By Referencing is one of the essential things of assignment writing. While there are different styles, the most common ones are the APA and Harvard referencing.
However, in the UAE, many students feel confused when lecturers ask them to use a specific referencing style. They are often confused about APA vs Harvard, which one to use, as they both look similar at first glance.
Well, that might be true; however, they are not the same and using the wrong style can lead to losing marks.
In the UAE colleges and universities, using accurate referencing is essential and a core academic requirement. Whether you are studying business, psychology, nursing, engineering or education, understanding the difference between APA and Harvard referencing is essential for academic success.
Well, in this blog, we will explain the difference between APA and Harvard with examples so that you don’t have any confusion while working on it.
Why Referencing Is Important for UAE Students
There are different reasons why you need to add citations to your work. Referencing shows that you:
- Respect academic integrity
- Additionally, it helps avoid plagiarism
- Moreover, it supports your arguments with credible sources
- Also, it makes sure you follow the university assessment guidelines
Many universities in the UAE such as public universities, private colleges and international branch campuses, require students to strictly follow either APA or Harvard referencing depending on the discipline and requirements.
Why are APA and Harvard Commonly Used in UAE Universities?
Now the question is, with so many citation styles available, why are these two mostly used? Well, the APA and Harvard are widely used in the UAE because:
- UAE universities follow international academic standards
- Additionally, many institutions are affiliated with the UK, US, or Australian education systems
- Both styles are flexible and suitable for research-based assignments
Typically:
- APA referencing is used in social sciences, psychology, education, and health sciences
- On the other hand, the Harvard referencing is used in business, management, engineering, and the humanities
Now learn about both of these in detail:
What Is APA Referencing?
APA or as we call it American Psychological Association referencing, is a structured citation style. Furthermore, it is mainly used in the social sciences. Most UAE universities follow the APA 7th edition.
Key Features of APA Referencing
Here are the key features of the APA citation that make it popular:
- Uses author–date format
- Publication year is very important
- Moreover, it has clear formatting rules for in-text citations and reference lists
- It is mostly common in psychology, nursing, education, and medical programs
APA In-Text Citation Example
(Ali, 2026)
APA Reference List Example
Ali, S. (2026). Academic writing skills for university students. Dubai Academic Press.
What Is Harvard Referencing?
The Harvard citation is a widely used author–date system. However, unlike APA, it does not have a single official manual. Universities in the UAE often provide their own guidelines for referencing in the Harvard style.
Key Features of Harvard Referencing
Here are the key features that make Harvard different from APA.
- Author–date citation style
- Additionally, it also provides slight formatting flexibility
- Emphasis on clarity and consistency
- Moreover, it is common in business, management, and engineering courses
Harvard In-Text Citation Example
(Ali 2026)
Harvard Reference List Example
Ali, S. 2026, Academic writing skills for university students, Dubai Academic Press, Dubai.
What Is the Difference Between APA and Harvard Referencing?
Here comes the main question: What is the difference between APA and Harvard citation?
Well, the main difference between these two citation styles lies mainly in the formatting, punctuation, and structure. While both styles look similar, which often causes confusion, small differences matter a lot in academic marking.
Come on! Let’s have a look at them in terms of in-text citations and reference list formatting.
APA vs Harvard Referencing: In-Text Citations
When adding in-text citations in APA or Harvard style, here are some features to be mindful of. They include:
| Feature | APA | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| Commas | Uses commas | There is no comma in this type. |
| Format | For example (Author, Year) | For example (Author Year) |
| Page numbers | You add page numbers with p. or pp. | However, in the Harvard referencing, the page number is included without p. |
For Example
- APA: (Khan, 2026, p. 45)
- Harvard: (Khan 2026, 45)
APA vs Harvard Referencing: Reference List Formatting
When using the APA vs Harvard referencing, even the reference list formatting matters a lot. Here is what you should know about the key features.
| Feature | APA | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| Year position | It usually comes after the author | In fact, even in the Harvard, it remains the same and comes after the author |
| Capitalisation | We mostly use the sentence case | However, in this we use the title case |
| Publisher location | Not required | Often included |
APA vs Harvard Referencing: Titles and Capitalisation
- APA uses sentence case for book titles
- Capitalisation in Harvard depends on institutional guidelines
For Example: APA
Introduction to research methods
For example: Harvard
Introduction to Research Methods
These are the small differences that are very common and matter the most when working on assignments in the UAE. If you are having trouble adding any of these references, consider seeking professional assignment help from expert writers.
Examples of APA & Harvard Referencing Styles in UAE Colleges
Here are some practical examples of how to do referencing using APA and Harvard, as expected by the teachers in coursework, assignments and research papers.
APA 7th Edition Referencing Style
In-Text Citation Examples
Single Author: (Maya, 2026)
Two Authors: (Maya & Ali, 2026)
Direct Quotation: (Ahmed, 2020, p. 48)
Narrative Citation (Paraphrasing): Ali (2026) explains that digital learning is key to improving student engagement.
Reference List Examples (APA 7th)
Book:
Ahmed, S. (2026). Educational development in the Gulf region. Routledge.
