It’s
a focused discussion
giving you the opportunity to defend your PhD thesis in front of a panel of academic experts. Traditionally, your thesis would always be discussed in person, with the interview style exam overseen by at least two (internal and external) examiners.
How do you defend a PhD viva?
- Ask for clarification of ambiguous questions or ask for the question to be repeated if necessary.
- Take time to think before answering.
- Be prepared to ask questions and enter into a dialogue with your examiners.
- Be prepared to discuss your research in context of other work done in your field.
Is a PhD viva a formality?
Here is what I learned about vivas, PhDs, & myself. Here is what I learned from a grinding, traumatising and occasionally comic journey towards getting a PhD. In the UK, a viva is a verbal defence of your thesis; unlike other countries,
it is not a formality
, there are lots of ways it can go wrong.
How long is the average viva?
16) Expect your viva to last
between one and three hours
Obviously they vary. 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.
How do you examine a PhD viva?
Assessment during the viva
The usual approach is to
ask some general questions in the initial phase of the discussion
, and then to work through the thesis, often chapter by chapter. Areas of potential concern will need to be probed in more depth.
How often do people fail PhD viva?
The above statistics indicate that while
1 in every 5 students fail
their PhD, the failure rate for the viva process itself is low. Specifically, only 4% of all students who sit their viva fail; in other words, 96% of the students pass it.
Can you fail PhD viva?
The following are some reasons that come to mind that might justify a failure in the viva: For the thesis:
evidence of academic malpractice
(plagiarism, etc.) fundamental methodological flaws, such as a poorly chosen method or a misapplied method that calls into question the scientific validity of the thesis.
How difficult is a viva?
The chair of the viva is usually the internal examiner, although it can be an independent person. … However, while the pass rate is high, the
viva exam itself can still be intellectually demanding
. This is because you’ll be debating issues that are conceptually complex, so preparation is crucial to your success.
What is higher than a PhD?
In many fields of study, you can choose between a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree and a
professional doctoral degree
. Professional doctoral degrees include the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Education (EdD), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), as examples.
How can I pass viva without studying?
- Calm Down and Breathe. Working yourself up is only going to make things worse, by stopping you sleeping, and making you ill. …
- Do Something Fun. …
- Believe in Yourself. …
- Go in with a Good Attitude. …
- Dress for Viva Success. …
- Read Your Thesis. …
- Know the Rules. …
- Make a List of Your Own Corrections.
What do PhD examiners look for?
Examiners want to read
a thesis where the candidate has used the literature to argue
that: their interpretation of the field is accurate; their research question and approach are worthwhile, appropriate and address a significant gap in the literature; and their results and conclusions make an important contribution to …
How long does a viva voce take?
How long does a PhD viva take? There is no set length for a viva voce exam, but most take
between one and three hours
. A longer viva doesn’t necessarily indicate any problems with your thesis: it may simply be that the examiners are enjoying the discussion.
Why is it called a viva?
Viva voce, is often translated as
living voice or word of mouth
. In the viva you have to answer questions and engage with your examiners. You have to demonstrate that the expertise that created your thesis is lodged in your brain.
What are the questions asked in PhD Viva?
- What is the area in which you wish to be examined?
- What have you done that merits a PhD?
- Summarise your key findings.
- What’s original about your work?
- Which topics overlap with your area?
- Where do current technologies fail such that you (could) make a contribution?
- Who are your closest competitors?
How long does it take to get a PhD through Viva?
The viva voce examination should normally take place
within three months
of the submission of the thesis/portfolio.
How do I pass a PhD interview?
- Review your research proposal or statement of purpose. …
- Be prepared to talk about your research interests in detail. …
- Think about your motivation for pursuing a
PhD
. … - Read your potential supervisor’s work. …
- Familiarize yourself with current scholarship in the field.
