Writing tools, templates and language of writing
Important information
As of January 12, 2026, it is mandatory to disclose the use or non-use of generative AI in the preface of your masters and doctoral thesis.
To ensure your Master's or Doctoral thesis complies with FESP presentation rules, refer to these tools before you start writing.
Writing tools
To help you write your Master's thesis or Doctoral thesis, we’ve put together a series of tools so you can ensure your document meets FESP presentation rules (Academic Regulations, art. 1.5 a).
Checklists:
- Student checklist - including articles
- Summary Table of Master's thesis and Doctoral thesis Presentation Rules (PDF)
- Master's thesis and Doctoral thesis Checklist (Word, OpenOffice, and LibreOffice formats) (PDF)
- Master's thesis and Doctoral thesis Checklist for LaTeX (PDF)
Language of writing
In accordance with the principles set out in the Politique linguistique de l’Université Laval, theses are written in excellent French. However, on the recommendation of your supervisor, you may request permission from your program director to write part or all of your manuscript in another language.
Authorization is required if:
- One or more chapters are written in a language other than French
- Papers included in the manuscript are written in a language other than French
Your request for permission must be made before you begin writing your Master's or Doctoral thesis.
Document to be used :
- Authorization to Submit a Master' and Doctoral thesis in a Language Other than French (PDF) (FES-101)
Important! If you write your Master's or Doctoral thesis in a language other than French, the title must be in the language the document is written in, but the other title page items must be in French.
Writing templates
Important information
Two templates are available. The choice of template depends on the date of your initial submission.
The templates below use the presentation rules you must follow when writing your Master's or Doctoral thesis. Choose the template best suited to your situation and the type of Master's or Doctoral thesis you will be writing.
Please note that an official cover page, bearing your name, thesis' title, a UL's logo and copyright notice, will be added to your manuscript by our systems upon final submission.
Use the following writing templates to create a standardized title page.
Templates include the new requirements related to declaring the use of generative AI.
| Microsoft Word | |
| Master's and doctorate | conventional thesis |
| compilation or article-based thesis | |
| Doctoral cotutelle | conventional thesis |
| compilation or article-based thesis | |
| Joint master’s degree | conventional thesis |
| compilation or article-based thesis |
| OpenOffice and LibreOffice | |
| Master's and doctorate | conventional thesis |
| compilation or article-based thesis | |
| Doctoral cotutelle | conventional thesis |
| compilation or article-based thesis | |
| Joint master’s degree | conventional thesis |
| compilation or article-based thesis |
LaTeX
All writing templates are included in the ulthese.dtx module. (In English)
The version of the LaTeX template with the declaration on the use of generative AI will be available soon.
In the event of a discrepancy between the French and English texts, the French version prevails.