Journal Article:
Ahmed, M., & Ali, R. (2026). Technology adoption in higher education. International Journal of Education Studies, 14(2), 120–145.
Harvard Referencing Style
In-Text Citation Examples
Single Author: (Maya 2026)
Two Authors: (Maya and Ali 2026)
Direct Quotation: (Ahmed 2020, 48)
Narrative Citation (Paraphrasing): Ali (2026) states that blended learning can improve performance.
Reference List Examples (Harvard)
Book: Ahmed, S. (2026) Educational Development in the Gulf Region. London: Routledge.
Journal Article: Ahmed, M. and Ali, R. (2026) ‘Technology adoption in higher education’, International Journal of Education Studies, 14(2), pp. 120–145.
Why Understanding the Difference Between APA and Harvard Referencing in UAE Assignments is Vital?
In the UAE universities, correct referencing is taken very seriously. The lecturers clearly mention whether students must use APA or Harvard referencing. Additionally, they even expect the chosen style to be followed exactly throughout the assignment.
Always remember that even the small deviations from the required format can affect the grades. Moreover, one of the common issues is mixing APA and Harvard styles in the same assignment.
For example, a student might even use the APA style in-text citations; however, when it comes to references in the end, they have used the Harvard style.
Thus, this is considered incorrect in the UAE institutions because it shows a lack of understanding of academic standards.
Additionally, even the punctuation and formatting details matter a lot. Small errors such as using commas instead of full stops, incorrect italics or wrong capitalization, all of this can lead to mark deductions. And since the UAE universities emphasize consistency and accuracy in academic writing, it is very important.
Many students lose marks because they assume that APA and Harvard are the same, as both use the author–date citation system.
However, always remember they are different referencing systems with specific rules. Understanding and applying the correct style helps the UAE pupils avoid the unnecessary penalties and enhance their overall academic performance.
Is APA the Same as Harvard Referencing?
No, APA is not the same as Harvard referencing. While they both use author–date citations; they differ in:
- Formatting rules
- Capitalization
- Use of italics
- Reference list structure
Understanding this difference is crucial for UAE students submitting dissertations, research papers, and final-year projects.
Which Referencing Style Is Best?
You must be wondering which is the best among APA vs Harvard. Well, there is no “best” style overall. The correct answer depends on:
- Your subject
- University guidelines
- Lecturer instructions
Additionally, in the UAE:
- Health and education programs usually require APA style.
- On the other hand, the business and management programs often require Harvard
Before using any of these referencing styles, always follow your course handbook and make sure to read the instructions properly.
Why Do Universities Use APA?
Universities use APA because:
- It provides clear rules for research writing
- Additionally, it is ideal for data-driven and scientific studies
- The best part about using the APA is that it supports consistency in academic work
That is why many UAE universities teaching psychology, nursing, and education prefer APA.
When Should I Use Harvard Referencing?
Here comes the most asked question. When to use the Harvard style. Well, you should use Harvard referencing when:
- Your university guidelines mention Harvard
- Or when you are studying business, management, or engineering
- Your lecturer specifically instructs Harvard style
Never choose the referencing style yourself unless your lecturer allows you to.
Is MLA or APA Closer to Harvard?
APA is closer to Harvard than MLA because:
- Both use author–date citations
- MLA uses the author–page format instead
Additionally, there are only a few universities in the UAE that use MLA citation style. Therefore, students usually choose between the APA and Harvard.
Common APA and Harvard Referencing Mistakes
When it comes to adding references using APA and Harvard style, UAE students often make these mistakes:
- They often mix the APA and Harvard styles
- Additionally, they sometimes use incorrect punctuation or misspellings
- They even use the wrong capitalization
- Even their formatting is inconsistent.
Therefore, if you really want to improve your grades, then avoiding these mistakes is important.
Tips for UAE Students to Avoid Referencing Errors
Here are some tips that you should follow if you want to avoid referencing errors:
- Always check your university’s referencing guide
- Additionally, use one style consistently
- Make sure to double-check in-text citations and reference lists
- Do not rely fully on citation generators
- Always proofread before submission
Conclusion: APA vs Harvard Referencing
This brings us to the end of the guide! Understanding the APA vs Harvard referencing is very crucial for the UAE university students. While both of these styles are widely accepted, they are not interchangeable. Furthermore, they might look the same, but the difference between them lies in formatting, punctuation, and structure.
Therefore, using the correct referencing style can help you avoid plagiarism, boost academic credibility and score higher grades. Additionally, make sure to always follow your university guidelines and never assume APA and Harvard the same.
FAQs
Q. Is APA or Harvard referencing better?
Ans: Both of them are better. The correct style depends on your university and subject.
Q. Is Harvard referencing the same as APA?
Ans: No. They are different styles with different formatting rules.
Q. Which referencing style do UAE universities prefer?
Ans: UAE universities use both APA and Harvard, depending on the course.
Q. When should I use APA style?
Ans: Use APA for psychology, education, nursing, and health-related programs.
Q. What is the main difference between APA and Harvard referencing?
Ans: The main differences are in formatting, punctuation, and capitalization.
