APA Style by institution: school guides and local requirements
Quick answer
Each school can adapt APA Style with its own guide. When one exists, it overrides the APA manual. Look for your department's thesis handbook or your library's guide, and when the rules conflict, confirm the answer in writing with your instructor or advisor.
What if my school asks for something different from APA?
Your school wins. APA is the base and each institution adapts it. If your instructor gives a written instruction that differs, that instruction is the one that counts.
What do schools usually change?
| Element | What can change |
|---|---|
| Paper | Letter or A4 |
| Margins | Wider left margin for binding |
| Title page | Crest, city, advisor, degree sought |
| Page numbers | Roman numerals for front matter |
| Contents | Required, with set levels |
| Font | One mandatory font |
| Reference list | "Bibliography" instead of "References" |
How do I find my school's guide?
- Search your library site for "citation style" or "APA guide."
- Check your department's thesis handbook.
- Ask your advisor which APA edition your program uses.
- Save the version you are given and note the date.
How do I use this site if my school has a guide?
As a complement. School guides are short and rarely explain why. Here you get each APA rule with examples, and you can layer your school's changes on top. Start with what APA Style is.
Checklist
- Located your school's guide
- Confirmed the APA edition it uses
- Listed differences from APA
- Asked your advisor about anything unclear
Guides in this section
- How to know what your school requires for APA formatting: Find out what your school requires beyond APA: gather your handbook, rubric and the manual, compare them and follow the priority order, with questions to ask.
Frequently asked questions
What if my school has its own APA guide?
Follow your school's guide. It is usually based on APA and changes details such as the cover or left margin. Use it as your main reference and use this site to understand the general rules.
Where do I find my school's APA rules?
In the library website, your department's thesis handbook or your program's guide. If you cannot find it, ask your advisor or the program coordinator for the current version and the date it was issued.
Is the APA manual still useful if my school has its own guide?
Yes. School guides are brief and usually say what to do, not why. The APA rules explain the logic and cover cases the school guide leaves out, so use both and let the school guide settle any conflict.