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Tag: viva regulations

Nathan

People Like Us

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Seth Godin defines culture as “people like us do things like this.”

This relates to the viva in lots of ways.

Some academic culture comes from rules. The regulations describe how things must be done in a formal way. General viva experiences follow stories: past experiences are shared, become embedded and then show up as general expectations. Examiners and candidates do things in a certain way because past examiners and candidates have done it before.

More particular viva experiences can become an expectation too. The culture in a department could lead to presentations as viva starters, a particular opening question, a way of communicating results or even celebrating success.

“People like us do things like this.” It’s important to figure out the things that people do – and remind yourself that you’re included in that definition. People like YOU do things like this – including succeed at your viva.

Nathan

The M&M Clause

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There’s an old story that rock band Van Halen asked for bowls of M&Ms in their dressing rooms as part of their contract – but with all of the brown candies removed.

This wasn’t superstars being super-picky: the detail was way down the contract clauses and served as a safety check for them. The band had shown up to concerts previously and found stage crews who hadn’t followed safety procedures they had set out and agreed to. Now if they showed up and saw brown M&Ms in their dressing room they would know there was a good chance that the venue weren’t paying attention and they could take action as needed.

 

There’s an analogy here for the viva!

You might want to be a rockstar but alas you’re the venue.

You need to read the regulations (the contract) that your institution has put forward. Don’t simply follow what others tell you or what seems like common sense.

Read the regulations. Be sure. Regulations are updated from time to time so be sure that you know the process, know what you and others need to do and know what the exceptions are. If your viva needs to be different for some reason then you can see how that comes about, who does what and why.

You’re unlikely to find a small clause in the regulations that means you have to provide bowls of treats for your examiners but it’s worth checking all the points so that you can concentrate on the real work of getting ready.

Nathan

Unexpectations

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There is a lot that you can expect from your viva.

If you explore regulations and viva stories you can get a good sense of what they are like. Regulations give a foundation of the process and what examiners do. Viva stories describe the pattern of experiences that candidates have.

They give a feel for vivas. As a result, you can build expectations you can work towards.

 

There is also a lot that you can’t expect from your viva.

Stories might showthe range of experiences but you can’t expect a particular viva length or a definite opening question. You can be confident of the work you’ve invested but you can’t expect your examiners to agree with you about every detail of your research.

You can know about vivas but still expect that there will be some unknowns – aspects of your viva that you cannot know until you get there.

You can expect a lot but must also expect the unexpected.

Nathan

The Regulation Checklist

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As you approach submission it’s helpful to make sure you have consulted the thesis examination regulations for your university. Don’t simply rely on word of mouth as regulations are updated from time to time. Make sure you check:

  • What forms need to be completed and when do they need to be done?
  • What is the process for submitting forms and your thesis?
  • When do you have to advise the university of any special circumstances for your viva?
  • If you want to have a video viva how do you make that happen?
  • Will you have an independent chairperson?
  • What are the key dates and milestones you should expect?
  • How far in advance of your viva are you likely to know the date and logistics?
  • What do the regulations say about the on-the-day process of the viva?
  • What are the different outcomes for vivas at your institution?
  • How much time is given for the completion of minor corrections?

If you can find an answer to every one of these questions then you’ll know what you need to know from the regulations to help you have a good viva.

Nathan

A Check-up

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Submission is a good time for a check-up ahead of your viva.

  • Have you read the thesis examination regulations for your institution?
  • Have you talked to your supervisor about who your examiners will be?
  • Have you sketched out a plan for your viva prep and have a sense of what you need to do?
  • Have you got a basic idea of the on-the-day process for your viva?

And importantly: do you feel confident for meeting your examiners?

If you do, that’s great! What can you do in the coming weeks to keep hold of that feeling?

If you don’t, there’s time. What steps can you take in the coming weeks to build your confidence?

 

PS: one thing that might help is getting more viva help regularly! Follow this link to subscribe and get each new Viva Survivors post sent to you by email 🙂

Nathan

The Good Viva

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How do you have a good viva?

That’s a hard question to answer. What counts as good is going to vary depending on what you think, feel and know about vivas. It also depends on what you really want from your viva. If you are trying to get through your PhD and want the viva to be an exam and done then you’ll have a different set of criteria than if you are looking for a rewarding conversation with your examiners.

So on one level it’s hard to say how someone has a good viva when they can have different expectations or desires.

