Egerton University Thesis Guidelines: Graduate Student's Handbook
Navigating the thesis writing process at Egerton University requires a thorough understanding of the Graduate School’s guidelines. Whether you are pursuing a Master’s degree or a Doctor of Philosophy, adhering to the university’s formatting and structural requirements is essential for successful submission and examination. The university has established comprehensive standards to ensure quality, consistency, and academic integrity across all postgraduate theses .
Recent workshops organized by the Faculty of Science in collaboration with the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies have emphasized the importance of well-structured proposals and theses that follow institutional guidelines. These sessions highlighted the need for students to account for every month of research to ensure timely completion of their Master’s and PhD studies .
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the formatting requirements, chapter structure, or referencing guidelines, Proposal Writers Kenya is here to help. Our team of expert academic writers understands Egerton University’s specific requirements and can help you craft a thesis that meets all Graduate School standards. Visit [proposalwriterskenya.co.ke] for professional assistance with your thesis writing.
General Thesis Layout and Format
The official Egerton University Graduate School guidelines specify precise formatting requirements :
Language: English (UK spelling)
Font: Times New Roman, size 12 throughout (including tables and figures)
Line Spacing: 1.5 throughout
Margins: 1.00″ (2.54 cm) on all sides (right, left, top, and bottom)
Pagination: Bottom centred
Paragraph Indentation: First line of new paragraph indented 5 spaces
Chapter Headings: Bold capitals (uppercase), centred
Sub-section Headings: Bold sentence case
New Pages: All chapters must begin on a new page
Legends/Titles: Tables – top; Figures – bottom
Minimum Word Count: 20,000 words for Master’s theses; 50,000 words for PhD theses
Important: Partially filled textual pages are acceptable only if followed by non-textual pages such as tables and illustrations. Section headings near the bottom of a page must be followed by at least one complete line of text or forced to the top of the next page.
Thesis Structure Options
A candidate may choose either of two thesis structure options, depending on their academic discipline and supervisor guidance :
Option 1 – Monograph Format
Chapter One: Introduction
Background information
Statement of the problem
Objectives (general and specific)
Hypotheses or Research Questions (choose one, not both)
Justification/Significance of the study
Scope and Limitations
Chapter Two: Literature Review
Literature review (critical and comprehensive)
Theoretical framework
Chapter Three: Methodology/Materials and Methods
Chapter Four: Results
May be combined as “Results and Discussion”
Chapter Five: Discussion
Chapter Six: Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Appendices
Option 2 – Paper Format
Chapter One: Introduction
General introduction (same as Option 1)
Chapter Two: Literature Review
General literature review covering the entire thesis
Chapters Three, Four, Five…
Organized according to objectives/topics/experiments or papers
Each consists of:
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and methods/Methodology
Results and Discussion (or separately)
Conclusion
References relevant to that chapter only
Important: Repetitions of literature review must be avoided; references must not be repeated in the list of references for individual chapters .
Final Chapter: General Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations
Consolidated References
Thesis Components in Detail
The Preliminaries
1. The Cover: Black or grey in colour .
2. Spine: Candidate’s surname and initials, the abbreviation for the degree (writings from top to bottom) .
3. Title Page:
Title in capital letters
Candidate’s full names in uppercase below title
Title should be short, precise, concise, and captivating
Citation: “A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate School in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the … (Name of the degree) … Degree in … (Name of the Discipline)… of Egerton University”
Finally: Egerton University, month, and year of presentation in capital letters at bottom
4. Declaration and Recommendation Page:
Declaration: “This thesis is my original work and has not been presented in this university or any other for the award of a degree”
Recommendation: “This thesis has been submitted with our approval as University supervisors”
Original signatures and dates from student and supervisor(s)
5. Copyright Page: Statement that no part may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted without permission of the author or Egerton University .
6. Dedication (Optional): Recognition of inspirational individuals.
7. Acknowledgements: Acknowledge all who participated in completing the thesis. Institutions should be acknowledged before individuals .
8. Abstract:
Single page
Block paragraph comprising:
Background to the problem/motivation
Objectives
Essential methods/materials
Results (should be quantitative)
General conclusion and recommendation (take-home message)
9. Table of Contents:
Synopsis of structural pattern
Contains all major sections (chapter-level headings)
Wording and presentation must match exactly with text
Corresponding page numbers with leader dots/dashes
10. Lists of Figures, Plates, Tables, Abbreviations, and Acronyms:
Separate pages as needed
Figures include graphs, photographic illustrations, maps, drawings
All abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols listed with full interpretations
Pagination of all preliminaries: Lower case Roman numerals .
