Harvard Referencing: A Quick Guide with Examples
Harvard is the most widely used referencing style in UK universities. It has two parts that always work together: a short citation in your text, and a full entry in the reference list at the end. Get the pattern right once and you can reference almost any source in minutes.
How Harvard referencing works
Harvard is an author-date system. Whenever you use someone else's idea, data or words, you give the author's surname and the year of publication in brackets. The reader then finds the full details in your reference list, which is arranged alphabetically by surname.
You need to reference when you quote directly, paraphrase or summarise someone's ideas, or use their data, images or tables. You do not need to reference common knowledge, such as the fact that London is the capital of the UK.
In-text citations
Basic format
Put the surname and year in brackets, usually at the end of the sentence before the full stop:
If the author's name is part of your sentence, put only the year in brackets:
Direct quotations
When you quote word for word, use quotation marks and add the page number:
Use direct quotes sparingly. Paraphrasing in your own words, with a citation, shows better understanding and usually earns more credit.
Number of authors
| Authors | In-text citation |
|---|---|
| One | (Bryman, 2016) |
| Two | (Braun and Clarke, 2006) |
| Three | (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2019) |
| Four or more | (Smith et al., 2022) |
| Organisation as author | (World Health Organization, 2021) |
| No date | (British Council, no date) |
Several sources at once
Separate them with semicolons, usually in date order: (Bryman, 2016; Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2019).
Two works by the same author in the same year
Add a lower-case letter after the year, both in the text and in the reference list: (Smith, 2023a) and (Smith, 2023b).
Secondary referencing
If you read about a study in another source but did not read the original, cite both and list only the source you actually read: (Maslow, 1943, cited in Robbins and Judge, 2019). Try to find and read the original wherever possible.
The reference list
- Put it at the end of your work under the heading Reference list or References.
- Arrange entries alphabetically by the author's surname, or by organisation name.
- Include every source you cited in the text, and nothing you did not cite. A list of background reading is a bibliography, which some departments ask for separately.
- Use the same format for every entry of the same type. Consistency is what markers check most.
Examples for common source types
Book
Format: Surname, Initial(s). (Year) Title. Edition (if not the first). Place of publication: Publisher.
Chapter in an edited book
Format: Chapter author surname, Initial(s). (Year) 'Chapter title', in Editor initial(s). Surname (ed.) Book title. Place of publication: Publisher, pp. first page–last page.
Journal article
Format: Surname, Initial(s). (Year) 'Article title', Journal Title, volume(issue), pp. page range. Available at: DOI or URL.
Include the DOI whenever the article has one. It is a permanent link, so it is preferred over a database URL.
Web page
Format: Author or organisation (Year) Title of page. Available at: URL (Accessed: day month year).
If no individual author is named, use the organisation that published the page. If there is no date, write "(no date)". Always include the date you accessed it, because web pages change.
Report
Format: Organisation or author (Year) Title of report. Place of publication: Publisher. Available at: URL (Accessed: day month year).
Lecture slides or notes
Format: Lecturer surname, Initial(s). (Year) 'Title of lecture' [Lecture], Module code: Module title. Institution. Date.
Many lecturers prefer you to cite the published sources behind their slides instead, so check before relying on lecture material.
AI tools such as ChatGPT
Universities treat AI tools very differently: some ban them for assessed work, some allow limited use with a declaration, and many have their own citation format. Check your university's current policy before using or citing any AI-generated content.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Citations with no matching reference, or references never cited in the text.
- Inconsistent formatting, such as switching between "and" and "&", or italicising some titles but not others.
- Missing page numbers on direct quotations.
- Listing first names instead of initials in the reference list.
- Copying citations from Google Scholar without checking them: auto-generated references often contain errors.
- Leaving references to the end. Record full details as you read and you will save hours before submission.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use a reference manager?
Yes, especially for a dissertation. Free tools such as Zotero, or Mendeley and EndNote if your university provides them, store your sources and format citations automatically. Always check the output against your university's guide, as small errors are common.
Do references count towards my word limit?
The reference list usually does not, but in-text citations usually do. Check your module handbook, because rules differ between departments.
What is the difference between Harvard and APA?
Both are author-date styles, so they look similar in the text. The main differences are small: APA uses "&" between author names in brackets and a different order and punctuation in the reference list. Use whichever style your department requires, and never mix the two.
Want your references checked?
Our mentors check citations and reference lists against your university's exact Harvard guide, and fix formatting before you submit. Confidential, with free revisions.