How to Properly Format an Assignment for UK Universities

You have spent weeks researching, reading, and writing your assignment. But before you click submit on Turnitin, you need to ensure your formatting is flawless. UK universities are notoriously strict about presentation, and poor formatting can easily cost you an entire grade boundary (e.g., dropping from a 2:1 to a 2:2).

Here is a comprehensive guide to standard UK university assignment formatting.

1. The Title Page

Unless your module handbook specifies otherwise, every assignment should have a clear title page. This page should typically include:

• The assignment title
• Your student ID number (most UK universities use blind marking, so do not include your name unless explicitly asked)
• The module name and code
• The word count (excluding references and appendices)
• The date of submission

2. Font, Spacing, and Margins

Accessibility and readability are the main concerns here. Stick to the following standard guidelines:

• Font: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
• Size: 11pt or 12pt for body text.
• Line Spacing: 1.5 or double spacing is usually required to leave room for marker comments.
• Margins: Standard 2.54cm (1 inch) margins on all sides.
• Alignment: Left-aligned (justified text can be harder to read for dyslexic markers).

3. Page Numbers and Headers

Always include page numbers. The standard placement is the bottom right corner or bottom center. It is also highly recommended to include a header with your Student ID number and the Module Code on every page.

4. Referencing Styles

In the UK, the specific referencing style depends heavily on your subject. Law students almost exclusively use OSCOLA. Psychology students use APA. Humanities and business students often use Harvard. It is critical that your in-text citations and your final bibliography perfectly match the required style guide. An unformatted reference list is a guaranteed way to lose marks.