Massachusetts Institute of Technology Dissertation Format
The rules Massachusetts Institute of Technology sets for thesis or dissertation, summarized from the official guide, plus a formatter that applies them to your Word file for you.
Try It Free on Your Paper →The Rules at a Glance
| Margins | 1 inch on all sides. Current Specifications state no margin requirement. Values above are from the official MIT Libraries Word template body section (1 in all sides); the template's title page section uses top 0.75, right 0.5, bottom 0.75, left 0.75. Notes must stay within 'the specified margins'. |
|---|---|
| Font | No requirement; 'it is suggested that you use a sans serif font, as those tend to be more easily readable.' |
| Spacing | Text may be single-, double-, or one-and-a-half-spaced. Abstract, biography, notes, bibliography, and acknowledgment should be single-spaced. Footnotes single-spaced. |
| Title Page Number | Counted as page 1 (number need not be printed) |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | Arabic, continuing one consecutive sequence from the title page (no roman numerals) |
| Body Page Numbers | Arabic, same consecutive sequence through text and appendices; Word template places numbers bottom center (position not specified in Specifications) |
| Chapter First Pages | Same as body |
| Citation Style | 'The style of quotations, footnotes, and bibliographic references may be prescribed by your department. If your department does not prescribe a style or specify a style manual, choose one and be consistent.' Notes should conform to the style appropriate to the discipline. |
| Copyright Page | No separate copyright page, copyright notice ('© [year] [name]. All rights reserved.' or CC license) plus mandatory MIT license legend must appear on the title page. |
| Abstract | 500 words maximum. 'Generally no more than 500 words single-spaced.' Page repeats title, 'by', author, and 'Submitted to the [Department] on [date] in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of [degree]' (centered), then 'ABSTRACT' heading, summary, then 'Thesis supervisor: [name]' and 'Title: [title]' (left-aligned). |
| Contents Heading | Not mandated (Word template uses 'Contents') |
| Chapter Headings | Not mandated (Word template uses 'Chapter [Number]: [Chapter Name]') |
| Bibliography Heading | Not mandated (Word template uses 'Bibliography') |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. Title; by + author; previous degrees; submission statement through MIT name and date (centered); copyright notice and license legend (centered); then left-aligned Authored by / Certified by / Accepted by blocks. All on a single page.
Title capitalization: as written (title); degree and MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY and month/year in caps per sample.
Front Matter Order
- Title Page (page 1)
- Abstract (immediately follows title page)
- Acknowledgments (optional)
- Biographical Note (optional)
- Table of Contents (strongly recommended)
- List of Figures (required if figures)
- List of Tables (required if tables)
- List of Supplemental Material (required if supplemental files)
Rules Students Often Miss
- Entire thesis paginated in ONE consecutive arabic sequence starting with the title page as page 1, no roman-numeral front matter
- Copyright notice plus required MIT nonexclusive license legend go on the title page; no separate copyright page
- Title page includes Authored by / Certified by / Accepted by blocks (left-aligned) and previous degrees
- Degree date limited to May/June, September, or February
- Abstract page repeats title-page header info and ends with supervisor name and title
- Spacing flexible (single, 1.5, or double); abstract/notes/bibliography/acknowledgments single-spaced
- Sans-serif font suggested
- Submitted as PDF/A-1 with specified file naming scheme
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s wording, order, and spacing.
- Sets the margins and puts page numbers where the guide asks, with roman numerals in the front matter when required.
- Builds the contents page with dot leaders and the real page numbers filled in.
- Styles every heading level, block quotation, footnote, and bibliography entry.
- Gives you a short list of what only you can fix, like signature pages.
- Formatting software only. It never writes or rewrites a word of your paper.
Format Your Dissertation in About a Minute
Pick your school, drop in your Word file or PDF, and see your own title page done to these rules before you pay. Your paper never leaves your computer.
Common Questions
What margins does Massachusetts Institute of Technology require?
1 inch on all sides. Current Specifications state no margin requirement. Values above are from the official MIT Libraries Word template body section (1 in all sides); the template's title page section uses top 0.75, right 0.5, bottom 0.75, left 0.75. Notes must stay within 'the specified margins'.
Where do page numbers go in a Massachusetts Institute of Technology dissertation?
Front matter: Arabic, continuing one consecutive sequence from the title page (no roman numerals). Main text: Arabic, same consecutive sequence through text and appendices; Word template places numbers bottom center (position not specified in Specifications).
What citation style does Massachusetts Institute of Technology use?
'The style of quotations, footnotes, and bibliographic references may be prescribed by your department. If your department does not prescribe a style or specify a style manual, choose one and be consistent.' Notes should conform to the style appropriate to the discipline.
Can Style Guide Pro format my Massachusetts Institute of Technology dissertation?
Yes. Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology when you upload your Word file or PDF. Style Guide Pro rebuilds it with the title page, margins, page numbers, contents, headings, footnotes, and bibliography laid out the way the guide asks, then lists anything only you can fix. You can preview your own title page free before you pay.
Sources
- MIT Specifications for Thesis Preparation (Approved Nov 2022; updated Mar 2023, Sep 2023, Nov 2024, Apr 2026)
- Sample title page: PhD with CC license (PDF) (2023-03)
- MIT Thesis FAQ / Word .docx Thesis Template and Guide (MIT Libraries LibGuide) (last updated 2026-04-14)
Summarized from Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s official guide. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.