University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Dissertation Format
The rules University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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. No special top margins for chapter pages. |
|---|---|
| Font | Body 10 to 12 pt, easily legible, consistent size and type through front matter and main text. Footnotes, references, appendix material, captions and table data may differ and be as small as 7 pt. No script or ornamental fonts. Title page font 10 or 12 pt; title is the only bold text on the title page. Template default 12 pt. |
| Spacing | Body 1.5 to double, consistent. Single spacing allowed for titles, headings, footnotes, endnotes, references, lengthy quotations, bulleted/numbered lists, captions, and appendix material. Body text must be left-aligned (full justification not accepted). Leave a blank line above each heading (recommended). |
| Title Page Number | No number shown; counted as page 1 (or page 2 if an optional copyright page precedes it). |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | NO roman numerals (since Spring 2026). Arabic numbering starts on the Abstract as 2 (or 3 if a copyright page is included) and continues through the whole document. Template places numbers bottom center. |
| Body Page Numbers | Arabic, continuing from the front matter (does not restart at 1); all body pages display numbers; template footer bottom center. |
| Chapter First Pages | Same as body (bottom center in template). |
| Citation Style | No reference style required by the Graduate College Thesis Office; departments may require a style appropriate to the program. A bibliography or list of references is required (may be at end of each chapter in some science/engineering disciplines). |
| Copyright Page | Optional. If included it is the FIRST page of the document (before the title page), unnumbered; notice centered horizontally and vertically: 'Copyright [Year of degree conferral] [Name as on title page]' (e.g. 'Copyright 2026 Jane Doe'). Abstract then becomes page 3. |
| Contents Heading | Table of Contents |
| Chapter Headings | 'Chapter [#]: [Title]' on one line (template), Heading 2 style: centered, bold, Title Case; each chapter starts on a new page. Appendices formatted like chapter titles. |
| Bibliography Heading | 'Bibliography' or 'References', formatted like chapter headings but not labelled 'Chapter'. |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. Centered: title (bold, Heading 1) near top; 'by'; name; gap; 'Dissertation'; text block (single-spaced, 4-6 lines); 'Urbana, Illinois'; gap; left-aligned 'Doctoral Committee:' with members indented and single-spaced below.
Title capitalization: Title Case (title, name, and 'Dissertation' in title case since Spring 2026; previously ALL CAPS).
Front Matter Order
- Copyright Page (optional, precedes title page)
- Title Page (required)
- Abstract (required)
- Acknowledgments and/or Dedication (optional)
- Table of Contents (required)
- List of Symbols/Abbreviations (optional)
- Main Text with figures/tables
- Bibliography or References (required)
- Appendices (optional)
Rules Students Often Miss
- NO roman numerals at all (Spring 2026+): arabic numbering starts at 2 on the Abstract and runs continuously through the document; the main text does NOT restart at 1.
- List of Figures and List of Tables are NOT ALLOWED unless the Thesis Office grants an exception.
- Optional copyright page comes BEFORE the title page.
- Abstract comes immediately after the title page, before acknowledgments and TOC.
- TOC limited to chapter and first-level headings.
- Full justification of body text not accepted (must be left-aligned).
- Title page includes 'Urbana, Illinois' line and committee list with Chair and Director of Research designations.
- Minimum font size for footnotes/captions/table data is 7 pt.
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign require?
1 inch on all sides. No special top margins for chapter pages.
Where do page numbers go in a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign dissertation?
Front matter: NO roman numerals (since Spring 2026). Arabic numbering starts on the Abstract as 2 (or 3 if a copyright page is included) and continues through the whole document. Template places numbers bottom center.. Main text: Arabic, continuing from the front matter (does not restart at 1); all body pages display numbers; template footer bottom center.
What citation style does University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign use?
No reference style required by the Graduate College Thesis Office; departments may require a style appropriate to the program. A bibliography or list of references is required (may be at end of each chapter in some science/engineering disciplines).
Can Style Guide Pro format my University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign dissertation?
Yes. Choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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
- Format Requirements (Thesis & Dissertation) (current; revised requirements effective Spring 2026 (accessed 2026-10-29))
- Thesis Updates: Digital Accessibility (Revised Formatting Requirements) (Spring 2026 changes; accessibility required Spring 2027)
- Doctoral Title Page Example (PDF) (2026)
- Thesis Doctoral Template (DOCX) (2026)
Summarized from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s official guide, which Graduate College, Thesis Office publishes. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.