In the build-up, avoid any situations that might make you feel stressed and instead try to adopt a positive attitude, one that results in a genuine eagerness to engage in a debate about the work you've been toiling over for a substantial period of time.
If you are travelling to the examination, be sure to check that you have everything you wish to take with you, including the thesis, plus any notes or other materials that will help support your claims. The PhD viva can last between one and four hours - usually two - so it's necessary to pace yourself to get off to the best possible start. Remember, the examiners aren't trying to trip you up - they want you to pass and are primarily there to hear you talk about your project.
So after the polite introductions they'll typically start with an ice-breaker to put you at ease and help calm the nerves. It's meant to be an open and honest conversation about your work, so feel free to politely disagree with the examiners, especially on areas you feel strongly about. Don't forget to use examples from your thesis to back up what you're saying, remembering to be clear and concise. If you know your way around your thesis and can explain your thinking and way of working, this test shouldn't be a problem.
And if you don't know the answer to a specific question - admit it, as it's better to concede your limitations in an area than ramble on and hope they don't notice you're struggling to come up with an explanation. No research is perfect, so it's important to appreciate this during the discussion - but don't be too overcritical about your work either, as that's not your job.
Finally, as the PhD viva can quickly move from a series of friendly questions to those that are more in-depth, take some time to think before answering. Don't worry about any periods of silence from the examiners, as this certainly isn't an indication that you're doing badly.
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Log in Register. Getting a job CVs and cover letters Applying for jobs Interview tips Open days and events Applying for university Choosing a course Getting into university Student loans and finance University life Changing or leaving your course Alternatives to university Post a job. PhD study. Discipline differences are important. Our research suggests that most natural and applied sciences vivas were completed in one to three hours, whereas arts, humanities and social science vivas were typically less than two hours long.
It seemed ludicrous at the time, but I actually found myself really getting into the discussion as the viva went on. Enter the Guardian university awards and join the higher education network for more comment, analysis and job opportunities, direct to your inbox.
Follow us on Twitter gdnhighered. How to survive a PhD viva: 17 top tips. Academics offer their advice on how to best prepare Finishing your PhD thesis: tips from those in the know The key to a successful PhD thesis?
Write in your own voice PhD: so what does it really stand for? Photograph: David Sillitoe for the Guardian. Penny Tinkler and Carolyn Jackson, authors of The Doctoral Examination process: A Handbook for Students, Examiners and Supervisors 5 Draw up lists of possible questions — especially ones you dread I collected questions from a bunch of different places listed here which I then tailored to my PhD.
Richard Budd, research assistant, University of Bristol who sat his viva in summer and has blogged about the experience 7 Bring a printed copy that is exactly the same as that of your examiners Ensure you and your supervisor have a printed copy that is exactly the same as that of your examiners specifically the same pagination. Anthony Finkelstein, dean of the UCL faculty of engineering sciences who has blogged about surviving vivas During the viva 8 Get off to a good start Give a few detailed answers in the opening 15 minutes, demonstrating knowledge, describing your thinking and working - then the examiners are likely to relax into the viva.
Rowena Murray, author of How to Survive Your Viva: Defending a Thesis in an Oral Examination 9 Prepare for the icebreaker Every viva opens with that dreaded icebreaker that is supposed to break you in gently but often seems to be the thing that gets students into a pickle. Jerry Wellington, head of research degrees at University of Sheffield and author of Succeeding with Your Doctorate 13 You may need to move from friendly questions to complex debates Vivas can appear friendly and then suddenly go very conceptually complex.
Gina Wisker, professor of higher education and contemporary literature at Brighton University 14 If things get on top of you, use the excuse of having a look at the thesis Make sure that before the viva you get plenty of sleep, eat properly and de-stress.
Peter Smith, author of The PhD Viva 16 Expect your viva to last between one and three hours Students frequently ask how long the viva is likely to be. Your study will have strengths and weaknesses: it is essential that you are prepared to discuss both. You could think of any weaknesses as an opportunity to demonstrate your skill at critical appraisal. Examiners will seek to find and discuss weaknesses in all theses. Do not interpret criticism as indication of a possible negative outcome.
Examiners have different personalities, styles and levels of experience. Sometimes a candidate may feel that a challenge is made in a confrontational way. Experienced, effective examiners will not be inappropriately confrontational, but some will. Do not take offence. A relaxed, thoughtful, and non-confrontational response from you will help re-balance the discussion. The internal coordinator will play no other part in the examination process, but may be called upon for advice or guidance on viva procedures, including the most appropriate recommendation the examiners should make in the light of their discussions.
The oral examination is a regulatory requirement for all students undertaking a higher degree by research. The purposes of the oral examination are as follows:. The examination will normally be chaired by the external examiner.
The oral examination should normally be conducted in English, except in cases where there are pedagogic reasons for it to be held in another language, or where there is a formal agreement that requires the viva to be conducted in another language. Recordings of viva examinations will not be made available to either the student, the examiners or the department, but may be accessed by a Faculty Officer, where required, in the event of a subsequent complaint or academic appeal.
Recordings may also be accessed in the very rare event of the examiners being unable to reach a consensus on the outcome of the examination. On completion of the oral examination, the Examiners should advise the candidate of their intended recommendation to the faculty.
The oral examination is an integral part of the examination process and attendance is compulsory.
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