University Thesis Formats in Pakistan
Pakistani universities publish their own thesis manuals, and the six below do not agree with each other. A layout that passes at one university can be sent back by another for a margin that is a quarter of an inch off. The rules come from the manuals of AIOU, UHS Lahore, the University of Karachi, UAF, the University of Sargodha and the University of Turbat. Other universities are not covered here, so your department’s latest copy always has the final word.
Position correct as of October 2026. Universities revise these manuals, so confirm the version your department uses before you print.
The Six Formats at a Glance
Two tables cover what students look up first. The first compares page layout. The second compares abstract length, referencing and hard-binding colour.
Page layout
| University | Body font | Line spacing | Left margin | Other margins | Paper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIOU | Times New Roman 12 | Double | 1.5 in | Right 1 in, top 1.25 in, bottom 1 in | A4, 90 gsm |
| UHS Lahore | Times New Roman 12 | Double | 1.5 in | 1 in | A4, 80 to 90 gsm |
| University of Karachi | Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri 12 | 1.5 | 1.5 in | Right 0.8 in | A4, over 80 gsm |
| UAF | Times New Roman or Palatino 12 | 1.5 | 1.25 in | 1 in | A4, at least 75 g |
| University of Sargodha | Times New Roman 12 | 1.5, plus 6 pt before and after paragraphs | 1.5 in | 1 in | A4, 80 g |
| University of Turbat | Times New Roman 12 | Double | 4 cm | 2 cm | A4, 80 g |
Abstract, referencing and binding
| University | Abstract | Referencing | Hard-binding colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIOU | Up to 400 words (MPhil), 500 (PhD) | APA | Maroon |
| UHS Lahore | Structured; 400 words (PhD), 250 (other degrees) | Not set in the guideline | PhD maroon, MPhil olive green, MD navy blue, MS dark grey, MDS black |
| University of Karachi | Up to 350 words | APA or Chicago | Maroon cover |
| UAF | 300 words (PhD up to 500) | Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences format | MS, MPhil, MSc (Hons), MBA blue; PhD maroon |
| University of Sargodha | Must name the linked SDGs | APA | PhD black; BS, MS, MPhil dark maroon |
| University of Turbat | 300 to 500 words, no references | Check the manual | Dark red or maroon |
AIOU Thesis Format
AIOU students work from the manual Thesis Writing: A Systematic Approach by Prof. Dr. Rehana Masrur (first edition 2003, second printing 2004). It is the oldest of the six documents here, so ask your department whether a newer version applies.
Page layout
Print on A4 white bond paper of 90 gsm, on one side only. Times New Roman is the recommended typeface. Text is 12 point, headings are 14 point, and chapter numbers and titles are 16 point bold.
The left margin is 1.5 inches, the right is 1 inch, the top is 1.25 inches and the bottom is 1 inch. The first page of each chapter may take a 1.5 inch top margin. The body is double spaced, while block quotes, footnotes, references and table titles stay single spaced.
Numbering and presentation
Preliminary pages carry lower-case Roman numerals, 25 mm from the bottom edge. The main text, however, uses Arabic numerals in the upper right corner. Also, each chapter starts on a new page. The first page of a chapter is counted, but its number is not shown.
Chapter titles are in upper case. Then, table captions sit flush left above the table, and figure captions sit below the figure. Numbers from 10 upward are written as figures, and smaller numbers are written as words.
Abstract, referencing and submission
The abstract runs up to 400 words for MPhil and 500 for PhD. References follow APA. For the cover, the specimen shows a hard-bound maroon cover, while the general instructions mention rexine or cloth with gold lettering. After the viva, an MPhil student submits two bound copies, one for the department and one for the central library. The PhD prospectus asks for five spiral-bound copies for evaluation.
However, the manual sets no similarity percentage. If plagiarism is suspected, a committee of the Dean, the Chairman and a subject expert decides.
One inconsistency matters, for example. Chapter 6 treats a quotation of more than five typed lines as a block quote, whereas Appendix G sets forty words. Ask your supervisor which rule to follow.
UHS Lahore Thesis Format
The University of Health Sciences Lahore publishes its own thesis rules. Its UHS thesis format guidelines also set the order in which the pages are assembled. UHS publishes more than one format guideline, so confirm that you have the one for your programme.
Page layout
First, the text is double spaced in Times New Roman 12. Next, chapter titles are upper case 14 bold, headings are 14 bold and sub-headings are 12 bold. Also, the left margin is 1.5 inches and the other margins are 1 inch. Finally, paper is A4, preferably 80 to 90 gsm, printed on one side.
