Public institutions and organizations

Capitalize all the words, including the generic terms, that are part of the official name of public institutions, organizations, societies, associations and movements.

Exemple adequatthe Faculty of Chemistry

Exemple adequatthe Department of Business Management

Exemple adequatthe Language Service

Exemple adequatthe Board of Trustees

Exemple adequatthe General Directorate of Universities


When the names of organizations are in the plural or have a more general meaning, the generic terms should be lowercased.

Exemple adequatThe departments of History and Psychology are piloting a new teaching methodology.

Exemple adequatOne of the aims of a university language service is to prepare students to compete in a globalized society.


When the full name of the organization is abbreviated by deleting a word or words, the capitals should be maintained (see Reference).

Exemple adequatThe Department [of History] is piloting a new teaching methodology.

Exemple adequatThe University [of Barcelona] is engaged in a far-reaching process of internationalization.

Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics
Darrera actualització: 7-9-2023
Recommended citation:
«Public institutions and organizations» [en línia]. A: Llibre d’estil de la Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics. <https://www.ub.edu/llibre-estil/criteri.php?id=2351> [consulta: 25 abril 2024].