What Is a PhD Viva? A viva voce, more commonly referred to as ‘viva’, is an oral examination conducted at the end of your PhD and is essentially the final hurdle on the path to a doctorate. …

There is a stereotype that your viva will be a terrifying experience – but that is only one interpretation! Many doctoral students have found their viva experiences to be inspiring and encouraging, enabling them to discuss their passion for their thesis with experienced experts.

There are some common PhD viva questions that come up again and again in PhD oral exams. Learn what they are in this insider guide.

Jan 28, 2025 · The viva voce, usually referred to solely as a 'viva', is an oral test during which a PhD candidate defends their PhD thesis in front of a panel of examiners. (In the USA, it is called a 'defense'.)

What is the viva? This guide aims to explain the purpose of the viva examination; what to expect during your viva; and how to prepare effectively to ensure you communicate confidently during this oral examination. In writing this guide, we interviewed previous PhD students and experienced supervisors; their advice and tips are included.

PhD viva coming up? Based on 15 years of feedback from doctoral candidates we’ve put together this list of 36 questions that are typically asked at PhD vivas to help you with your preparation.

Jul 5, 2023 · The viva voce is the final assessment for a PhD. It is an oral examination where the student defends their research to two academic examiners. This involves answering questions about your work, typically related to the literature, methodology, your findings and the significance of your conclusions.

Nov 23, 2023 · This delves into how a PhD viva is assessed, who is present, the potential outcomes and what follows after. As a quick recap, a PhD viva (also called a defense in some countries) is the final assessment a PhD student undertakes in order to pass their PhD.

Mar 16, 2021 · The PhD viva is an oral test examining PhD candidates to ensure that their knowledge of their subject is strong and that they understand their research. It allows the examiner to independently determine that the research was conducted thoroughly and provides a useful contribution to the field.

Mar 23, 2025 · Prepare for your PhD viva with confidence! Get your free guide with typical questions &a worksheet to help you get ready for your ceremony.