Are there general guidelines for order of front and back matter sections in a thesis?

Question

I am writing my PhD thesis (physics in a European university) and wonder how to order the "meta-data" chapters.

My university gives very few formal regulations and my adviser wasn't sure.

What I have come up with till now is:

Frontmatter

• Titlepage (position fixed by University)
• Statement page that I wrote this (position fixed by University)
• Disclaimer that part of this work is subject to publication
• Acknowledgements
• Abstract
• Table of content
• Table of figures

Mainmatter

• The "meat" - the real work

Backmatter

• Appendix
• Glossary
• Bibliography

I know this question might come off as opinion based but I believe there are reasons for certain orderings which are based on facts.

Answer 1

One of the wonderful things about your thesis is that it is one of the few documents that there is very little constraint on how you are allowed to arrange it. Once you have satisfied the university's formal requirements (of which there are often few), it is up to you (with, of course, the consent of your advisor). So arrange things however you feel makes the most clear and accessible presentation, and it will be OK.