Vivas

This guide offers advice on viva voce examinations for postgraduate research students. It includes:

What is a viva?
Preparing for your viva
Getting your results
Dealing with corrections and revisions
Appeals

You may also find it useful to book an individual advice session with a Study Adviser.

What is a viva?

A viva voce is an oral examination (usually referred to as a viva). In some courses, students are given vivas as part of the undergraduate or Masters assessment process. However, it is more usually found as part of the final assessment process for PhD students.

Its main purpose is to assess your research and subject knowledge. The viva will generally be conducted by an external examiner and an internal examiner. Although the format may vary, it will involve a discussion of your research topics and conclusions. You will be asked questions that will give you the opportunity to show the examiners your research skills and the originality of your ideas.

In some academic cultures, this examination is known as a 'thesis defence'. However, in the UK, it is more commonly seen as an opportunity for you to explain and expand on your research to examiners who are experts in your field.

Preparing for your viva

Format - Make sure you know what the format will be. It may be helpful to look at the University's Guide for Examiners of higher degrees by research, which can be found here: Higher degrees by research. Also talk to people who have recently gone through the viva process in your department. Your viva will not be the same as theirs, but it will give you a better idea of what might happen.

Prepare - It is crucial that you prepare well for your viva. This will help calm your nerves and also ensure that you make a good impression on the examiners. Know your thesis well; reread it and annotate it - you will be expected to take a copy into the viva, and it will be helpful if you can find key areas quickly. Also keep reading the latest research in your field - this will keep you aware of current developments and stimulate your thinking.

Practice - Ask your supervisor if it is possible for you to have a practice viva. This will help you familiarise yourself with the whole process. For more suggestions about speaking in public, see our guide to delivering presentations.

Who is your examiner? - It will help you to feel more confident if you know a bit more about who will be examining you. Find your external examiner online and make sure you're familiar with their area of expertise and publications. This may help you to see what areas of your thesis they will be most interested in discussing. Finding a photograph may also help to calm your nerves.

Make a list of possible questions - There may be obvious questions you're likely to be asked, and preparing the answers to these questions is always helpful. Some of the broad questions that most vivas will cover are:

- "What have been the significant contributions of your research?"
- "What would you do differently if you were setting out to do it today?"
- "Where do you see this kind of research moving in the future?"

You might also want to think about anything in your thesis that is controversial or new. What would you say if you were asked about these?

Explain it to a friend - When you've been working on a complex project for a number of years, it can be hard to see the bigger picture. It can help to get your ideas straight in your head if you have to give a simple explanation to someone outside of your topic.

Don't rush your answers - Take your time. Have a drink of water, or use phrases such as 'That's a good question' to give yourself time to think.

Discuss and explain - Don't answer questions with 'yes' or 'no', but justify your comments with examples or evidence.

Answer assertively but don't be defensive. The examiners are not there with the intention of failing you - they want to hear what you have to say about your work.

Stay calm - Don't forget, this is the one exam where you are likely to know more about the subject than those giving the marks! The examiners want to get the best out of you. As long as you do the preparation, you'll be fine.

Getting your results

In some cases you may be told the result of your viva straightaway, but more often examiners take some time to discuss before making a decision. The three most usual outcomes are:

Passed without changes (or with very minor changes)
Minor revisions to be completed
Major revisions to be completed

It is very unusual to pass without any changes - almost everyone has to make some revisions.

Dealing with corrections and revisions

The outcome of a viva is not usually a clear pass / fail result. Nearly all students will have to make changes, ranging from minor corrections to major amendments. Being asked to make revisions means having the chance to improve your work in light of the comments of experts in your field - it does not mean you have 'failed'. It will also strengthen your work for the future.

Understandably most postgraduate students see their viva as the end of their PhD journey, but for almost everybody there will be a few more steps to go. It may be difficult for you to get back into working mode when you thought you had finished. Below are some suggestions to help you manage your corrections and revisions, and get your changes done.

Allow yourself some time off

Give yourself a chance to recover and refocus on your goals
Remember your reasons for doing a PhD and use these aims to motivate yourself in the final stages

Get another perspective

Having been involved in intense study activity (and probably anxiety) in the run-up to your viva, it is not surprising if you find yourself feeling quite emotional and even confused afterwards. This can be the case whether you have passed without corrections, have minor amendments or major revisions to complete.

Many students have found that talking to someone who has not been involved can help to put the whole experience into perspective. This might be a Study Adviser, who can also help with your organisation and time management to get revisions completed, or someone from the Counselling Service.

Get the list of corrections

The examiners will produce a list of the changes they require you to make. This will usually be forwarded to you from the Examinations Office or via your department.

Make sure you get this as soon as possible, as you will need to demonstrate that you have made all these changes satisfactorily; it will form the basis of what you do next.

See your supervisor - soon

Talk through with your supervisor what you plan to do for each correction, and check that this is what is needed. Arrange a deadline for making the changes and confirm that your supervisor will be available to give feedback on your changes.

You and your supervisor may decide that a fresh perspective is needed, so your supervisor might suggest a colleague that could advise on the corrections.

Clarify what you need to do

Check with the examiners (if possible) or your supervisor (if not) what they want for each correction. For example does "Expand on method in Chapter 3" mean write a few more sentences explaining the method, or add a whole new section to Chapter 3 going through the methodology in fine detail?

Draw up a timetable

Normally, minor corrections have to be made within 3 months, and major amendments need to be made within 1 year of the viva.

Draw up a realistic timetable for making the changes – taking into account outside pressures like your funding ending, returning home, finding a job, family commitments. Just like when you were writing the thesis, break the corrections into tasks that need to be done, and set aside specific times when you will do them.

Don't leave it too long

Although you might not want to look at your thesis ever again, it is better to get going while it is fresh in your mind. The longer you leave it, the harder it is to get started again.

Start with the smaller tasks that are easier to complete, like correcting typos, to get back into the flow of working.

Recognise when you are procrastinating and overcome this by setting yourself small goals and rewards.

Stay focused

Don't agonise about getting changes "perfect" and reworking the whole thesis. At this stage you need to be clear what the examiners want and give it to them. Be thorough, but be efficient – don't waste time doing more than is necessary.

Check the changes with your supervisor

You don't want to have to make any further corrections after your resubmission, so check with your supervisor that you have covered everything the examiners require.

Your supervisor may be able to point out places that you can strengthen or reword to ensure you meet the examiners' criteria.

Resubmit

Once you and your supervisor are happy that you have made all the necessary corrections and completed them thoroughly – resubmit the thesis.

Ensure you are clear on the University procedures for resubmission – the examiners may have the option of asking for a second viva.

Remember: In years to come no one will ever ask you about your corrections. Many top academics had to make major changes to their theses and this has helped, not harmed, their careers.

back to top

Appeals

Appeals are possible in the case of irregularities in the examination procedure, exceptional circumstances, or evidence of prejudice and bias. Appeals cannot be made against the academic judgement of examiners. Check the University procedures and contact your supervisor or department if you are considering appealing. You may also find it helpful to discuss your reasons for appealing with a RUSU Student Adviser who will be able to give you confidential advice on your appeal options.

back to top