Dissertation Title Page: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Published 30 Jun 2025 · Updated 9 Oct 2026
A dissertation title page shows your title, full name, degree, department, university and submission date. Most errors come from ignoring the university template or adding extras. This guide lists ten mistakes with a fix for each, compares APA and MLA, and gives a five-minute check before you submit.
What the first page must show
Your handbook has the final say. Most UK universities ask for the same core items, in this order from top to bottom.
- Full title, and subtitle if you have one
- Your full name, as registered
- Degree, such as BSc (Hons) Psychology
- Department or school, and the university
- Month and year of submission
- Student number, supervisor or word count, only if asked
Some universities set the order and wording exactly. The University of Bristol's postgraduate code, for example, puts the title at the top, the name below it and a degree statement near the bottom, with the word count at bottom right.
Ten common mistakes: 1 to 5
These ten account for most problems. Each one takes a minute to correct.
| # | Mistake | Fix | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Different font from the main text | Match the body font unless told otherwise | Arial 12 throughout, title in bold |
| 2 | Missing required item | Tick each item against the handbook | Add the degree title or date |
| 3 | Borders, colour or clip art | Keep it plain and formal | Use a logo only if the template has one |
| 4 | Vague title | Name topic, focus and group | "Social Media" becomes "Social Media Use and Sleep Quality in First-Year Students" |
| 5 | Wrong order or mixed alignment | Follow the template and centre everything | Title first, university last |
Ten common mistakes: 6 to 10
| # | Mistake | Fix | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Extra material on the page | Move it to its own page | Acknowledgements go after the title page |
| 7 | Name or title typo | Copy the title into every place it appears | Check abstract and submission form too |
| 8 | Cramped or gappy spacing | Spread items evenly down the page | Leave clear space between each block |
| 9 | Wrong style guide | Template first, style guide second | Do not use an essay cover sheet |
| 10 | Reusing an old title page | Re-read the dissertation rules a week early | Update date, degree and word count |
Mistake 4 in detail: writing a clear title
A good title is specific and honest about the study. Name the topic, the focus and, if useful, the group, place or period. A subtitle after a colon can add the method or setting. Avoid questions and jokes unless your department accepts them.
Mistake 7 in detail: the same title everywhere
Examiners compare the title on your title page, abstract and submission form. Copy it from one master line, then paste it. Do not retype it, because small wording changes look careless.
Dissertation cover page and title page
The two terms are often mixed up. A dissertation cover page is usually the outer page of a bound copy, or a coursework cover sheet with a declaration. The title page is the first page inside. Many online submissions need only the title page. Our guide to the research paper cover page covers shorter papers.
Title page format UK
UK universities set their own templates, so there is no single national format. You will usually find rules on font, size, margins, spacing and page numbers in your handbook. Check these four points first.
- Font and size, often 11 or 12 point
- Margins, with a wider left margin for binding
- Whether the title page is numbered or counted in pages
- Whether the word count belongs on the page
See our dissertation format guide for the pages that follow.
APA title page
APA 7 gives a student title page with the title, your name, affiliation, course, instructor and due date. The title is bold and centred, three to four lines down from the top. The page is numbered 1 in the top right corner. A running head is not needed unless your instructor asks for one. Use it only when your department names APA.
MLA title page
MLA 9 does not need a separate title page unless your instructor asks for one. Instead, the first page carries your name, your instructor, the course and the date at the top left, with the title centred below. Dissertations rarely follow MLA, so use your university template if you have one.
| Style | Separate title page? | What it asks for |
|---|---|---|
| University template | Yes, usually | Title, name, degree, department, date, plus local extras |
| APA 7 (student) | Yes | Title, name, affiliation, course, instructor, due date, page 1 |
| MLA 9 | No, unless asked | Heading block on page one, then the centred title |
Sample dissertation title page layout
This invented layout runs from top to bottom. Swap in your own details and follow your handbook.
- Social Media Use and Sleep Quality among First-Year Undergraduates in England (bold, centred)
- Amira K. Hassan
- BSc (Hons) Psychology
- Department of Psychology, Northgate University
- May 2026
- Word count: 10,000 (only if required)
Anonymous marking and online submission
Many UK universities mark anonymously, so your name may need to be replaced by a student number. Read the instruction twice, because this is easy to get wrong. Then save your file as a PDF, open it and check the title page has not spilled onto a second page. Keep a copy of exactly what you uploaded.
Five-minute title page check
- Open the handbook rules and the template side by side
- Compare each line of your page with the template
- Search the document for the title and check every match is identical
- Check page numbering on the title page
- Export to PDF and view page one at full size
Want a second pair of eyes?
Our specialists can give written feedback on layout and consistency, and you submit your own work. See dissertation editing, or read how the dissertation structure fits together.
Related guides
- Dissertation format
- Dissertation structure
- How to write dissertation acknowledgements
- Thesis vs dissertation
Sources
- University of Bristol, Dissertation content and format
- APA Style, Title page setup
- Scribbr UK, Dissertation title page
- Florida State College at Jacksonville, MLA 9 formatting guide
Old claims kept for review: none found.
Frequently asked questions
What goes on a dissertation title page?
Usually the title, your full name, the degree, the department and university, and the submission date. Some add a student number, supervisor or word count.
How do you format a dissertation title page?
Follow your university template first. If none exists, use the same font as the body, centre the text and keep the page plain.
Does the title page count in the word count?
Usually not. Word counts normally cover the main text only, and often exclude references and appendices. Check your handbook, as rules vary.
Is the title page numbered?
It depends on the university. Many count it as page one but hide the number. APA 7 numbers it 1. Follow your handbook.
Should my name be on the title page?
Only if your university does not mark anonymously. If it does, use your student number and check the instructions.