Referencing Guides
Referencing is how you credit the sources behind your ideas and avoid plagiarism. Different subjects use different referencing styles, and getting the format exactly right matters for your marks. These free guides explain each major style with clear, copy-and-adapt examples, plus a free tool to format references for you.
Which Referencing Style Should I Use?
Your department sets the style, so always check your module handbook first. As a rough guide: Harvard and APA dominate the social sciences and business; OSCOLA is required for law; Vancouver is used in medicine and nursing; IEEE in engineering and computer science; and Chicago in history and the humanities. If you are unsure, our guides show you exactly how each one looks.
Need your whole reference list checked or formatted? Our citation generator handles the formatting, and our editing and proofreading service or dissertation writing service can take care of the rest.
Referencing FAQs
What is a referencing style?
A referencing style is a set of rules for how you cite sources in your text and list them at the end of your work. Common styles include Harvard, APA, OSCOLA, Vancouver, IEEE and Chicago.
How do I know which referencing style to use?
Your university department or module handbook will specify the required style. If it does not, ask your tutor — using the wrong style can cost you marks.
Is referencing the same as citation?
They are closely related. A citation is the brief marker in your text that points to a source; a reference is the full entry in your reference list. Referencing covers both.
Can I use a tool to format my references?
Yes. Our free citation generator formats references in major styles automatically. Always double-check the output against your style guide, as small details matter.