How do you defend a PhD Viva?

How do you present a PhD defense?

What is viva Defence?

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'.) It is common in the UK, US, and many other countries. The phrase 'viva voce' literally translates to 'with living voice'.

How do I defend my PhD?

Top tips for your PhD defence process

They expect it to be relevant to the field, have a clear title, a comprehensive abstract, engage with relevant literature, answer clear research questions, provide a consistent argument, and make a significant contribution to knowledge.

How do you answer a PhD viva question?

They are a test of your breadth of knowledge as well as depth of knowledge which is expected of a PhD student. Handling difficult questions: If you don't understand the question, ask for clarification. Paraphrase the question in your own words and say, "is this what you mean?" State your assumptions.

How I prepared for my PhD Viva

What happens if I fail my PhD Viva?

WHAT are the possible outcomes of a viva? Fail with no right of resubmission – this result is very rare and usually only happens if you have plagiarised your thesis. Award of an MPhil – if the examiners feel that the amount of work you've done is not sufficient for a doctoral degree they may award you an MPhil.

What is the first question in a Viva PhD?

The first question the examiners ask is usually a 'settling' question, designed to put a candidate at their ease. Sometimes the examiners will open the viva with a brief indication of their response to the thesis. There is no standard pattern for what the examiners are likely to ask.

What is the pass rate for Viva PhD?

An immediate fail is rare; a 2022 survey found that only 3.3% of PhD candidates fail their viva outright – it certainly isn't something you should obsess over.

Is PhD defense just a formality?

By the time of your thesis defense, your paper has already been evaluated. The questions asked are not designed so that you actually have to aggressively "defend" your work; often, your thesis defense is more of a formality required so that you can get your degree.

How do I prepare for a PhD defense question?

Specific to your study, you need to be ready to discuss: why and how you selected the problem to investigate; the instrument for data collection you chose; the basic assumptions of your study; the theoretical and conceptual framework; the methodology you chose; the way your data were analyzed; and how you solved your ...

What happens in a PhD viva?

Officially called the viva voce, meaning 'living voice' in Latin, the viva is an oral examination that sees a PhD student defend their thesis and showcase their knowledge to a panel of academic experts.

What is a PhD defense?

The doctoral final oral examination, or dissertation defense, is the last formal step before the dissertation manuscript is submitted and the doctoral degree awarded. The focus of the final examination is the dissertation and its relationship to the candidate's field of study.

What is the point of viva?

Examiners may have a strong sense of the outcome from reading the thesis, but the viva gives you an opportunity to defend your work, as well as to validate the thesis and demonstrate your skills in participating in academic discussion with research colleagues.

What is a PhD thesis defense like?

A thesis defense is an oral presentation and discussion of a thesis study. The purpose is to share the results of the study and to demonstrate to the committee and the academic community that the author has done work of sufficient quality to receive the master's degree and is able to speak to it in an open forum.

How do I start a PhD Viva presentation?

Is a PhD defense stressful?

There are a lot of examinations while earning a PhD. Many line up with major milestones of the degree. In general, these are: comprehensive exams, preliminary exams, and a thesis defense. Of those, the defense was the most emotionally and mentally challenging.

How many people fail to defend their PhD?

Probably less than 2–3%, if that, fail the actual defense. If you are going to wash out of the PhD program, it will probably be around year three, not at the final defense. Mind you, in some fields, about 40% of Ph. D.

Is it possible to fail PhD defense?

Yes it is possible to fail a PhD defence and it does happen. Thankfully this is rare.

How long should you prepare for PhD Viva?

Recipe for a good viva prep. If you have the time, forget about the whole PhD thing. You really just need 1 week or less (depending on your availabilities) to prepare just before the thesis, no need to get started too early.

What is the minimum GPA PhD?

Generally, a GPA of 3.0 is considered the minimum for most PhD programs. However, depending on the field of study and the competitive nature of the program, this baseline can shift. For more competitive programs, a higher GPA – think 3.4 or above – is often more favorable.

What is the passing grade for PhD?

A minimum mark of 68% must be obtained in all courses taken by a student enrolled in a doctoral program. When repeating a failed required course, a minimum mark of 74% must be obtained. Higher minimum marks may be required by individual graduate programs.

How hard is PhD Viva?

It's rare to fail a viva, but it's also rare to pass outright. Instead, most students are asked to make some corrections to their thesis.

How do you thank Viva examiners?

A thank you note or message after the viva could be a nice gesture though. A chance to say thank you, to ask any follow-up questions that you forgot or to ask about keeping in touch if that aligns with your future work goals.

How do you greet a PhD Viva presentation?