How to Cite a YouTube Video in OSCOLA (4th Edition)

This guide explains how to format a youtube video citation in OSCOLA (4th Edition). 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 youtube video in OSCOLA (4th Edition):

Template

Creator, 'Title' (YouTube, Date) <URL> accessed Date

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

See footnote 10 (superscript in text).

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

UK Supreme Court, 'R (Miller) v The Prime Minister -- Judgment Summary' (YouTube, 24 September 2019) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example> accessed 28 March 2026

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Write the creator name
Write the channel name or the creator's real name if known.
2
Write the video title
Place the video title in single quotation marks. Do not italicise.
3
Add platform and date
In parentheses, write 'YouTube' and the upload date in Day Month Year format.
4
Include URL and accessed date
Write the URL in angle brackets, then 'accessed' followed by the date. No full stop at the end.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not placing the video title in single quotation marks.
Omitting the angle brackets around the URL.
Forgetting the accessed date.
Using the wrong date format.
Ending the citation with a full stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does OSCOLA treat YouTube videos?

OSCOLA treats YouTube videos as internet sources. Follow the general internet citation format (OSCOLA 4th edn, para 4.9): include the creator, title in single quotes, platform and date in parentheses, URL in angle brackets, and accessed date.

Should the video title be in quotation marks or italics?

In OSCOLA, short works and online content titles go in single quotation marks, not italics. This applies to YouTube video titles.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your youtube video:

Creator/Channel name
Date of upload
Title of video
Website name (YouTube)
URL

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Step-by-Step Guide

Write the creator name

Write the channel name or the creator's real name if known.

Write the video title

Place the video title in single quotation marks. Do not italicise.

Add platform and date

In parentheses, write 'YouTube' and the upload date in Day Month Year format.

Include URL and accessed date

Write the URL in angle brackets, then 'accessed' followed by the date. No full stop at the end.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does OSCOLA treat YouTube videos?

Should the video title be in quotation marks or italics?

In OSCOLA, short works and online content titles go in single quotation marks, not italics. This applies to YouTube video titles.