University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Dissertation Format
The rules University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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. Left 1 in (or 1.25 in if room for binding is wanted). Top 2 in on: title page, abstract, first page of dedication/acknowledgements/preface, first page of table of contents, and first page of each chapter (including introduction). Lists of tables/figures/abbreviations, appendices, endnotes and references headings centered 1 in below top. Page numbers 1/2 in from bottom edge. |
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| Font | A TrueType font from ProQuest's recommended list; body 10, 11 or 12 pt; superscripts/subscripts no more than 2 pt smaller than body. |
| Spacing | Double-spaced throughout, single column, left-justified, consistent paragraph indent. Single-spaced with one double-spaced line between items: block quotations, notes (footnotes/endnotes), captions, legends, long headings, and each reference entry. |
| Title Page Number | counted as i, number not shown |
| Front Matter Page Numbers | lowercase roman, bottom center 1/2 in from bottom edge; copyright page shows ii, abstract iii |
| Body Page Numbers | arabic starting at 1 with chapter one (or introduction), bottom center 1/2 in from bottom edge, continuing through appendices, notes, references |
| Chapter First Pages | same as body (bottom center) |
| Citation Style | No specific style; follow the style manual or journal standard used in your discipline, consistently. Reference heading chosen per style manual (e.g., REFERENCES, BIBLIOGRAPHY, WORKS CITED). |
| Copyright Page | Included in the required order (component 2). Single-spaced, centered, 2 in above bottom of page: '© [Year]' / '[Author Full Name as on title page]' / 'ALL RIGHTS RESERVED'. Numbered ii, centered 1/2 in from bottom. |
| Abstract | 350 words maximum. 150 words for thesis, 350 for dissertation. 'ABSTRACT' centered 2 in below top; one double-spaced line below, centered '[Name]: [Title]'; one single-spaced line below title '(Under the direction of [Advisor First Last])'; text double-spaced, left-aligned, indented paragraphs. Avoid symbols, foreign words, formulas, diagrams. |
| Contents Heading | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Chapter Headings | First page of each chapter starts 2 in from top; specific chapter label format not specified. |
| Bibliography Heading | Per style manual, ALL CAPS, centered 1 in below top (e.g., REFERENCES, BIBLIOGRAPHY, WORKS CITED) |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. Title centered 2 in below top; author name centered 1 in below title; submission statement centered 1 in below name (ends with a period); 'Chapel Hill' centered 1 in below statement; year one single-spaced line below 'Chapel Hill'; 'Approved by:' about two-thirds across to the right, 1 in below the year, followed by double-spaced committee names.
Title capitalization: ALL CAPS.
Front Matter Order
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Abstract
- Dedication (optional)
- Acknowledgements (optional)
- Preface (optional)
- Table of Contents
- List of Tables / Figures / Illustrations (if applicable)
- List of Abbreviations (if applicable)
- List of Symbols (if applicable)
- Chapters (Introduction if any; body)
- Appendices
- Endnotes (if used at end)
- References
Rules Students Often Miss
- 'Approved by:' committee block placed about two-thirds across to the right on title page.
- 'Chapel Hill' line on title page.
- Abstract byline 'Name: Title' plus '(Under the direction of ...)'.
- Copyright block sits 2 in above bottom of page and shows page number ii.
- Endnotes heading 'ENDNOTES' all caps centered 1 in below top; appendices 'APPENDIX 1'/'APPENDIX A' all caps centered 1 in below top, placed before references.
- Footnote separator line 1-2 inches long.
- No running headers/footers other than page numbers; page numbers may not include letters, hyphens, periods or parentheses.
- Year on title page is committee approval year.
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill require?
1 inch on all sides. Left 1 in (or 1.25 in if room for binding is wanted). Top 2 in on: title page, abstract, first page of dedication/acknowledgements/preface, first page of table of contents, and first page of each chapter (including introduction). Lists of tables/figures/abbreviations, appendices, endnotes and references headings centered 1 in below top. Page numbers 1/2 in from bottom edge.
Where do page numbers go in a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill dissertation?
Front matter: lowercase roman, bottom center 1/2 in from bottom edge; copyright page shows ii, abstract iii. Main text: arabic starting at 1 with chapter one (or introduction), bottom center 1/2 in from bottom edge, continuing through appendices, notes, references.
What citation style does University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill use?
No specific style; follow the style manual or journal standard used in your discipline, consistently. Reference heading chosen per style manual (e.g., REFERENCES, BIBLIOGRAPHY, WORKS CITED).
Can Style Guide Pro format my University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill dissertation?
Yes. Choose University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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
- Thesis and Dissertation Guide (online) (current online version, accessed 2026-10-29 (no date printed))
- Thesis and Dissertation Guide, I. Order and Components (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Thesis and Dissertation Guide, II. Formatting Guidelines (accessed 2026-10-29)
Summarized from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s official guide, which The Graduate School publishes. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.