The thesis represents the final stage of the study programme and consists of the preparation of a written dissertation on a topic agreed upon with the academic advisor.
The structure and development of the thesis are generally defined in agreement with the academic advisor, who supervises the student throughout the various stages of the work and may provide specific guidance regarding the structure, methodology, and formatting of the dissertation. These guidelines provide general editorial recommendations aimed at ensuring clarity and consistency in thesis preparation.
For the preparation of the thesis, it is recommended to use word processing software that allows for proper management of text formatting, citations, and bibliography (e.g., Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, or equivalent software).
Students of the University of Messina may use the Microsoft 365 suite provided by the University, which includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Please refer to the dedicated section for further information.
Unless otherwise indicated by the academic advisor, students are advised to adopt a clear and consistent formatting style. The following settings are recommended:
Page format: A4
Font and line spacing
- Recommended font: Times New Roman
- Font size: 12–14 pt
- Line spacing: 1.5
Page margins
- Left margin: 4 cm
- Right margin: 2.5 cm
- Top margin: 3 cm
- Bottom margin: 3 cm
All pages of the thesis must be numbered consecutively, with page numbers placed at the bottom center.
The cover page and table of contents must not be numbered.
Chapters and sections must be clearly identified through numbered headings and subheadings. Tables, charts, and figures must be numbered progressively and accompanied by a title and source indication.
For the preparation of the thesis, students are required to use the official cover page template adopted by the Department of Economics.
The template, which includes instructions regarding the structure and the information to be provided (Degree Programme, thesis title, academic advisor, candidate, academic year, etc.), is available in the Administrative Forms section of the Department website.
Students are strongly advised to use only the official template and to complete all required fields accurately.