Abstract, numbering and binding
Every copy needs a structured abstract, and the limit is 400 words for a PhD and 250 words for other degrees. Preliminary pages use Roman numerals, and the text uses Arabic numerals. The title page carries no number.
Students submit six copies. Of these, five go to the Examination Department and one is kept for the office record. Binding colour depends on the degree: maroon for PhD, olive green for MPhil, navy blue for MD, dark grey for MS and black for MDS.
University of Karachi Thesis Format
The University of Karachi publishes general guidelines for MPhil, MS and PhD theses. Three typefaces are allowed.
Page layout
Use 12 point Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri with 1.5 spacing. The left margin is 1.5 inches and the right margin is 0.8 inches. Paper is A4 and heavier than 80 gsm. The cover page font must not exceed 18 point, and the cover is maroon.
Numbering, abstract and references
Roman numerals run from the title page to the abstract. Arabic numerals then start, placed at the bottom right. The abstract is limited to 350 words. References follow APA or Chicago, and one style must run through the whole thesis.
Copies and similarity report
The first submission is four spiral or tape-bound copies plus a soft copy. Of these, two copies go to external examiners and one goes to the internal examiner, who is the supervisor. The soft copy comes with the similarity-index report from the Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC), and the report is attached at the end of the thesis. Later, after the viva and corrections, four hard-bound copies and a soft copy are submitted.
UAF Thesis Format
The University of Agriculture Faisalabad follows a formatting manual from its Directorate of Graduate Studies, approved by the Graduate Studies and Research Board. The manual carries no revision date. A separate walkthrough of that manual is in the UAF thesis format explained guide.
Page layout
Paper is white A4 of at least 75 g, printed on one side. Spacing is 1.5 throughout, except for long quotations, footnotes, table captions, figure legends and individual references. Those stay single spaced, with 1.5 spacing between references.
The binding edge takes 1.25 inches, whereas the other margins are 1 inch. Also, text is Times New Roman or Palatino 12 point, and footnotes are 10 point. Headings run 16, 14 and 12 point bold. In addition, each chapter starts on a new page.
Numbering and structure
The title page, declaration, acknowledgement and dedication carry no page number. Preliminary pages use lower-case Roman numerals, and the Table of Contents is page i. The body is numbered at the bottom centre, and the first page of Chapter 1 is page 1.
The manual allows three structures. The first is the standard chapter sequence. The second, instead, splits Results and Discussion into separate chapters. The third is a research-paper style, which needs at least two papers for MS and MPhil and at least four for PhD.
Length, references and binding
Length also matters, because the minimum is 75 pages for MS, MPhil, MSc (Hons) and MBA, and 150 pages for PhD. References follow the Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences format. The abstract is normally 300 words, and PhD theses may go up to 500.
After the viva, MS, MPhil, MSc (Hons) and MBA students submit two blue hard-bound copies with silver lettering to the Main Library. PhD students submit two maroon copies with gold lettering to the Controller of Examinations, plus a CD for HEC. Print quality matters too: text must be black, correction fluid is not accepted, and a faulty page must be reprinted.
University of Sargodha Thesis Format
The University of Sargodha covers BS, MS, MPhil and PhD in one set of guidelines. Its layout is familiar, but several requirements go beyond layout.
Page layout and numbering
Text is Times New Roman 12 with 1.5 spacing and 6 pt before and after each paragraph. Also, the left margin is 1.5 inches and the others are 1 inch. Headings run 16, 14, 12 and 12 point bold. Paper is A4, 80 g, printed on one side.
Preliminary pages use lower-case Roman numerals at the bottom centre, while the body uses Arabic numerals at the top right. References follow APA in alphabetical order, and American or British spelling is accepted as long as it is consistent.
What is different here
First, the abstract must mention the linked Sustainable Development Goals. Second, the thesis should include a discussion of national significance and of ethical considerations. The guideline also expects at least four chapters: Introduction, Literature Review, Experimental Work, and Results and Discussion.
As for binding, it is black with gold writing for a PhD, and dark maroon with gold writing for BS, MS and MPhil. A CD with both DOC and PDF files goes in at submission.
University of Turbat Thesis Format
The University of Turbat’s guidelines fix a word range, a title limit and submission deadlines.
Length and layout
The title can run to 20 words at most. A Master’s or MPhil thesis should be 25,000 to 35,000 words, and a PhD thesis should be 70,000 to 80,000 words. Paper is A4, 80 g, in Times New Roman 12.