The Main Text
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Culminates into the scholar’s curiosity to study the subject
Describes the nature of the problem and current state of knowledge in the research area
A well-laid context brings sound understanding of the research topic
1.2 Statement of the Problem
“The nerve-centre of any research work”
Must be clearly and conspicuously stated in just one paragraph
Clearly focused, without unnecessary preambles and ambiguity
1.3 Objectives
General/Broad Objective: The aim, goal, or purpose of research in broad terms; closely related to title and statement of the problem; provides intellectual scope
Specific Objectives: Focused on the research problem; SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound); aligned with hypotheses/research questions
1.4 Research Questions/Hypotheses
A candidate chooses either research questions OR hypotheses (not both)
Well-structured questions yield useful, relevant data
Hypothesis: A guiding principle that culminates into valid and reliable conclusions
In pure or applied sciences, the hypothesis should be measurable and testable
1.5 Justification/Significance of the Study
1.6 Scope and Limitations
Chapter Two: Literature Review
Selective and critical survey of written works in the subject area
Provides background information that jump-starts the research
Useful in providing theoretical framework(s)
Buttresses the statement of the problem by revealing untouched areas
Recent workshops have emphasized the importance of well-structured literature reviews
Chapter Three: Methodology/Materials and Methods
Procedure used in eliciting data from the field
Includes research design, target population, sample size, sampling methods, research instruments, data collection procedures, data analysis methods, and ethical considerations
Well-written to justify the validity and reliability of the study
The IMRAD Format: The Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion format is recommended, with each section flowing logically to guide readers through the research .
References
Referencing Format: American Psychological Association (APA) system, 7th edition
References section consists only of references cited in the text
Consistent format throughout
Students are urged to avoid plagiarism, especially with the rise in AI software use
Appendices
These consist of questionnaires, transcriptions, copy of the research permit, key data analysis outputs, relevant raw data, and abstracts of candidate’s relevant publications.
Submission and Examination Process
Thesis Submission Requirements
The thesis/project must bear the signature(s) of the supervisor(s) indicating approval to submit. Upon receipt, the Board of Postgraduate Studies forwards the thesis to the Examiners within two weeks .
Board of Examiners Composition
The Senate appoints a Board of Examiners for each candidate, consisting of :
Dean of Faculty – Chairperson
Chairperson of the Department
Two Internal Examiners (who supervised the candidate)
One Independent Internal Examiner (competent in candidate’s area of study)
One External Examiner
Senate representative
Faculty representative to the Board of Postgraduate Studies
Examiner Assessment
External and Internal Examiners submit independent written assessments within two months indicating :
Whether the Thesis is adequate in form and content
Whether the Thesis reflects an adequate understanding of the subject
Whether the Degree should be awarded
The Thesis is graded as Pass or Fail .
Oral Examination/Defense
The Director, Board of Postgraduate Studies, notifies the Dean to set a defense date. The defense is held fourteen (14) days from the notice . The Faculty Board of Examiners considers the reports and subjects the candidate to an oral examination. Passing is based on consensus, or the decision of the majority of the Board of Examiners .
If corrections are required, a signed certificate of corrections is issued by the supervisor(s) before the Thesis is submitted to the Director, Board of Postgraduate Studies .
The decision is communicated verbally immediately following the defense and in writing within two weeks .
PhD-Specific Requirements
Candidates must :
Publish at least two papers from their dissertation in refereed journals
Submit the dissertation in quadruplicate and in loose binding
Give notice of intention to submit at least three months before submission, accompanied by an abstract
The defense is held within four months of submission
Required Attachments
Five spiral-bound copies duly signed and approved by supervisors (four copies for PhD)
Certificate of correction after departmental defence with minutes attached
Progress report form (with work plan attached)
Supervision tracking form
Turnitin report generated with assistance of supervisors
Plagiarism/Citation of Sources: Similarity index of less than 24%
Plagiarism clearance certificate
Declaration of originality form
Important Reminders and Common Mistakes
Recommendations from Recent Workshops
The Faculty of Science workshop held on March 21, 2025, provided valuable insights :
Account for every month of research to check on timely completion of Master’s and PhD studies
Ensure connection and flow in work – should be thorough and well-polished
Proposals should be well-structured according to institutional guidelines
The research problem should be well-defined, avoiding vague or general statements
Adhere to each journal’s copyright policies regarding self-archiving and sharing work online
Final oral presentations should be supported by appropriate data while being transparent about limitations
Conclusion
Egerton University’s Graduate School has established comprehensive guidelines to ensure the quality, consistency, and academic integrity of postgraduate theses. Whether you choose the monograph format (traditional six-chapter structure) or the paper format (chapter-by-chapter publication-style structure), adherence to formatting standards is essential for successful submission and examination .
Key requirements to remember:
Formatting: Times New Roman 12pt, 1.5 spacing, 1-inch margins, bottom-centred pagination
Structure: Choose either Monograph or Paper format with supervisor guidance
Referencing: APA 7th edition throughout
Submission: Five spiral-bound copies (or four for PhD) with all required forms and certificates
Plagiarism: Similarity index below 24% with proper declaration
Recent workshops conducted by the Faculty of Science and the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies underscore the university’s commitment to supporting postgraduate students through clear guidance on proposal development, ethical considerations, and thesis examination processes .
Need help with your Egerton University thesis? At Proposal Writers Kenya, we understand the specific requirements of Egerton University’s Graduate School. Our expert academic writers can help you develop a well-structured thesis or proposal that meets all university standards. Visit [proposalwriterskenya.co.ke] today for professional assistance with your thesis writing, formatting, or data analysis needs.