📄 Thesis Formatting & Submission Guidelines [June 2026]

These guidelines focus on the general formatting and submission requirements applicable across all Activation Labs. Additional expectations, methodologies, and structural differences may vary depending on your Lab. Please refer to your Lab-specific thesis template and guidance document for further details.

📏 Thesis Length

The required thesis length depends on your program level.

🎓 Bachelor Programs (BA, BSc)

• Target length: 30 pages
• Accepted range: 27–33 pages (±10%)

🎓 Master Programs (MSc, MBA, MA)

• Target length: 50 pages
• Accepted range: 45–55 pages (±10%)

❗ Important Notes

The page count does NOT include:

• Title Page
• Abstract
• Table of Contents
• References
• Appendices

Only the main thesis content counts toward the page limit.

Figures, tables, diagrams, and visualisations included within the main body of the thesis are considered part of the page count and should support — not replace — written analysis and critical discussion.

If your thesis falls outside the accepted range, a resubmission may be required within the Activation grace period. Any exception to the length requirements must be approved in advance by your Lab Owner or Supervisor.

📝 Thesis Structure

Your thesis should generally follow the structure below. Some Labs or methodologies may require adjustments to this structure.

Title Page

Abstract

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Context / Background
3. Methodology / Approach
4. Results & Discussion
5. Conclusion & Implications

References

Appendices (optional)

🔬 Note on Results & Discussion

In some disciplines — particularly quantitative, empirical, AI, psychology, and data-driven research — separating “Results” and “Discussion” is considered best practice and may be mandatory within your Lab.

Please refer to your Lab-specific thesis template for guidance on the expected structure.

🎨 Thesis Templates

Each Activation Lab provides its own thesis template and guidance to reflect the methodologies, outputs, and expectations most relevant to that field.

These templates may include:

• Recommended chapter structures
• Discipline-specific methodologies
• Referencing expectations
• Formatting examples
• Cover page requirements
• AI declaration guidance

👉 [Lab-specific templates will be linked here]

🔤 Formatting Requirements

General Formatting

• Font: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
• Font size: 11 or 12 pt
• Line spacing: 1.5
• Text alignment: Justified
• Page numbering: Bottom of page

Margins

Recommended margins:

• Top: 2.5 cm
• Bottom: 2.5 cm
• Left: 2.5–3 cm
• Right: 2.5 cm

Headings

Use a clear and consistent heading hierarchy:

• Heading 1 → Main chapters
• Heading 2 → Subsections
• Heading 3 → Sub-subsections

Figures & Tables

All figures, tables, diagrams, and visualisations must:

• Be clearly labelled (e.g. Figure 1, Table 1)
• Include a descriptive title
• Be referenced and explained within the text
• Support the analysis rather than replace it

Visual elements should contribute to the clarity and quality of the work while maintaining sufficient written interpretation and discussion.

📚 Citations & References

All theses must use APA referencing style unless otherwise specified by the Lab.

Minimum Source Expectations

Bachelor Thesis

• Minimum recommended: 20 peer-reviewed academic sources

Master Thesis

• Minimum recommended: 35 peer-reviewed academic sources

Students are strongly encouraged to prioritise:

• Peer-reviewed journal articles
• Academic conference papers
• Working papers
• Credible institutional and policy reports

Avoid over-reliance on informal websites, blogs, or unverified online sources.

All cited sources must appear in the reference list.

🤖 AI Use & Academic Integrity

The use of AI tools is permitted where appropriate, but learners remain fully responsible for the quality, accuracy, originality, and integrity of their work.

AI should support — not replace — critical thinking, analysis, interpretation, and academic judgement.

All learners must include an AI Declaration outlining:

• Which AI tools were used
• How they were used
• Which parts of the thesis involved AI-supported work

The AI Declaration must be included at the end of the thesis document, after the appendices.

Failure to appropriately declare AI use may be treated as an academic integrity concern.

📊 Writing Expectations

Your thesis should demonstrate:

• Clear and structured thinking
• Logical progression between sections
• Evidence-based analysis or validation
• Critical reflection and interpretation
• Methodological rigour
• Relevance to real-world challenges
• Awareness of ethical implications where relevant

Depending on your Lab, your thesis may involve research, experimentation, technical implementation, venture validation, systems thinking, organisational transformation, or behavioural analysis.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Common issues identified across Activation Labs include:

• Exceeding or falling below the required page range
• Lack of a clear research question or objective
• Descriptive work without sufficient analysis or validation
• Weak linkage between results and implications
• Inconsistent formatting or referencing
• Over-reliance on AI-generated content without critical engagement
• Presenting technical outputs without interpretation or stakeholder relevance
• Failing to address ethical implications of data, AI, or technology use
• Including large visuals without sufficient analytical discussion

✅ Final Submission Checklist

Before submitting your thesis, ensure that:

• Your thesis is within the accepted page range
• All required sections are included
• Formatting is consistent throughout
• APA referencing has been applied correctly
• References are complete and properly formatted
• Figures and tables are labelled and explained
• The AI Declaration has been included
• You are using the correct Lab-specific template

🚀 Final Note

Your thesis is more than a final academic submission. It is an opportunity to demonstrate how you apply knowledge, research, innovation, and critical thinking to meaningful real-world challenges.

Across the Activation Labs, learners are encouraged to produce work that is rigorous, reflective, and impactful — whether through research, technology, entrepreneurship, sustainability, leadership, psychology, or systems transformation.

Focus on producing work that is not only academically strong, but also relevant, responsible, and capable of contributing to positive change.