On another level it’s quite straightforward:

  • Do the work;
  • Write the best thesis you can;
  • Read the regulations;
  • Find out what to expect;
  • Do the necessary prep;
  • Show up to do the work on the day.

And that’s how you have a good viva. You do the work and keep doing the work. If you have other criteria that are bound up in your viva being good then you can probably work out steps that will help you get closer to that too.

 

PS: Want to explore having a good viva in more depth? Then check out the details of my Viva Survivor webinar which is running on Wednesday 3rd December 2025. I’ve shared this session more than 400 times and it is my comprehensive live session on getting ready for the viva. Check the link for full details of what to expect!

Nathan

Regulations & Requests

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Thesis examination regulations underpin viva expectations. They set out how examiners should generally approach the viva and how they should behave. Coupled with practice and culture this gives rise to expectations and patterns. Things tend to happen in certain ways.

This doesn’t mean that viva expectations are the only way they can proceed. In particular, if you need something that doesn’t follow past patterns then you should ask for it. If you need more breaks, a specific room setup or have other particular requirements then your examiners need to know.

Vivas follow regulations but those regulations are there to help ensure that vivas are fair for all candidates. If you need something make sure you make a request. Don’t hope. Don’t expect that people will somehow know.

Check and follow the regulations. Make requests for what you need for your viva.

Nathan

Plan Ahead

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Read the regulations for vivas at your institution before you get to submission time.

Sketch out a plan for your prep when you submit your thesis, looking ahead at your obligations and circumstances for the coming weeks.

Assume that you have a good plan as you get to work but review it as and when you do work or your situation changes.

When confronted with several options for how to get ready – or when circumstances change ahead of your viva – the best option is probably the one that allows you to keep as many options open as possible.

The more freedom you have to pivot and change your plans the less stress you’ll hopefully have as you get ready for your viva.

 

PS: if you’re thinking about how to plan your viva prep you can get many more ideas at my Viva Survivor webinar on Wednesday 3rd December 2025. This is my in-depth 3-hour session on getting ready for your viva. Participants can attend the live session, get a catch-up recording and a bundle of resources to help their prep. Also, if you use code VIVASURVIVORS before midnight on Sunday 5th October 2025 you can save £10 on registration!

Nathan

The Default

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Two examiners and a candidate in a fairly anonymous university room. A facilitated discussion that takes place over two or three hours with one or two breaks. It begins with a big opening question and concludes with a short intermission while examiners check they’ve covered everything.

The above is one way to describe the default viva experience and yet every week I’d bet there is a viva taking place somewhere in the UK where:

  • The candidate needs to have three examiners;
  • The viva is finished in an hour;
  • Examiners ask in advance for a presentation to kick things off;
  • The candidate needs to bring resources with them like a screen, a prototype or something to demonstrate;
  • The viva happens over Zoom.

Of course, video vivas are much more common now than six years ago, but they aren’t thought of as part of the default option.

The default might give a sense of what your viva will be like – or what vivas are supposed to be like – but your viva will be unique.

Your research is unique. Your thesis is unique. You and your circumstances are unique.

There are regulations and expectations and a sense of what your viva will be like. There’s an idea of a default viva, but the reality of your viva. Any differences you perceive or need for your viva do not make for a situation to automatically worry about.

Nathan

Check The Timings

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The length of your viva doesn’t matter for the most part.

There’s an obvious exception: if the amount of time that you are in the viva could have a negative physical, mental or emotional consequence for you then you need to explore what measures could be put in place via your Graduate School or Doctoral College to make sure the viva is fair for you.

That aside, while there are trends and patterns, vivas generally take as long as they need to. Aside from being tiring if they’re long there are no greater likelihoods of negative outcomes based on viva length. Rather than try to make it be quick it’s better to just prepare and engage as well as you can.

 

Viva length is a distraction. Better timing-related questions to ask are:

  • What paperwork do I need to submit ahead of my thesis submission and when do I need to do that?
  • When after submission will I be told the date of my viva?
  • How much notice will I be given?
  • When do I need to declare if I have reasonable adjustments that need to be addressed?
  • How much time is given for different kinds of corrections?
  • If there is any more post-viva paperwork when does that have to be completed by?

One more timing-related question: when will you celebrate your viva success?

 

PS: if you’re looking for more ideas about expectations that are worth focussing on then please check out The Expectations Issue, my latest curated collection of Viva Survivors help.

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