The template is based on the University of Exeter "Presentation of Thesis" template, shared by the Doctoral College in 2026. It uses the comments and formatting outlined by the University of Exeter, and sets researchers up for writing their Thesis in Overleaf.
The Word document of this is available here
On the Doctoral College webpage under "Presentation of your thesis"
% See README.tex file to clarify other directions for Thesis.
\documentclass[12pt,oneside]{report}
% 'report' is appropriate for theses (supports chapters)
% 'oneside' is typical unless printing double-sided
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- PAGE LAYOUT ---------------------------
% ============================================================
\usepackage[a4paper,
left=30mm,
right=30mm,
top=20mm,
bottom=20mm]{geometry}
% Sets margins exactly as required by university guidelines
\usepackage{setspace}
\onehalfspacing
% Sets 1.5 line spacing (acceptable per guidelines)
% Use \doublespacing if required
\usepackage{parskip}
% Adds space between paragraphs instead of indentation
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- FONT SETUP ---------------------------
% ============================================================
\usepackage{fontspec}
% Allows use of system fonts (requires XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX)
\setmainfont{Arial}
% Change to Calibri or Aptos if preferred
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- PAGE STYLE ---------------------------
% ============================================================
\usepackage{fancyhdr}
\pagestyle{fancy}
\fancyhf{}
\fancyfoot[C]{\thepage}
% Places page number in centre footer
\renewcommand{\headrulewidth}{0pt}
% Removes header line
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- SECTION FORMATTING -------------------
% ============================================================
\usepackage{titlesec}
\titleformat{\chapter}
{\normalfont\Large\bfseries}
{\thechapter.}{1em}{}
% Custom chapter formatting
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- TABLES & FIGURES ---------------------
% ============================================================
\usepackage{graphicx}
% For including images
\usepackage{caption}
\usepackage{subcaption}
% Better control over captions and subfigures
\usepackage{booktabs}
% Professional-quality tables
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS --------------------
% ============================================================
% The Table of Contents should give in sequence, with page numbers, all relevant sub-divisions of the work.
% Contents Example
% Thesis Title Page 2
% Acknowledgements 3
% Dedications 3
% Abstract 4
% Keywords 4
% Table of Contents 5
% List of Tables, Figures & Illustrations, etc 6
% List of accompanying material 7
% Definitions, Abbreviations, Glossary etc 8
% The Use of Generative AI in the preparation of this research 9
% Ethics Approval 10
% List of candidate publications included in thesis 11
% Contribution to co-authored publications 11
% Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree 12
% Introduction 13
% Main text of the thesis 14
% Appendices 15
% Bibliography or List of References 16
\usepackage{tocloft}
% Customise TOC appearance if needed
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- REFERENCES ---------------------------
% ============================================================
\usepackage{csquotes}
\usepackage[
style=apa,
backend=biber,
sortcites=true,
maxcitenames=2,
mincitenames=1,
uniquelist=false,
uniquename=false
]{biblatex}
\addbibresource{references.bib}
% Use appropriate referencing style for your discipline
% Example .bib file attached, but Overleaf Premium through Exeter SSO can sync with Zotero, Papers and Mendeley. This can be uploaded like a regular file.
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- HYPERLINKS ---------------------------
% ============================================================
\usepackage[hidelinks]{hyperref}
% Makes links clickable without coloured boxes. Use \hyperref[name of section label]{text you want to appear}
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- GLOSSARY / ACRONYMS ------------------
% ============================================================
\usepackage[acronym,style=super,nonumberlist]{glossaries}
\makeglossaries
% \usepackage[acronym,nomain,style=super,nonumberlist]{glossaries}
% \renewcommand{\glsnamefont}[1]{\textbf{#1}}
\makeglossaries
\input{1 Front Matter/abbreviations}
\input{1 Front Matter/glossary}
% For abbreviations and glossary terms.
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- DOCUMENT -----------------------------
% ============================================================
\begin{document}
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- FRONT MATTER -------------------------
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- TITLE PAGE ---------------------------
\include{1 Front Matter/titlepage}
% Start numbering from title page as page 1
\pagenumbering{arabic}
\setcounter{page}{2}
% ---------------------- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ---------------------
\include{1 Front Matter/Acknowledgements}
% ---------------------- DEDICATION ---------------------------
\include{1 Front Matter/dedications}
% ---------------------- ABSTRACT -----------------------------
\include{1 Front Matter/abstract}
% ---------------------- OPTIONAL SECTIONS --------------------
% Delete the first percentage sign to include
% \include{1 Front Matter/accompanyingmaterial} % optional
% \include{1 Front Matter/ai_statement}
% \include{1 Front Matter/ethics}
% \include{1 Front Matter/publications} % optional
% \include{1 Front Matter/contributions} % optional
% \include{1 Front Matter/statementother} % optional
% ---------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS --------------------
% Start this section on a new page. Delete any guidance text in your final thesis/dissertation.
% The Table of Contents should give in sequence, with page numbers, all relevant sub-divisions of the work.
% Any of the following not required can be cancelled out/deleted
\tableofcontents
\clearpage
\phantomsection
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{List of Figures}
\listoffigures
\clearpage
\phantomsection
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{List of Tables}
\listoftables
% This should give in sequence, with page numbers, all relevant Tables, Figures & Illustrations in the work.
% Each table, figure or illustration must be labelled and titled, and these identifiers should be included in the list.
\clearpage
\phantomsection
\glsaddall
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{List of Abbreviations}
\printglossary[type=\acronymtype,title={List of Abbreviations}]
\clearpage
\phantomsection
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{Glossary}
\printglossary[title={Glossary}]
% Start this section on a new page. Delete any guidance text in your final thesis/dissertation.
% This should reference any abbreviations used in the work and include definitions of terms specific to the work. The lists of words should be given in alphabetical order.
\newpage
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- MAIN MATTER --------------------------
% ============================================================
\include{2 Chapters/1 introduction}
% Example structure (adjust as needed)
\include{2 Chapters/2 literature_review}
\include{2 Chapters/3 methodology}
\include{2 Chapters/4 findings}
\include{2 Chapters/5 discussion}
\include{2 Chapters/6 conclusion}
% ============================================================
% ---------------------- BACK MATTER --------------------------
% ============================================================
\appendix
\clearpage
\phantomsection
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{Appendix A}
\include{3 Appendices/Appendix A}
\clearpage
\phantomsection
\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{Appendix B}
\include{3 Appendices/Appendix B}
\printbibliography
\end{document}