University of Virginia Dissertation Format
The rules University of Virginia 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 | GSAS publishes no margin rules. School of Medicine (BIMS) physical standards only: left 1.5 in, top/right/bottom 1 in, page numbers inside margins. |
|---|---|
| Front Matter Page Numbers | GSAS: not specified. School of Medicine standards: Roman numerals for pages before body text. |
| Body Page Numbers | GSAS: not specified. School of Medicine standards: all pages numbered upper right corner within 1 in top margin. |
Title Page Wording
Lines from top to bottom, as the guide shows them. Words in brackets are yours to fill in. Per GSAS 2017 template: title at top; gap; name and hometown/state; gap; previous degrees line; gap; 3-line presentation statement (degree on its own line); gap; Department line; gap; 'University of Virginia' and month/year; gap; optional committee names block at lower right. All centered except committee block (right side).
Title capitalization: as written (template shows Title Case).
Front Matter Order
- Title Page
- Copyright Page (if applicable; School of Medicine standards)
- Abstract
- Dedication (optional)
- Body
Rules Students Often Miss
- No university-wide or GSAS formatting manual; Libra says 'Your school will direct you on its process.' Formatting beyond the title page is effectively departmental.
- GSAS title page lists hometown and state and previous degrees.
- Title page date is month and year of degree conferral.
- School of Medicine standards (BIMS only): page numbers upper right; left margin 1.5 in.
- Submission is PDF (PDF/A preferred) to Libra; title in Libra must match committee-approved title.
What Style Guide Pro Does for You
- Builds the title page in University of Virginia’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 Virginia require?
GSAS publishes no margin rules. School of Medicine (BIMS) physical standards only: left 1.5 in, top/right/bottom 1 in, page numbers inside margins.
Where do page numbers go in a University of Virginia dissertation?
Front matter: GSAS: not specified. School of Medicine standards: Roman numerals for pages before body text.. Main text: GSAS: not specified. School of Medicine standards: all pages numbered upper right corner within 1 in top margin.
Can Style Guide Pro format my University of Virginia dissertation?
Yes. Choose University of Virginia 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
- GSAS Thesis Submission and Graduation (accessed 2026-10-29)
- GSAS Example Title Page (thesisTitlePageTemplate-2017.pdf) (2017)
- Libra ETDs Checklist (UVA Library) (accessed 2026-10-29)
- School of Medicine Registrar, Physical Standards for Dissertations and Theses (BIMS) (undated (uploaded 2019-06); School of Medicine only)
Summarized from University of Virginia’s official guide. Checked October 2026. Programs sometimes add their own rules, so confirm with your graduate school or program before you submit.
Note: parts of this school’s formatting are set by each college or department, so some rules above may differ for your program.