes the following details:

Chicago title page

The dissertation title page in Chicago style is not mandatory, unless otherwise stated in the project requirements.

The text on the dissertation title page should use:

• Double-spacing
• Center-aligned
• Same font as the research body

The title should be capitalized and should appear just above the mid-section of the page. After the title, indicate:

• Student number
• Course code

Dissertation title page example

How do you properly format your dissertation title page?

The appropriate method of formatting the title page depends on the academic style to be used to present the argument and the evidence to support the claims by the researcher.

However, the title should be capitalized, and the same font should be used on the title page and the rest of the research paper.

Do you need a dissertation title page for your research project?

Including a title page in your thesis or dissertation may be optional.

However, this is subject to the instructions given to the researcher or student; if required, use the guidelines stipulated in the academic style handbooks.

Is there any difference between a title page and a cover page?

The title page:

• Appears at the beginning of your work
• the names of the people involved
• the institution that oversaw the work

A cover page, where included, comes after the title page, and the researcher can use it to give a brief description of the project.

What should be included in a dissertation title page?

This information should appear on the title page:

• Names of the author
• The name of the institution

These details are formatted according to the rules of academic writing that define spacing, fonts, and other elements.

When can I include an image on a dissertation title page?

Some title pages may feature an image on the title page. This is provided for in the guidelines of image citation as a source used in research.

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Thesis title page template

Each thesis should begin with a title page that provides the title of the document, the type of thesis (i.e., service learning or empirical), the affiliation, author’s name, location, and date. Along with the inclusion of these components, language is included that indicates that the document is in partial fulfillment for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Here is a template:

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While Sandel argues that pursuing perfection through genetic engineering would decrease our sense of humility, he claims that the sense of solidarity we would lose is also important.

This thesis summarizes several points in Sandel’s argument, but it does not make a claim about how we should understand his argument. A reader who read Sandel’s argument would not also need to read an essay based on this descriptive thesis.  

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence) 

Michael Sandel’s arguments about genetic engineering do not take into consideration all the relevant issues.

This is an arguable claim because it would be possible to argue against it by saying that Michael Sandel’s arguments do take all of the relevant issues into consideration. But the claim is too broad. Because the thesis does not specify which “issues” it is focused on—or why it matters if they are considered—readers won’t know what the rest of the essay will argue, and the writer won’t know what to focus on. If there is a particular issue that Sandel does not address, then a more specific version of the thesis would include that issue—hand an explanation of why it is important.  

Arguable thesis with analytical claim 

While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake” (54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well” (51) is less convincing.

This is an arguable analytical claim. To argue for this claim, the essay writer will need to show how evidence from the article itself points to this interpretation. It’s also a reasonable scope for a thesis because it can be supported with evidence available in the text and is neither too broad nor too narrow.  

Arguable thesis with normative claim 

Given Sandel’s argument against genetic enhancement, we should not allow parents to decide on using Human Growth Hormone for their children.

This thesis tells us what we should do about a particular issue discussed in Sandel’s article, but it does not tell us how we should understand Sandel’s argument.  

Questions to ask about your thesis 

• Is the thesis truly arguable? Does it speak to a genuine dilemma in the source, or would most readers automatically agree with it?  
• Is the thesis too obvious? Again, would most or all readers agree with it without needing to see your argument?  
• Is the thesis complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of argument?  
• Is the thesis supportable with evidence from the text rather than with generalizations or outside research?  
• Would anyone want to read a paper in which this thesis was developed? That is, can you explain what this paper is adding to our understanding of a problem, question, or topic?
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• Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Published on June 7, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on November 21, 2023.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process . It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding the specifics of your dissertation topic and showcasing its relevance to your field.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:

• Your anticipated title
• Your abstract
• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review, research methods, avenues for future research, etc.)

In the final product, you can also provide a chapter outline for your readers. This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organizational structure of your thesis or dissertation. This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline.

Table of contents

How to outline your thesis or dissertation, dissertation and thesis outline templates, chapter outline example, sample sentences for your chapter outline, sample verbs for variation in your chapter outline, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis and dissertation outlines.

While there are some inter-institutional differences, many outlines proceed in a fairly similar fashion.

• Working Title
• “Elevator pitch” of your work (often written last).
• Introduce your area of study, sharing details about your research question, problem statement , and hypotheses . Situate your research within an existing paradigm or conceptual or theoretical framework .
• Subdivide as you see fit into main topics and sub-topics.
• Describe your research methods (e.g., your scope , population , and data collection ).
• Present your research findings and share about your data analysis methods.
• Answer the research question in a concise way.
• Interpret your findings, discuss potential limitations of your own research and speculate about future implications or related opportunities.

For a more detailed overview of chapters and other elements, be sure to check out our article on the structure of a dissertation or download our template .

To help you get started, we’ve created a full thesis or dissertation template in Word or Google Docs format. It’s easy adapt it to your own requirements.

