hkputhesis

The unofficial LaTeX class file for PhD/MPhil thesis of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Version 2.0 follows the Regulations on the Format and Presentation of Thesis for RPg Degrees in the PolyU Research Postgraduate Student Handbook. Always check the latest regulations before submitting.

Usage

Click Open in Overleaf above to start a new Overleaf project from the latest version of this template. If Overleaf cannot find the main file, set it to main.tex under Menu → Main document.

Compile main.tex with pdflatex (or latexmk -pdf main.tex). The front matter is built from abstract.tex, publication.tex (optional), acknowledgement.tex and abbreviation.tex (optional); delete an optional file to leave that part out.

Class options:

Option	Effect
phd (default), mphil	Degree shown on the cover and title pages
initial	Adds "Initial Submission for Examination Purpose" to the cover page. Remove it for the final thesis
onehalfspace (default), doublespace	Line spacing
nolof, nolot	Omit the list of figures / tables
print	Two-sided layout with a 1.5" binding margin (the default is one-sided, for electronic submission)
10pt, 11pt, 12pt (default)	Font size

Front matter commands (in the preamble): \title, \author, \dept, \submitdate (month and year of the initial submission), \awardyear, \dedicate, and \partneruniversity / \partnerdept for Dual PhD, and \attribution{chapters}{chief supervisor}{previous university} for transfer-in PhD students.

Changes in v2.0 (2026)

• Electronic submission: one-sided A4 layout by default; the PDF has all fonts embedded and no security settings.
• New cover page: capitalised title and name, MPhil/PhD, university, year of award, and "Initial Submission for Examination Purpose" (replaces "Temporary Binding for Examination Purposes", option tempbind still works).
• Title page reads "partial fulfilment" and supports a Dual PhD partner university and department.
• Optional Statement of Research Attribution and Intellectual Property Clearance for transfer-in PhD students.
• One-and-a-half (or double) line spacing via setspace.
• References and publications should be in alphabetical order of the first author, so the sample uses the plain bibliography style instead of unsrt.
• Acknowledgements must explicitly acknowledge the role of the supervisor(s), including any former supervisor(s).
• The lists of figures, tables and abbreviations are optional.