Preparing for a Viva

Tristram HooleyPostgraduate Training Co-ordinator

Student Learning Centre

Overview

• Consider what a successful PhD will contain;

• Explain the University of Leicester regulations for vivas;

• Watch and reflect on a sample viva;• Consider strategies to help with viva

preparation and combating nervousness.

Structure

• Mini-viva• Your questions• What is a PhD?• Why do we do vivas?• The process of submission and viva.

Mini-viva• Get into pairs. One of you will play the role of the

examiner and one of the candidate.• Spend 3 minutes asking your partner about their

research.– What is it about?– Why is that significant?– How does it fit into the field?– What are the weaknesses with it?– What would the next research project be?

• Once you have done this for 3 minutes – swap roles.

Questions?

• When will you submit?• What do you want to know about the viva

process?• Have you asked your supervisor?• Who else can you speak to about the viva

process?

What is a PhD?• Is a PhD about learning to research? • Is it about researching to learn? • Is the PhD about the thesis or the student? • Is the thesis a demonstration of what has been

learnt or part of the learning process? • Is a PhD an award for acquiring specific skills or

attaining a level of maturity and personal growth? • Does a PhD qualify someone as:  

– a teacher– a researcher– an academic

University of Leicester Regulations

“To be admitted to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy a candidate shall have presented a thesis on the advanced study and research which has satisfied the examiners and contains original work, and contains material which is deemed worthy of publication, and shall have satisfied the examiners in an oral examination. A candidate may submit in support of the thesis any published work in the general field of the approved study.”

The Philosophy of the PhD

• Trial – “it’s hard, but if you survive…”;• Apprenticeship – “you can be one of us”;• Research – “you have got to create some

brilliant”;• Training – “you will learn some useful stuff

which will help you get a job”.

Why do we do vivas?

There are three reasons why PhD candidates have to have a viva: it is so the examiners can see:

• whether it is your own work; • whether you understand what you did; • whether it is worth a PhD (i.e. is a

contribution to knowledge).

Submitting your thesis

• You must give 3 months notice of your intention to submit your thesis on a Graduate Office form.

• You will be given a booklet (by the Graduate Office) with detailed instructions about the format and presentation of your thesis.

Choosing examiners• Your examiner will be chosen by your supervisor

and will have to be ratified by the Graduate Dean.• However, it is likely that you will be asked/able to

suggest someone who you would like to examine you:– Choose well respected people in your field who would

be useful as a reference.– Choose people who you know if possible.– Read potential examiners published output before you

choose them.– Take advice from your supervisor.

Tips for preparing for vivas• Prepare to discuss both your thesis and what has

been left out. • Think about what future developments may flow

from your work • Bring a copy of your thesis to make notes on.

Examiners may be precise in their comments and questions, referring to pages, sometimes lines etc.

• Remain familiar with the thesis. There may be a long period of time between submission and viva. If you spot mistakes you can bring a list of corrections.

The viva itself• You may attend the viva by yourself or you may

have your supervisor present. • Often, but not always, it the external examiner

takes the lead. • Vivas are often interrogatory. Be prepared to

argue. • It is likely to take between 1-3 hours although this

will vary. • The examiners should indicate when they will let

you know their decision. Usually this will be immediately or after a short wait.

Structure of a viva

• Examiners meeting• Viva• Post-viva discussion• Communicating the outcome

Possible outcomes• Recommendations can be as follows:

– Award of the degree without any changes being made to the thesis.

– Award of the degree subject to minor amendments, in which case amendments must be made within 1 month of the date of the viva.

– Revision of the thesis and a requirement to re-submit. This means fairly substantial re-rewriting.

– Revision of the thesis and the requirement to submit for a lower degree than the one for which you submitted.

– Award of a lower degree. – Rejection of the thesis with no right of re-submission.

New category

Minor/major corrections

• Almost everyone will be expected to make some corrections;

• If you are required to resubmit you may or may not be required to attend another viva;

• If you have major corrections – do not give up – the end is probably closer than you think.

After the viva

• The examiners will prepare a joint report, which sets out their recommendation. This report is submitted to the Faculty Board and to Senate for approval.

• Especially in the case of resubmission, you should consult immediately with your supervisor.

• In such cases, examiners would give you a written report on the areas upon which you would be required to do more work.

Once you have completed your PhD I

• Party!• Take some time before you decide what to

do next.• Expect to feel depressed – it is almost

always an anti-climax.

Once you have completed your PhD II

• Meet with your supervisor to discuss your next move;

• If you are looking for an academic career you will need to start thinking about publications, post-docs and job applications.

• If you are not looking for an academic career talk to the Careers Service about your options.

Preparing for Your Viva

• Complete the preparing for you viva sheet. Try and think of things that you need to do and questions that you need to ask.

Further reading

• P. Cryer (2000) The Research Student's Guide to Success, published by the Open University Press. 

• Tinkler and Jackson (2004) The Doctoral Examination Process

Further support• Your supervisor• Recent PhDs who have sat vivas in your subject

area (post-docs in your dept?)• Study Central >> Blackboard• Student Learning Centre

– Individual consultations– Books– More workshops next term

• Careers Service