How to reference a thesis or dissertation in Chicago
A thesis footnote in Chicago has 6 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: A footnote, or (Author year)
- Checked 21 October 2026
Pip tip: in KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. Most of this is filled in for you.
The 6 parts
Author, “Title” (Degree, University, Year), Web address.
, 2 · TITLE“Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates” (3 · DEGREEPhD diss., 4 · UNIVERSITYUniversity of Northgate, 5 · DATE2023), 6 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023.
- 2 · TitleCapital letters for the main words (KanBananza adds them). In double 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.Its page in the repository.
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.”3 · DEGREEPhD diss., 4 · UNIVERSITYUniversity of Northgate, 5 · DATE2023. 6 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023.
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” (PhD diss., University of Northgate, 2023), https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023.
The footnote gives the full details, at the bottom of the page.Using Chicago author-date instead?
Some courses use Chicago’s other form: the author and year in brackets in your text, and a reference list at the end. Here’s the same thesis:
. 2 · DATE2023. 3 · TITLE“Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates.”4 · DEGREEPhD diss., 5 · UNIVERSITYUniversity of Northgate. 6 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023.
In your essay: Stress and poor sleep often go together for undergraduates (Wilson 2023).
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” (PhD diss., University of Northgate, 2023), https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023.
No date
Write “n.d.” where the date goes. And add the date you looked at it, after “accessed”.
Grace Wilson, “Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates” (PhD diss., University of Northgate, n.d.), accessed October 14, 2026, https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023.
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Amara Green and Ravi Patel, “Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates” (PhD diss., University of Northgate, 2023), https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023.
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “et al.”, which means “and others”.
Amara Green et al., “Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates” (PhD diss., University of Northgate, 2023), https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023.
Check your university’s version
Chicago has two forms, and departments choose one. Don’t mix them in one piece of work. Your course handbook always wins.
This guide follows The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th edition, in both its forms: notes and bibliography, and author-date.
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” (PhD diss., University of Northgate, 2023), https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023. To point to one place in it, add that at the end: Grace Wilson, “Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates” (PhD diss., University of Northgate, 2023), 81, https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023.
What if there’s no date?
Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how Chicago sets it out: Grace Wilson, “Sleep, Stress and Study Habits in Undergraduates” (PhD diss., University of Northgate, n.d.), accessed October 14, 2026, https://www.example.org/theses/wilson-2023.
Is Chicago the same at every university?
Chicago has two forms, and departments choose one. Don’t mix them in one piece of work. Your course handbook always wins.
Referencing is easier as you go
Our step-by-step guides show how to keep your sources in order while you research and write, so the reference list is ready when you are.
Skip the typing next time
In KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. The details are filled in for you, anything missing is flagged, and your reference list is made in your style. Harvard is free; the other styles come with Full Bananza.
These guides and KanBananza’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 KanBananza and don’t endorse it. See our terms.