Appendix IV
FBA 5/2011-2012
Guidelines on the format and presentation of Ph.D. theses
proposed by the Faculty of Arts Doctoral Committee, 2012
[in line with the Faculty of Arts PhD Bye-Laws 2009, Bye-Law 12]
Maximum word limit – 100,000 words. This limit includes footnotes, but excludes bibliography,
appendices, and abstract. [Cfr. University of Malta PhD Regulations 2008, Reg. 38.] Extensions
to the word limit are not allowed and there is no option to apply for one.
General Text:
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The font style should be clear and easy to read, in both digital and print format.
Font size 12.
Font colour should be black throughout.
It is suggested that text is aligned to the left. This will avoid extra spacing between
words.
Page numbers should be centred at the bottom of the page. Roman numbers should be
used on the first few pages until just before first chapter (usually the Introduction), where
Arabic numbers should be used.
Titles:
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Use style Heading 1 for the main titles, Heading 2 for sub-titles, and Heading 3 in case
you have any other title level that you wish to include in the table of contents.
Heading 1 is usually bold and size 16 or 14.
Heading 2 can be set to size 14.
Sub-titles should be numbered.
Tables & Figures:
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If you intend to include an automatic table of figures, it is important to add captions to
your tables / figures.
Half-title
Title-page, naming the full title of the thesis, the candidate’s name, and year of
submission
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Presentation – The following order should be followed in the Prelims.
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Abstract, generally of c. 500 words
Preface – This is ‘the introductory address of the author to the reader, in which he
explains the purpose and scope’ of the thesis. It may also include
acknowledgments where appropriate.
Table of Contents, listing with page numbers the titles of all chapters and their
sub-divisions
List of illustrations/figures/maps/tables/graphs/etc.
List of Abbreviations (if necessary)
This is followed by the main text.
A general Conclusion – including the general results and indicating future implications of
the research.
Bibliography – Format to be determined by the Department.
Footnotes – Their sole purpose in doctoral theses is to provide essential supporting evidence to
the text. They should not be used either to pursue further discussions or to include irrelevant
digressions. Their format should be clear and consistent. Titles of books and names of journal are
normally italicized. Full citations should provide the following:
For Articles: author (with initials); title of article (normally within single inverted
commas); title of journal (in italics), volume, and year; pages.
For Books: author (with initials); title (in italics), place and date of publication; pages.
For Electronic Sources – The respective departmental style sheet is to be consulted.
Departments may issue different instructions regarding the format to be adopted for the
footnotes.
Spelling & Punctuation – These should be accurate and consistent. In the use of foreign words,
appropriate use of diacritics should be observed.
It is the candidate’s sole responsibility to ensure that the thesis meets the standards of proper
English or of that language in which the thesis is submitted.
Illustrations & Tables – These should each have clear captions and source.
Page
Preparation & Binding of Theses – The thesis is normally printed single-sided. To allow for
binding, it must be printed with a margin of 4 to 4.5 cm on the left-hand edge of each page. The
main text should be presented in one and a half or double spacing, with quotations and footnotes
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Appendix – Appendices should contain all the relevant data which clarify the text but which
cannot conformably be incorporated within it.
in single spacing. Copies of a doctoral thesis submitted for examination may be bound in soft
covers. One such copy is required for each member of the Examining Board (normally six),
together with one copy in digital form. [Cfr. Bye-Law 13 (1)] Three copies of a successful thesis
must be handed in to the Faculty in hard binding, and one in digital form [Cfr. PhD University
Regulations 2008, Regulation 50 (1)]. The result will not be published before the submission of
all four copies.
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Approved by the Faculty Board of Arts meeting held on 5th June 2012