Good Responses
Some of your viva questions will have great answers. You’ll know something for certain, either because of your reading or your research. In that situation, when asked you will be able to give an answer. You won’t know in advance...
Daily viva help for PhDs
Some of your viva questions will have great answers. You’ll know something for certain, either because of your reading or your research. In that situation, when asked you will be able to give an answer. You won’t know in advance...
I will engage with my examiners’ questions, whatever they are. If you commit yourself to this goal then you won’t go too wrong in the viva. Keeping this in mind means you’re open to discussion. You’re ready to listen. You’re...
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...
A simple and effective way to tackle a tricky question in the viva is to look for the meaning behind it. If your examiner challenges a method, look for why they might be doing that. If you go blank or...
Your examiners want to read a good thesis with interesting research. They want to follow the viva regulations for your institution and meet the expectations of your field or disciplines. They want to engage with a capable, knowledgeable candidate. They...
It helps to read your examiners’ recent publications before your viva. Look for connections between your work and your examiners’ research. Look for similar terminology. Check to see if they have done work like you or something a little different....
Unless they are both well-known to you before you submit your thesis, take some time in your viva prep to find out more about both your internal and your external. Ask friends and colleagues what they know of them. What...
Your examiners are invited to be at your viva. Like most invitations they can decline if they need to or want to. A viva is a much bigger commitment than the hours on the day for an examiner. If they...
The viva is a discussion but as your work and capability is being assessed most of the questions will flow from your examiners. Their questions will prompt response and the discussion that follows. You have the opportunity to ask questions...
It’s reasonable to expect that examiners might object to something in a thesis. In all the many words you’ve written – the ideas, results and conclusions, and the chapters, methods and formatting – in all of this there’s a chance...