How to reference a thesis or dissertation in MHRA
A thesis footnote in MHRA has 7 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: A footnote
- Checked 23 October 2026
Pip tip: with Peel, click the toolbar button on any page. I fill in most of this for you and flag what’s missing.
The 7 parts
Author, ‘Title’ (unpublished Degree thesis, University, Year) <Web address> [accessed date accessed].
, 2 · TITLE‘Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates’ (unpublished 3 · DEGREEdoctoral thesis, 4 · UNIVERSITYUniversity of Northgate, 5 · DATE2023) 6 · WEB ADDRESS<https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023> [accessed 7 · ACCESSED14 October 2026].
- 2 · TitleCapital letters for the main words (Peel adds them). In single quotation marks.On the title page.
- 3 · DegreeAs the source gives it.The degree it was for, like PhD thesis.
- 4 · UniversityAs the source gives it.The university it was written for.
- 5 · DateThe year.The year it was finished or accepted, on the title page.
- 6 · Web addressThe full web address. In angle brackets.Its page in the repository.
- 7 · AccessedThe day you looked at it, written like this: 14 October 2026. After “accessed”. All in square brackets.The day you read it.
In your bibliography
The bibliography at the end gives the same source like this, with the surname first:
, 2 · TITLE‘Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates’ (unpublished 3 · DEGREEdoctoral thesis, 4 · UNIVERSITYUniversity of Northgate, 5 · DATE2023) 6 · WEB ADDRESS<https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023> [accessed 7 · ACCESSED14 October 2026]
Two places, one source
Stress and poor sleep often go together for undergraduates.1
A footnote number, after the full stop.1 Grace Wilson, ‘Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates’ (unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Northgate, 2023) <https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023> [accessed 14 October 2026].
The footnote gives the full details, at the bottom of the page.Build your footnote
Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.
What if…
Made by an organisation
Give the organisation’s name where the author goes.
Riverside Media Bureau, ‘Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates’ (unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Northgate, 2023) <https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Amara Green and Ravi Patel, ‘Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates’ (unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Northgate, 2023) <https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “and others”.
Amara Green and others, ‘Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates’ (unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Northgate, 2023) <https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Easy to get wrong
Leaving out the date you looked at it
NOT QUITEGrace Wilson, ‘Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates’ (unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Northgate, 2023) <https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023>.
RIGHTGrace Wilson, ‘Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates’ (unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Northgate, 2023) <https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Check your university’s version
Some departments make small changes to MHRA. Your module handbook always wins.
This guide follows the MHRA Style Guide, 4th edition.
Questions
What goes in the footnote?
The first time you cite it, the footnote gives the full details: Grace Wilson, ‘Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates’ (unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Northgate, 2023) <https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023> [accessed 14 October 2026]. To point to one place in it, add that at the end: Grace Wilson, ‘Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates’ (unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Northgate, 2023), p. 81 <https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023> [accessed 14 October 2026].
Is MHRA the same at every university?
Some departments make small changes to MHRA. Your module handbook always wins.
Referencing is easier as you go
KanBananza’s step-by-step guides show how to plan an assignment and keep your sources in order while you research and write, so the reference list is ready when you are.
Let Peel do this as you read
Save a page in one click. Peel fills in the details, flags anything missing, and builds your reference list in any style, free.
These guides and Peel’s references are here to help, but they don’t replace your course’s own referencing guide: check your references against your handbook, and ask your tutor or library if you’re not sure. You’re responsible for your own work. Style names belong to their owners, who aren’t connected with Peel or KanBananza and don’t endorse them. See our terms.