Why Formalities Matter
Most universities treat the presentation of an assignment as a reflection of the scholars professionalism. In economics and business administration, where data, models and policy arguments are central, clear and consistent formatting enhances readability, facilitates assessment, and reduces the risk of misinterpretation. Following the formalities outlined below will help you meet departmental expectations and avoid penalties that could affect your final grade.
1. Expected Structure
Assignments are typically organized into the following sections. The exact headings may vary by module, but the sequence should remain consistent.
- Cover Page Title, module code and name, student number, name, tutors name, and submission date.
- Abstract (if required) 150250 words summarising the aim, methodology, main findings and conclusions.
- Table of Contents Automated list of headings with page numbers.
- Introduction Context, research question, objectives and outline of the paper.
- Literature Review / Theoretical Background Critical synthesis of relevant research or theory.
- Methodology Description of data, models, analytical techniques, and justification of choices.
- Results / Findings Presentation of empirical or analytical outcomes, using tables and figures where appropriate.
- Discussion Interpretation of results, comparison with literature, and implications for policy or practice.
- Conclusion Summary of key points, limitations and suggestions for further research.
- References Complete list of all sources cited.
- Appendices (optional) Supplementary material such as raw data, code snippets or detailed calculations.
2. Formatting Requirements
All text must adhere to the following specifications unless the module handbook states otherwise.
| Element | Specification |
|---|---|
| Font | Times New Roman or Arial, 12pt for body; 10pt for footnotes. |
| Line spacing | 1.5 lines for body text; single spacing for tables, figures and references. |
| Margins | 2.5cm (1in) on all sides. |
| Page numbers | Bottom centre, starting from the first page of the main text (cover page not numbered). |
| Headings | Hierarchical: h1 (main title), h2 (section), h3 (subsection). Use bold, not underline. |
| Tables & figures | Numbered consecutively (Table1, Figure1). Include a concise caption above tables and below figures. |
| Equations | Centered, numbered on the right margin (e.g., (1)). Use a clear, legible font such as Cambria Math. |
3. Referencing and Bibliography
Both programmes favour the Harvard (authordate) style, though some modules may request APA, Chicago or IEEE. Check the module handbook; if no style is stipulated, use Harvard.
3.1 Intext citations
- Single author: (Smith, 2022)
- Two authors: (Brown & Lee, 2021)
- Three or more authors: (Taylor etal., 2020)
- Direct quotes: include page number (Ng, 2019, p.45)
3.2 Reference list
Entries must be alphabetised by the first authors surname and formatted as follows:
- Books: Author(s). (Year). Title. Edition (if not first). Place of publication: Publisher.
- Journal articles: Author(s). (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pages.
- Electronic sources: Author(s). (Year). Title. [Online] Available at: URL (Accessed: date).
Example:
Johnson, A. & Miller, T. (2021). Macroeconomic Policy in Emerging Markets. 2nd ed. London: Routledge.
4. Language, Style and Presentation
Assignments should be written in clear, academic English.
- Voice: Prefer the active voice, but the passive voice is acceptable in methodological descriptions.
- Tone: Objective and impartial; avoid colloquialisms and personal anecdotes unless explicitly required.
- Terminology: Use disciplinespecific terms accurately; define any specialised jargon on first use.
- Numbers: Spell out numbers from one to nine; use numerals for 10 and above, unless part of a statistical result.
- Acronyms: Write out the full term on first occurrence, followed by the abbreviation in brackets.
5. Submission Guidelines
Follow these steps to ensure a smooth submission process.
- Check the deadline and timezone of the virtual learning environment (VLE).
- Save the final document as a PDF unless the module specifies a different format.
- Rename the file using the convention
StudentNumber_ModuleCode_AssignmentTitle.pdf(e.g.,12345678_ECO101_EconomicGrowth.pdf). - Upload the file to the designated dropbox. Keep a copy of the confirmation receipt.
- Verify that the uploaded document opens correctly and that all embedded images or spreadsheets are displayed.
Late submissions will incur penalties as defined in the universitys examination regulations unless an approved extension is in place.
6. Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Both faculties treat plagiarism as a serious breach of conduct.
- Definition: Presenting anothers work, ideas or data as your own without proper acknowledgement.
- Selfplagiarism: Reusing substantial parts of your own previous submissions without citation is also prohibited.
- Detection tools: Turnitin, SafeAssign or similar services will be used; ensure originality before uploading.
- Consequences: Ranges from a reduced mark to failure of the module and possible disciplinary action.
To avoid inadvertent plagiarism, keep a detailed record of all sources, use quotation marks for verbatim text, and cite every idea that is not common knowledge.
7. Practical Tips for Success
- Start early allocate time for research, drafting, revising and formatting.
- Use the universitys citation manager (e.g., RefWorks or Zotero) to automate reference formatting.
- Proofread with a grammar checking tool, but also read aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
- When presenting tables or graphs, include a brief narrative explaining the key insight.
- Consult the module handbook for modulespecific requirements (e.g., word count, mandatory sections).
