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Advice Forums > Forum: Postgraduate Life >
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Robert Jones |
I was nervous. It took me some time to get into the flow and a couple of the questions caught me out. By fifteen minutes in, however, I had warmed to my subject andit had gone from being an interview to being a conversation and discussion (to the extenet that during the 'tea break' the chair was assking questions as well!) I even mangaed to remember to start taking notes (a piece of advice, take lots of notes ass you won't remember the detail of what was discussed)
The Viva lasted the full two hours and the worst bit .. the wait (that seemed to alst hours) whilst the panel decided on the result. Came out alive albeit with three-months worth of corrections and alterations to do. I would say it was a very positive experience. Oh, and one more piece of advice, have some good friends wainting for you, and a pub or cafe close by!
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Krista Kateneva |
Yes, what is viva? I don't think this word is used universally over the world...
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Daniel Colegate |
Hi folks,
I understand a viva to mean the oral examination which occurs at the end of your doctoral studies. The full title would be a 'viva voce examination'. If there is a more universally accepted term for this I can change the title of this forum.
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Sitela Alvarez |
Universities here in the United States of America call them Orals, Qualifying Exams (QUALS), or Comprehensive Examination (COMPS).
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shelagh campbell |
In Canada we see a blend of the UK and US systems, whereby we have comprehensive examinations midway through the PhD and then an oral defence (viva) as well, at the end, which is based on the completed disseration. The goal of the comprehensive exams (comps) is to determine a student's capacity to continue in the program and to make a signficant contribution through their research project. If successful, one becomes a Candidate. In some universities I believe that the thesis research proposal is defended orally, then work continues. The "Oral " (viva) includes the ful committee here (usually 4 people) plus the external examiner.
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Jennifer Winter |
No, Quals and Comps are a little different from a viva. A viva comes after the thesis has been submitted. It judges the quality of the thesis and the suitablity of the candidate for the title of Phd. It is more like a "defence", though one is usually not under attack. In each case, 2-3 academics have read the work and come to ask the candidate any questions they might have to ensure that a) the student actually wrote the thesis b) that they understand what they wrote and c) that the thesis is original enough to be called a PhD.
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Donna Martinez |
Our University calls it Dissertation Oral Examination.
Colloquially we call it "the Defense."
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Kurt Luoto |
I don't know the official term, but per Donna's comment, at my institution we informally refer to the event as "the defense" of one's dissertation. Our format is that (1) the candidate gives a public talk on the material, usually about an hour in length, to an audience consisting of their committee (3 or so faculty members who have read the dissertation ahead of time, plus a faculty member from outside the department to observe the proceedings) and whoever else wants to attend. (2) The public audience is then asked to leave so the committee can ask questions of the candidate in private. (3) The candidate is asked to step outside so that the committee can discuss their evaluation in private. (4) The committee invites the candidate back in to tell him the results.
I have not been through the process myself just yet -- I will next spring -- but I have attended the public portion of a couple of these and waited with candidates outside. By all accounts it was stressful for them, even though they more or less knew that they would most likely pass. You see, their advisors, if they are doing their job, will not let tell their advisees to schedule the defense until they think they are ready. Ideally, the defense is a mere formality, and an occasion for celebration. And if they pass, they usually do celebrate. But it is a momentous occasion, and so understandably they are nervous. And one does hear tales of things gone awry for some candidates, for example, an attendee asking some question that shows up a flaw in a key result of the dissertation. It's rare, but it does happen.
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Anne Probert |
What sort of questions do people tend to get asked in these? I submitted my Thesis in Nov, and just waiting to do my Oral. How do people normally prepare? Any hints?
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Virginia Stead |
For those of us who are new to the graduate student experience, it would be great to hear some details about this "big day". Thanks!
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Stephen Johnston |
I have only sat through a short viva for my masters but I found the examiner really kind to put me at my ease by throwing out a few easy questions and ramping it up slowly. I felt he was really on my side, not trying to trick me, but test me. I hope my PhD viva is like that.
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| Anonymous |
Here are some website I have found about the viva:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2003/sep/16/highereducation.postgraduate http://www.independent.co.uk/student/postgraduate/how-to-shine-at-your-viva-728656.html http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/issue/articles/1960/the_phd_viva_thrive_or_survive http://www.jobs.ac.uk/career-tools-and-advice/studentships/633/ten-tips-for-getting-through-your-phd-viva/ Hope they help.
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