How to Cite a YouTube Video in OSCOLA (5th edition)
Learn how to cite YouTube and online videos in OSCOLA format (5th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
OSCOLA Bibliography Format
Here is the standard OSCOLA format for citing a YouTube video in your bibliography:
OSCOLA Example for a YouTube Video
A complete OSCOLA reference for a YouTube video, formatted by the official OSCOLA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Study Lab, Introduction to Citation Styles (2024) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBcD1234> accessed January 10, 2026
Matching in-text citation: Study Lab, Introduction to Citation Styles (2024) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBcD1234> accessed January 10, 2026.
The OSCOLA output generated on this site follows the 4th-edition CSL style, because no 5th-edition CSL style has been published in the Citation Style Language repository yet. Adjust it by hand: replace any ibid with the short name and (n X), use the 5th-edition court identifiers, put an Act's short form in single quotation marks, and prefer a persistent link or DOI to an access date
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your YouTube video.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the OSCOLA (5th edition) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your bibliography: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match OSCOLA requirements.
Evidence and review notes
Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.
CSL style record: oscola.csl
Metadata to collect
- channel name and the creator's real name if known
- video title
- upload date
- running time
- video URL
- timestamp of the passage you quote
Common metadata traps
- Use the upload date shown under the video, not the date you watched it.
- Credit the channel as author only when it made the video; otherwise name the creator and note the channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a YouTube video in OSCOLA?
- To cite a YouTube video in OSCOLA (5th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the OSCOLA format for a YouTube video citation?
- The OSCOLA format for a YouTube video is: Study Lab, Introduction to Citation Styles (2024) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBcD1234> accessed January 10, 2026
- What does the in-text citation look like for a YouTube video in OSCOLA?
- In OSCOLA, the in-text citation for the example above is Study Lab, Introduction to Citation Styles (2024) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBcD1234> accessed January 10, 2026.
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