Preparing for a doctoral viva

This paper discusses the issues which need consideration before, during and after a doctoral viva. It is concerned with ensuring that doctoral candidates are well positioned and prepared to maximise the opportunities the viva voce (oral examination of a doctoral thesis) offers them to assist them in achieving a successful outcome. It provides a clear account of the viva process and discusses the associated processes and formalities associated with a viva. The viva voce examination can be an anxiety provoking experience and this paper suggests a number of ways of thinking about and working with this. It suggests strategies relating to presenting doctoral work in the viva as well as considering and answering questions in line with the relevant protocols and procedures. It also considers areas which have the potential to cause difficulties or lead to disappointment for candidates and offers a range of suggestions about how to prepare and present appropriately at a doctoral viva. The paper also offers some potential questions for the doctoral candidate to consider. Doctoral candidates report that it is hard to imagine in advance, but that the viva voce can be an informative, positive and enjoyable experience which provides an opportunity to discuss their work in detail with two experienced and interested senior academics who have studied the work thoroughly.