What is a PhD Viva?

what is the 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 happens if you fail a 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 purpose of a viva?

However, the viva, which is the oral part of the assessment, is used to inform the examiners' final assessment decision. The viva gives the examiners the opportunity to explore any issues in detail and provide inspiring advice for your future research career.

Is a viva open book?

During Your Viva...

Most vivas are “open-book,” meaning you can bring reference materials with you.

Why is it called viva?

Viva voce, is often translated as living voice or word of mouth. In the viva you have to answer questions and engage with your examiners. You have to demonstrate that the expertise that created your thesis is lodged in your brain.

The viva: the examiner's point of view

Will I pass my PhD viva?

PhD viva outcomes

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.

What is full meaning of viva?

Italian & Spanish, long live, from 3rd person singular present subjunctive of vivere to live, from Latin — more at quick entry 1.

How long does a PhD viva take?

The PhD viva can last between one and four hours - usually two - so it's necessary to pace yourself to get off to the best possible start. Remember, the examiners aren't trying to trip you up - they want you to pass and are primarily there to hear you talk about your project.

What do you wear to a PhD viva?

Whilst the Faculty would advocate being comfortable, most participants tend to wear smart, professional and respectful attire. If you have any special requirements, you will be given the opportunity to let the administration know so that we can make arrangements for you in advance.

How do you answer a PhD viva question?

You'll very likely be prompted to talk about your research questions in detail, so be prepared to list the questions you set out to answer and the motivation behind selecting each one. Also, be prepared to discuss your aims, objectives, and hypotheses, just in case they ask about those as well.

How many people fail PhD viva?

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.

What to expect from a viva?

At its most basic level, the viva is there to consider what your research is about, what you did, what your findings were and what impact it has made. The exact questions that will be asked can never be guaranteed, but there are some obvious things that the examiners will want to know.

How do you ace a viva?

How many people drop out of a PhD?

Roughly 25%, or a quarter, of PhD students drop out before finishing their degree. This number varies, though, from course to course and from country to country. For instance, the dropout percentage of PhD students in the US is higher, roughly 50%, or half.

How rare is it to fail a PhD?

Drop out rates vary by discipline, but as many as 50 percent of students don't complete their doctorate.

What percentage of people fail a PhD?

The percentage of students who don't complete their PhD varies hugely; some institutions report as high as 71% and some as low as 9%. The PhD non-completion rate depends on many factors, such as the subject or department you are studying in, your age and whether you have a good mentor.

Does every PhD have a Viva?

Note: A viva is a compulsory procedure for all PhD students, with the only exception being when a PhD is obtained through publication as opposed to the conventional route of study.

Is a PhD Viva public?

You will always have an oral ('viva voce') examination on the subject of your thesis. Formally, the viva is a public occasion, which any member of the University may attend.

How much should you prepare for a PhD Viva?

To prepare for the viva, the timetable below provides you with a 10 day 2-part guide that ensures that you have reflected on all parts of your thesis and familiarised yourself with your examiner's work. Part 1 involves familiarising yourself with your examiners work, recent literature and your supervisor's work.

How do you thank viva examiners?

"You are quite welcome!", said enthusiastically, would have been fine. I also like to say something like, "I appreciate your time." Both of these statements end the exchange and are polite.

How do you introduce yourself in viva PhD?

How fast can I get a PhD?

Typical PhD & Doctorate Timeline

Some candidates can fast-track and finish in as few as two or three years, but many take up to six years or more. Factors to keep in mind include field of study, residency components, and whether a dissertation is required.

What is another word for Viva?

Definitions of viva. an examination conducted by spoken communication. synonyms: oral, oral exam, oral examination, viva voce.

What does viva means in college?

1. countable noun. A viva is a university examination in which a student answers questions in speech rather than writing. [British]