The PhD Viva What Happens

Heather Dalgleish

Programme

What are your concerns about the viva?

What do the regulations say?
Video and discussion of viva process

Examiners meeting
The viva
Post-viva discussion
The Outcome
Examiners thoughts
Students thoughts

Summary

What is the viva?

What you understand about the viva process?

Do you know what happens on the day?
Do you know what the examiners look for?
What is a pass?
Do you have any particular worries youd like
answered?

Loughborough University Regulations

Current Regulations are available from the

RSO
Provide guidance on expectations relating to
different research degree programmes
Determine the format (layout) of your thesis
Guide you through the thesis submission
process
Guide the choice of examiner
Define what the possible outcomes of a PhD
examination are

What is being examined?

The examiners want to see:

an original contribution to knowledge

appreciation of context of work
knowledge or related areas
evidence of research training and achievement
publishable quality work
equivalent to 3 years full-time research effort

Possible Outcomes

Pass

Refer

Thesis goes back to examiners re-examination

Fail

With or without corrections

Not of PhD standard (MPhil or appeal possible)

Possible to register anew for fresh PhD study

Not Agreed

Re-examined by new external examiner, second opinion.

Video the Preliminary panel discussions

More than one examiner

Examiners discuss their impression of the
thesis
Agree an interview structure for viva
Discuss possible outcomes

The Viva

Viva should not be interrupted

Should be explained to candidate
Questioning

Some general
Some detailed, check understanding

Video the viva section

Watch the next section of video and
consider:
What do you notice about the types of
questions asked?
How does the student answer?
Are there any examples of defending
the thesis?
Is this similar to what you expected?

Video the viva section: Discussion

What did you notice about the types of
questions asked?
How did the student answer?
Were there any examples of defending
the thesis?
Was this similar to what you expected?

Video - Post viva discussion

Examiners discuss the candidates

performance

What was important?

What things did they notice?
Do you think this candidate has passed?

The candidate is told the outcome

What does he have to do now?

Should he be celebrating?

Video Examiners Reflections

Minor amendments are common

What other outcomes are possible?

Examiners dont always agree

Students defence

Positive, not aggressive

If you disagree, say so!
Prepare in advance for likely questions

Video - Students reflections

Draining experience top academic

achievement
Chance to discuss your research with eminent
academic
You are the expert!
No two vivas are the same but question types
will be similar
Try to arrange a mock viva

Summary

Make sure you understand and fulfil all

University regulations
Defend your thesis
Minor corrections are quite usual
Allow time in your plans to make them
Feel proud of your achievement