How to Structure a Research Paper Cover Page
Published 27 Jun 2025 · Updated 9 Oct 2026
A research paper cover page shows your title, name, institution, course, tutor and date, laid out as your citation style requires. APA uses a separate title page, MLA usually uses a heading on page one instead, and Chicago sets the title a third of the way down. This guide shows each layout.
What goes on a research paper cover page
The cover page tells the reader what the paper is about and who wrote it. Most styles ask for the same core details. Check your style guide or module handbook for the exact list.
- The title of your paper
- Your name
- Your institution, and department if asked
- The course or module code and name
- Your tutor's name
- The due date
Research paper front page: your university's own cover sheet
Some UK universities give you their own front page. It may ask for a student number, module code, word count or a declaration. If yours does, follow it. It may replace the style-guide page or sit in front of it, so ask your tutor which one to use.
How to do a title page for a research paper (APA 7)
APA student papers use a separate title page. The APA Style site lists these elements, in order:
- Title: three to four lines down, centred, in bold, with major words capitalised
- Your name, centred, one double-spaced line below the title
- Your department and institution, separated by a comma
- Course number and name, with a colon between them
- Your instructor's name
- The due date, in the date format used in your country
- The page number 1 in the top right corner
Student papers do not need a running head unless your instructor or institution asks for one.
Fonts and spacing
APA 7 allows any readable font, as long as you use the same one throughout the paper. Double-space the page. If your tutor names a font and size, follow that instead.
Subtitles
Put a subtitle on its own double-spaced line under the title. Use it when the main title needs a second line to name your focus.
MLA cover page
MLA does not need a cover page unless your instructor asks for one or the paper is a group project. Purdue OWL says to use a heading on page one instead.
The heading on page one
In the upper left, double-spaced, write your name, your instructor's name, the course and the date, each on its own line. Group projects list each contributor on a separate line.
Title and page header
Centre the title below the heading in title case. Do not underline it, italicise it or put it in quotation marks. Put your surname and the page number in the top right corner.
If you do need an MLA title page
Ask your tutor what to include, because MLA gives no fixed layout for one. Reuse the same details as the heading, and keep the same font as the rest of your paper.
Chicago title page
In Chicago style, centre the title about one-third of the way down the page. Place your name, class information and date several lines below it. For a subtitle, end the title line with a colon and put the subtitle on the next line. Double-space each line. Turabian allows some class papers to start with the title on the first page of text, so check what your tutor prefers.
Essay cover page
An essay usually follows the same rules as a research paper. If your course asks for an essay cover page, include the title, your name, the module and the date. Many universities use an anonymous front sheet with a student number instead of your name, so read your handbook first.
APA, MLA and Chicago compared
| Feature | APA 7 (student) | MLA | Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| Separate page? | Yes | No, unless asked | Usually yes |
| Title position | Centred, bold, upper half | Centred, below the heading | Centred, a third down |
| Name and details | Centred under the title | Heading, top left | Several lines below the title |
| Page number | 1, top right | Surname and number, top right | Check your tutor's rule |
Worked example: an APA cover page
This invented example shows the order of an APA student title page. Replace every line with your own details.
| Line | Example |
|---|---|
| Top right | 1 |
| Title (bold, centred) | Sleep Quality and Social Media Use in First-Year University Students |
| Author | Amira K. Hassan |
| Affiliation | Department of Psychology, Northgate University |
| Course | PSY201: Research Methods |
| Instructor | Dr Sarah Patel |
| Due date | 12 March 2026 |
How to write a clear title
Write your title last, once you know your argument. A clear title names the topic and the specific focus, such as the group, place or time period. Compare 'Social Media' with the title in the example above: the second tells the reader exactly what the paper covers.
- Use the key terms a reader would search for
- Keep it short enough to read at a glance
- Avoid jokes, abbreviations and vague openings such as 'A study of'
Common mistakes
- Using an APA title page on an MLA paper
- Leaving out the course code or tutor's name
- Using a different font from the rest of the paper
- Adding a student number the style does not ask for, or missing one your university needs
- Choosing a title that is too long or too vague
Dissertations need extra details, which we cover in our dissertation title page guide.
Checklist before you submit
- I have named the style my course uses
- Every detail asked for is on the page, in the right order
- The date matches the due date or submission date
- The font matches the rest of the paper
- My university cover sheet is attached if one is required
After the cover page
Next, format your reference list with our APA citation generator or Harvard referencing generator. If your paper has a literature review, read how to structure a literature review. For feedback on a full draft, see how it works.
Related guides
Sources
- APA Style: Student title page setup
- Purdue OWL: MLA general format
- Purdue OWL: Chicago manual of style general format
- Purdue OWL: APA changes, 7th edition
Frequently asked questions
What should a cover page include?
Usually the title, your name, institution, course, tutor and date. Your style guide or university may add or remove items.
Does MLA need a title page?
Not usually. MLA uses a heading on page one instead, unless your tutor asks for a title page or it is a group project.
Is the title bold on an APA title page?
Yes. In APA 7, the student paper title is bold and centred, with major words capitalised.
Do APA student papers need a running head?
No, not unless your instructor or institution asks for one. Student papers need only the page number in the top right corner.
Is a cover page the same as a title page?
Mostly. Title page is the APA term. Some universities also use a separate cover sheet with a declaration and student number.
Should I put a word count on the cover page?
Only if your university or tutor asks. The style guides do not require it, so check your handbook.