Considering Outcomes
A few loose thoughts… Viva regulations are impersonal. They give structure. Section 2, paragraph 3, check appendix 2A. Regulations say yes and no. They specify and describe: this is a pass, this is a fail. But viva outcomes...
viva regulations
Expectations Matter
Every viva is unique, but expectations show that yours will not be a total unknown. Expectations provide an outline. “Vivas are generally like this and not like that.” Viva expectations shape preparation and build confidence. The set of expectations you...
“Not Like I Thought”
It’s one of the most common things people say about the viva. I believed my examiners would grill me but instead we just talked about what I had done… I thought I would go blank but it was just good...
Timing
If you check the viva regulations and talk with friends who have been through the process then you can start to appreciate the possible timing of your viva. Ask how long people had to wait for a viva date and...
Patchwork
Every viva is different because every thesis and candidate are unique. Your thesis and experiences will to some extent ensure that your viva is different from every other viva before or after yours. Every viva follows patterns because of university...
Paint A Picture
Every viva is different but knowing what to expect can help you to paint a picture for yourself. Read the regulations, listen to stories and find out about norms in your department or discipline. Your viva will be different from...
Discipline Differences
Reading viva regulations and googling about what to expect for your viva can only tell you so much. There are a lot of general viva expectations worth paying attention to – related to the format, the questions and examiners –...
The Wild West Viva
Stereotypes of 1800s western towns are often invoked when it seems like “anything could happen” but that’s really not the case for your viva. Regulations have to be kept to, and can be known well in advance by everyone involved....
The Chair
It’s not good or bad to have an independent chair at your viva. Independent chairs are not examiners. They’re often a senior member of staff from your institution who is mostly acting as an observer. In your experience of the...
Certainty
You can’t know in advance what questions you’ll be asked at your viva. You can’t know how long it will be. You can’t know exactly what opinions your examiners will hold. A viva experience happens based on a range of...