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Hellenic Open University assignments: guide & writing specs

Written assignments and the dissertation at the Hellenic Open University follow specific requirements — structure, formatting, bibliography and plagiarism checking. Here they are all in one place, step by step.

01

Written assignments & the dissertation at HOU

At HOU, study is organised into modules (Θεματικές Ενότητες). In each module you complete a series of written assignments through the year, and at the end of the programme you write the dissertation (postgraduate) or thesis (undergraduate). Tutorial sessions support you along the way.

The key throughout: each module has its own study guide with the exact specs (length, format, submission method). What follows are the common rules that apply almost everywhere — but your module's guide always wins.

02

Structure of the assignment / dissertation

A complete HOU assignment usually follows this structure:

  • Cover page — title, module, name, supervisor, date.
  • Abstract — 150–300 words (often in Greek and English).
  • Table of contents + lists of tables/figures.
  • Introduction — subject, aim, research questions.
  • Theoretical framework / literature review.
  • Methodology (for empirical work) — sample, tools, analysis.
  • Results & discussion.
  • Conclusions — answers to the research questions, limitations.
  • Bibliography + appendices.
03

Formatting specifications

The most common text specs at HOU (always per your module's guide):

  • Font: 12pt (e.g. Times New Roman / Calibri / Arial).
  • Line spacing: 1.5 · alignment: justified.
  • Margins: ~2.5 cm on all sides.
  • Page numbering and consistent headings (e.g. 1, 1.1, 1.1.1).
  • Tables & figures: numbered, captioned and referenced in the text.
  • Abbreviations: a list at the start, first mention written in full.
04

Bibliography & citations (APA)

HOU usually asks for APA (7th edition). Two things must always be right:

  • In-text citations: (Author, year) or Author (year).
  • Reference list at the end: alphabetical, with full details for each source.

Every claim that is not your own needs a source — that avoids plagiarism and strengthens credibility. See the full bibliography guide.

05

Plagiarism & Turnitin

HOU checks assignments for plagiarism, typically via Turnitin. To stay safe:

  • Write the text from scratch — no copy/paste.
  • Paraphrase properly and always cite the source.
  • Use direct quotes with quotation marks only where needed.

On every assignment we take on, the text is genuine and written by humans and comes with a free plagiarism & AI check (originality report), so you can submit with confidence.

06

Deadlines & organisation

HOU students usually juggle study with work and family, so time is the most valuable thing. A few practices:

  • Note all assignment deadlines at the start of the year.
  • Work on the dissertation in stages (chapter by chapter), not at the end.
  • Leave time for editing, formatting and a plagiarism check before submission.

If you're under pressure, we can take on the whole assignment or just the part you're stuck on — see the HOU assignment service and the prices.

Frequently asked questions about HOU assignments

What are the writing specifications for HOU assignments?

Each module gives its own study guide, but the common elements are: 12pt font, 1.5 line spacing, ~2.5 cm margins, page numbering, APA-style bibliography and a clear structure (cover, abstract, introduction, main body, conclusions, bibliography, appendices).

Does HOU check assignments with Turnitin?

Yes, HOU uses plagiarism checking (Turnitin). That is why the text must be genuine and written from scratch, with correct citations for every source.

Which citation system does HOU require?

Most often APA (7th edition) — in-text citations (author, year) and a full reference list at the end. Some modules ask for a different system; always follow your module's study guide.

How many words should a HOU dissertation be?

It depends on the programme, but a master's dissertation is usually around 15,000–25,000 words, while written assignments are much shorter. Check your module's guide for the exact limit.

Do you also cover the Open University of Cyprus?

Yes. We support students of both the Hellenic Open University and the Open University of Cyprus, at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

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