How to Format Coursework According to University Guidelines

Getting the content of a coursework assignment right is only part of the job. The way you present it matters too. A well-organised document makes your argument easier to follow, helps your sources remain clear, and shows that you have paid attention to the assessment requirements.

The important thing is that there is no single formatting rule that applies to every university or every subject. Your assignment brief, module handbook and departmental instructions should come first. The Open University, for example, advises students to follow their module assessment guide and, where no specific instructions exist, suggests a clear 12-point font, 1.5 or double spacing and reasonably wide margins such as 2.5 cm.

So rather than downloading a generic essay template and assuming it will be acceptable, I would start with the instructions for the particular assignment.

Check the Assignment Brief Before Formatting Anything

Your assignment brief is the most useful place to begin. Read it carefully before opening Word and changing fonts, margins or headings.

Look for instructions about:

• Font type and size
• Line spacing
• Margins
• Page numbering
• Headings
• Word count
• Referencing style
• Cover sheets
• Student identification
• File type
• Naming conventions
• Appendices
• Tables and figures

If the brief does not answer a particular question, check the module handbook or your department's guidance.

This approach is safer than following advice found in a random essay-formatting article because universities can have noticeably different requirements. The Open University explicitly tells students to follow the formatting instructions in their module materials and contact their tutor if the requirements are unclear.

Don't Assume Every Assignment Uses the Same Rules

Even within one university, requirements can differ between subjects.

A history essay might be expected to look very different from a laboratory report. A business case study may need numbered sections and tables, while a literature essay may work better with relatively simple headings and continuous prose.

That is why I would avoid treating formatting as a universal formula.

The assessment instructions take priority over general advice.

Choose a Clear, Readable Font

If your university specifies a typeface, use it.

If it doesn't, choose something conventional and easy to read. A 12-point font is a sensible default where no specific instruction is given, and the Open University uses Arial 12-point as an example of an appropriate presentation style.

The aim isn't to make the assignment visually impressive. Academic coursework should be comfortable to read.

Avoid:

• Decorative fonts
• Very small text
• Excessive bolding
• Bright colours
• Unusual text effects
• Changing fonts between sections

Also, don't reduce the font size simply because you have exceeded the word count. Formatting should not be used to disguise an assignment that is too long.

Set the Margins and Line Spacing

Margins are easy to overlook, but they contribute to the overall readability of the document.

If your university hasn't specified them, margins around 2.5 cm are a reasonable starting point. The Open University gives 2.5 cm as an example when no particular requirement has been supplied. (Open University Help)