How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in Harvard Referencing

This guide explains how to format a thesis or dissertation citation in Harvard Referencing. Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a thesis or dissertation in Harvard Referencing:

Template

Author, A.A. (Year) Title of thesis. Type of thesis. University Name. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(Williams, 2021)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Williams, T.R. (2021) Machine learning approaches to early detection of neurodegenerative diseases. PhD thesis. Stanford University.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the author
List the author's surname and initial(s).
2
Add the year
Place the year of completion in parentheses.
3
Write the title
Italicise the full title. Use sentence case.
4
Add the thesis type and university
Write the type (e.g., 'PhD thesis', 'MA dissertation', 'MSc thesis') followed by a full stop, then the university name.
5
Include URL and access date if applicable
If accessed online, add 'Available at:' followed by the URL and '(Accessed: Day Month Year).'

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to italicise the thesis title.
Not specifying the type of thesis (e.g., PhD thesis, MA dissertation).
Omitting the university name.
Including the publisher (theses do not have a traditional publisher).
Not including 'Available at:' and an access date when the thesis was accessed online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What label do I use for the thesis type in Harvard?

Harvard uses descriptive labels such as 'PhD thesis', 'MA dissertation', 'MSc thesis', or 'MPhil thesis'. Use the label that matches the degree awarded.

Do I include the database name if I found the thesis in ProQuest?

Harvard does not have a dedicated position for the database name. Instead, provide the direct URL where the thesis can be accessed, along with the access date.

Is the thesis title italicised in Harvard?

Yes. In Harvard style, thesis titles are italicised, similar to book titles. This differs from Chicago style, which uses quotation marks for unpublished theses.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your thesis or dissertation:

Author
Year
Title
Type (doctoral dissertation or master's thesis)
University name
Database or repository (if applicable)
URL (if available online)

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Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the author

List the author's surname and initial(s).

Add the year

Place the year of completion in parentheses.

Write the title

Italicise the full title. Use sentence case.

Add the thesis type and university

Write the type (e.g., 'PhD thesis', 'MA dissertation', 'MSc thesis') followed by a full stop, then the university name.

Include URL and access date if applicable

If accessed online, add 'Available at:' followed by the URL and '(Accessed: Day Month Year).'