How to Use Harvard Referencing Correctly

Harvard referencing is the most widely used citation style in UK universities — and one of the most misunderstood. Many students lose marks not because their research is poor, but because their referencing is inconsistent or incorrect. This guide explains exactly how to use Harvard referencing for in-text citations and reference lists, with clear examples for every source type.

What Is Harvard Referencing?

Harvard referencing — also called the author-date system — requires you to cite sources within your text using the author's surname and the year of publication, and then provide full details of every source in a reference list at the end of your work. It is used across business, social sciences, humanities, health and science disciplines in universities worldwide.

💡 Note: There is no single official Harvard style — different universities have slight variations. Always check your institution's specific Harvard referencing guide.

In-Text Citations

In-text citations appear within the body of your essay, immediately after the information or quote from a source. The basic format is: (Author surname, Year) or Author surname (Year).

Paraphrase (most common):

Research shows that student wellbeing significantly affects academic performance (Smith, 2021).

Smith (2021) argues that student wellbeing significantly affects academic performance.

Direct quote (include page number):

"Student wellbeing is the single most important predictor of academic success" (Smith, 2021, p. 45).

Two authors:

(Smith and Jones, 2020)

Three or more authors:

(Smith et al., 2019)

No author — use title:

(NHS, 2022) or (Annual Report, 2022)

Reference List Formatting

Your reference list appears at the end of your work, titled References (not Bibliography). It lists every source you cited, in alphabetical order by author surname. Each entry should include enough information for a reader to find the original source.

Journal Articles

Author surname, Initial(s). (Year) 'Title of article', Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), pp. Page–Page.

Smith, J. (2021) 'Student wellbeing and academic performance', Journal of Higher Education, 45(3), pp. 112–128.

Books and Book Chapters

Whole book:

Author surname, Initial(s). (Year) Title of Book. Edition (if not first). Place of publication: Publisher.

Brown, A. (2020) Academic Writing Skills. 3rd edn. London: Pearson.

Chapter in an edited book:

Author surname, Initial(s). (Year) 'Chapter title', in Editor surname, Initial(s). (ed.) Book Title. Place: Publisher, pp. Page–Page.

Jones, M. (2019) 'Referencing in higher education', in Williams, T. (ed.) The Student Handbook. Oxford: OUP, pp. 45–62.

Websites

Author/Organisation (Year) Title of webpage. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).

NHS (2023) Mental health support for students. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health (Accessed: 1 August 2026).

Reports and Government Documents

Organisation (Year) Title of Report. Place: Publisher.

Department for Education (2022) State of the Nation: Children and Young People's Wellbeing. London: HMSO.

Common Mistakes

Inconsistent formatting between in-text citations and reference list
Missing page numbers for direct quotes
Using "Bibliography" instead of "References"
Including sources in the reference list that are not cited in the text
Incorrect use of et al. (only use for 3+ authors)
Not listing references in alphabetical order
Missing access dates for websites

FAQs

Do I need a reference list and a bibliography?

In Harvard style, you typically only need a reference list — sources you actually cited. A bibliography includes additional background reading. Check your assignment brief to see which is required.

How do I reference a source I found in another source?

This is called a secondary citation. Use: Smith (2019, cited in Jones, 2021). Include Jones (2021) — the source you actually read — in your reference list. Avoid secondary citations where possible and find the original source instead.

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How to Use Harvard Referencing Correctly: A Complete Guide With Examples