This is a generic guide - your institution may have a more specific layout guide.
When preparing your thesis, the order of the different components can be quire confusing. The Title Page, Table of Contents, and the contents themselves, are essential, but the order of the remaining components can change depending on your institution or the recommendations of your supervisor.
This is the order I have found to be most common, though some theses include only the essential elements:
Title Page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Statement of Authorship
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Illustrations/Plates/(other)
List of Abbreviations
List of Definitions
Chapters (content), with numbered headings and subheadings
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Methods
Chapter 3: Results
Chapter 4: Discussion
Chapter 5: Conclusion
References
Tables
Figures
Illustrations/Plates/(other)
Appendices