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Nathan

Questions For Your Examiners

Daily Post

The viva is a discussion about you, your thesis and your PhD journey, along with other relevant related topics. Most questions in the viva will naturally flow from your examiners towards you because they’re examining you and your work.

The viva is a conversation though: you might have some questions of your own.

  • You might want to ask your examiners for their opinion on your work.
  • You might need clarification of a point they’re making.
  • You might need a question rephrased.
  • You might just want to know what they think about something.

You have space in the viva to ask your examiners questions. In most cases these opportunities will arise naturally, for example, asking for clarification. It could still help to think through what you would want to know more about if the moment came where you could ask them something.

The viva can be a great opportunity to ask some experts what they think.

Nathan

Ask Your Examiners

Daily Post

Consider your examiners. Two people sat across the table from you and they’re interested. They’ve read your thesis, thought about it and now have questions for you. You’ve got to answer their questions to pass, but maybe you can get some answers to questions of your own. You might ask:

  • What did you think of this?
  • I haven’t published a paper about Chapter 3; what journals might be good for that?
  • I was thinking of extending my work in this way – what do you think?
  • What next steps might I take?

You don’t have to ask them questions, but there’s an opportunity in the viva to get ideas and insights from two experienced researchers who’ve read your thesis.

What do you most want to know?