The left margin is 4 cm, and the other margins are 2 cm. Also, the body is double spaced. Block quotes of three or more lines, references, captions and headings are single spaced. The abstract runs 300 to 500 words and carries no references. Binding is dark red or maroon with gold lettering.
Submission steps
First, a notice of intention goes in at least three months ahead. Then five soft-bound copies go in for evaluation. After the defence, two hard copies and soft copies on CD are due within 30 days if there are no amendments. The window is 60 days for minor amendments and 120 days for major ones.
In addition, every thesis goes to the QEC for a Turnitin report. The guidelines state a similarity index under 19% in line with HEC. The check is run without the initial pages, bibliography and appendices, and preferably without footnotes.
Similarity Reports Before Submission
Karachi and Turbat mention similarity checks directly. Karachi wants the QEC report attached, and Turbat states a limit under 19%. AIOU, by contrast, leaves suspected plagiarism to a committee. The national reference point is the HEC Anti-Plagiarism Policy v2.0 of August 2023.
That policy treats a 19% similarity index as an indication of possible plagiarism for all disciplines. It also says any single source at 5% or more must be checked. The index is a guide, so a supervisor or subject expert still has to read the report. The HEC Graduate Education Policy 2023 adds that references and the table of contents must be removed before the thesis goes to Turnitin, or the index rises.
For a fuller reading of the figures, see how the HEC similarity index is read. Position correct as of October 2026.
Where the Six Manuals Agree and Where They Split
The six manuals share more than they differ on, and the shared parts are easy to set up once.
- All six use A4 paper and a wider left margin to leave room for binding.
- All six accept Times New Roman at 12 point.
- Five of the six keep front pages in Roman numerals and start Arabic numbering with the main text. The Turbat guidelines we read do not describe numbering.
- Maroon appears in all six, although not always for every degree.
They split on four points. For example, line spacing is double at AIOU, UHS and Turbat, but 1.5 at Karachi, UAF and Sargodha. The left margin ranges from 1.25 inches to 4 cm. Abstract limits, in turn, run from 250 to 500 words. Referencing also varies, from APA at AIOU and Sargodha to journal-style at UAF.
How to Set Up Your Thesis Once, Correctly
Formatting is faster when the template exists before the first chapter. Reformatting a finished manuscript, by contrast, is where most errors creep in.
- Get the manual from your department or graduate office, not from a senior’s old copy.
- Build the Word template first: page size, margins, body style and heading styles.
- Insert a section break after the front pages so Roman and Arabic numbering can run separately.
- Print one test chapter and check that the binding edge leaves enough room.
- Run the similarity check without the references and the table of contents, and keep the report.
- Ask your supervisor to settle any conflict between the manual and your department’s habits.
Chapter order is a separate question from layout. The chapter-by-chapter thesis structure shows what each part holds. For margins, fonts and page order across universities in general, the thesis format guide is the broader reference. The research proposal sample format covers the stage before the thesis begins.
Other Universities
Punjab University, Quaid-i-Azam University, NUST, COMSATS, the University of Peshawar and many others issue their own manuals. They are not part of this comparison, and their rules may differ from every row above. Ask the department for the current copy, and do not assume a neighbouring university’s margins apply.
Quick Answers
Is double spacing compulsory for every thesis in Pakistan?
No, because AIOU, UHS and Turbat ask for double spacing, while Karachi, UAF and Sargodha ask for 1.5.
Which university asks for Sustainable Development Goals in the abstract?
The University of Sargodha. Its guideline says the abstract must mention the linked goals.
Can I use Calibri or Arial for the body text?
At Karachi, yes, because Times New Roman, Arial and Calibri are all allowed. However, the other five name Times New Roman, and UAF also allows Palatino.
What similarity percentage is acceptable?
HEC treats 19% as an indication of possible plagiarism, not as a pass mark. Turbat states a similarity index under 19% in its guidelines. Your supervisor and the QEC make the final call on the report.
Getting the Format Right Before Submission
Formatting a finished thesis to a university manual is one place where outside help saves real time. Support is available 24/7, every day of the year, on WhatsApp, email and live chat. Send your university’s manual with your draft through the order form, and the layout can be matched to it. PhD candidates can see the full scope on the PhD thesis help service page.
You can read what students say about the experience in the student reviews, and more guides sit in the thesis writing guides section. Work is provided for reference and learning, so use it according to your institution’s policy.