 Download Word template    Download Google Docs template

It can be easy to fall into a pattern of overusing the same words or sentence constructions, which can make your work monotonous and repetitive for your readers. Consider utilizing some of the alternative constructions presented below.

Example 1: Passive construction

The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise.

Example 2: IS-AV construction

You can also present your information using the “IS-AV” (inanimate subject with an active verb ) construction.

A chapter is an inanimate object, so it is not capable of taking an action itself (e.g., presenting or discussing). However, the meaning of the sentence is still easily understandable, so the IS-AV construction can be a good way to add variety to your text.

Example 3: The “I” construction

Another option is to use the “I” construction, which is often recommended by style manuals (e.g., APA Style and Chicago style ). However, depending on your field of study, this construction is not always considered professional or academic. Ask your supervisor if you’re not sure.

Example 4: Mix-and-match

To truly make the most of these options, consider mixing and matching the passive voice , IS-AV construction , and “I” construction .This can help the flow of your argument and improve the readability of your text.

As you draft the chapter outline, you may also find yourself frequently repeating the same words, such as “discuss,” “present,” “prove,” or “show.” Consider branching out to add richness and nuance to your writing. Here are some examples of synonyms you can use.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)

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When your thesis research is almost finished and you're ready to defend, it is time for your thesis cover design. We would love to help you with it! Together we'll make a perfect and professional design. Are you interested? Please contact us!

Take the best path forward

No more boring templates or text-only covers that look like they were created by a teenager. A high-quality cover design for your PhD thesis has huge benefits:

• Celebrate your PhD milestone with a beautiful thesis cover
• Publish a dissertation to be proud of
• Radiate authority and professionalism
• Amaze your supervisors, your committee and your next employer with a professional-looking book
• A bookstore-worthy look for your academic work
• Bring your research to life with our illustrations
• Make people curious and get a larger audience for your PhD thesis
• Establish yourself as an expert in your field
• A stunning dissertation is a wonderful gift for your family and friends

Your research deserves to be read. Be the 1 percent that stands out!

Our rave reviews

The result is beautiful! Daniel, Enschede

Professional looking dissertation cover from Thesiscovers.com. It looks like something you could buy in a bookstore! Tim, Eindhoven

Thank you so much for looking after the cover design so quickly! Emil, Basel

Your design explained my research well! Normally it's too abstract for people to understand but your design made it more tangible to non-experts. Michael, Lyon

The printed version looked excellent. Mahmud, Nijmegen

The colors really fit my personality, thank you so much! Evi, Amsterdam

Awesome that Thesiscovers.com could incorporate our in-joke in the design. My family loved it. Niels, Delft

Our award-winning graphic designers create thesis covers, so you can focus on preparing your PhD defense

Your PhD dissertation deserves to be admired!

Showcase your academic work.

Your PhD is a scientific achievement as well as a professional milestone. It contains not only science, but also your expertise, perseverance and creativity. The thesis cover design should make everyone interested in picking up and reading your thesis. They should be curious to open up your book and read more.

But since a PhD thesis is also a very personal achievement, your thesis design should also reflect you as a person. Illustrations, colour and style should remind other people of you! In this way we'll get something unique. Every person is different, every taste is different and every subject is different. Combining these leads to a unique thesis design every time.

Lack of inspiration? We'll help you!

Don't worry if you're still looking for ideas for thesis design. You can use our gallery to get some inspiration, or you can go online on websites such as Pinterest, Instagram or Google to find more ideas. During the thesis design process we will ask you to tell us more about your research, so we know who you are and what your thesis is about. Remember that you are the expert on this subject already! No special preparation needed.

What can we do for you?

Take a look at our examples!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you design a thesis cover for me.

Yes! We design for PhD students, bachelor and master theses. We collaborate with students from all over the world, making high-quality designs so you can have a beautiful book at the end of your doctoral journey.

What does a thesis cover design cost?

We provide two thesis cover design packages. Our Regular cover design package costs 549 EUR. We also offer a Premium package for 1429 EUR, in case you want something really special or extra guidance during the process. All of our listed prices are excluding VAT.

How far in advance should I contact you?

Be sure to contact us at least 3 months before you want to send your book to the printer. This way you can have an enjoyable and stress-free thesis cover design experience!

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We care about the environment! We plant a tree for every design that we finish.

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ThesisCovers.com proudly embraces diversity and inclusivity.

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Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

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This resource provides tips for creating a thesis statement and examples of different types of thesis statements.

Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

• An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
• An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
• An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

The paper that follows should:

• Explain the analysis of the college admission process
• Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

• Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

• Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

Theses@MIT: specifications and copyright issues

This session will cover the required specifications for submitting your thesis, and review some common copyright questions related to theses, including whether you need permission to use certain figures in your thesis, and what is involved when you want to publish parts of your thesis before or after the thesis is submitted.

Offered by Mikki Simon MacDonald from the Institute Archives, who oversees thesis processing, and Ellen Finnie, from the MIT Libraries’ Office of Scholarly Publishing, Copyright, & Licensing, who handles copyright and publishing questions for the MIT community.

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