McGill University Thesis Formatting Requirements
Submitting your thesis at McGill requires strict compliance with the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) guidelines. A formatting error can delay your graduation: GPS reviewers check every thesis before it reaches your committee for final approval. This guide covers everything you need to know: official requirements, available templates, and common mistakes to avoid.
Official Formatting Requirements (GPS)
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Paper size | North American letter (8.5” × 11”), the usual format |
| Font | Conventional font, 12-point, 12 characters per inch |
| Line spacing | Double or 1.5 |
| Margins | Left and right margins of 1 inch |
| Abstract length | Maximum 4,000 characters (text only) |
| Copyright notice | Required: © [Your Name], [Year] |
| Submission format | PDF via myThesis portal |
Bilingual Abstracts: Required at McGill
McGill requires both an English and a French abstract in every thesis or dissertation. Key rules:
- Text only, no images, special characters, chemical formulae, or mathematical expressions
- Maximum 4,000 characters per abstract
- Both abstracts must appear in the front matter
- Order: English first, then French (or the language of the thesis first)
This is one of the most commonly missed requirements for students writing in English who don’t have a French-language support network.
Thesis Structure Options
McGill accepts two formats:
Traditional Monograph
A single, integrated document organized by topic chapters. Most common for humanities and social sciences.
Manuscript-Based (Article-Based) Thesis
Central chapters consist of published or submitted articles. Requirements:
- Connecting text must link the manuscripts in a logical progression from one chapter to the next
- A general introduction and conclusion (or discussion) are required to form an integrated whole
- Co-authored papers are acceptable with a Contribution of Authors statement
- The candidate must be the first author of all included manuscripts
- A minimum of two manuscripts is required for doctoral theses (one or more for Master’s)
A thesis cannot be a mixture of the two formats.
Available Templates
LaTeX
There is no official McGill LaTeX template. However, a well-maintained community template is available on Overleaf:
- Overleaf (PhD template): McGill PhD Thesis Template
- Alternative Overleaf template: McGill Thesis Template
Word
McGill does not provide an official Word template. Contact the GPS office directly for guidance:
- GPS Thesis Office: mcgill.ca/gps/thesis
Required Thesis Sections (front matter order)
- Title page (with copyright notice)
- Table of Contents
- Abstract (English)
- Abstract (French)
- Acknowledgements (optional)
- Contribution to Original Knowledge (required for doctoral theses)
- Contribution of Authors (required for manuscript-based theses; states the student’s and co-authors’ contributions)
- List of Figures (if applicable)
- List of Tables (if applicable)
- List of Abbreviations (if applicable)
- Introduction
- Chapters / Manuscripts
- Conclusion / Discussion
- References / Bibliography
- Appendices (if applicable)
Key GPS Policies
Copyright and AI Use
- Copyright in the thesis belongs to the student. A copyright notice must appear on the title page.
- GPS has issued guidance on AI tool use. Check the current GPS FAQ for up-to-date policies, as requirements evolve.
Language
- Theses may be written in English or French.
- Regardless of thesis language, both English and French abstracts are required.
Embargo
- Students may request a temporary embargo (typically 1 year, extendable) to delay public access during patent applications or sensitive research.
Official Resources
- GPS Thesis Guidelines: mcgill.ca/gps/thesis/thesis-guidelines
- Preparation requirements: mcgill.ca/gps/thesis/thesis-guidelines/preparation
- Manuscript-based theses: mcgill.ca/gps/thesis/thesis-guidelines/preparation/manuscript-based-article-based-theses
- General requirements: mcgill.ca/gps/thesis/thesis-guidelines/general-requirements
- Thesis FAQ: mcgill.ca/gps/thesis/thesis-guidelines/thesis-faq
- Library thesis guide: libraryguides.mcgill.ca
Most Common McGill Thesis Formatting Mistakes
- Missing French abstract: required even if the entire thesis is in English.
- Abstract exceeds 4,000 characters: GPS counts characters, not words; check this carefully.
- Special characters in abstracts: no formulas, symbols, or images allowed in either abstract.
- Missing copyright notice: must appear on the title page.
- No Contribution of Authors statement: required for manuscript-based theses with co-authored papers.
- Inconsistent font or spacing: GPS reviewers check formatting systematically.
Format Your McGill Thesis Automatically with Uniformat
Uniformat generates Word and LaTeX documents pre-formatted to McGill GPS specifications, including bilingual abstract placeholders and the required front matter structure. Upload your content, select McGill, and your document is ready in minutes.
Sources: McGill GPS Thesis Guidelines, McGill Library Thesis Guide. Last verified: June 2026.