phd viva wishes

Congratulations Message for PhD or Doctorate Degree Generator

Copied the message:, congratulations messages for phd or doctorate degree.

When someone close to you earns a PhD or doctorate degree, it's a big accomplishment. So, it's only natural to want to send a message of congratulations.

There are many benefits to sending congratulations messages for PhD or doctorate degrees. For one, it helps to show your support for the individual. This can be especially important during the challenging times that come with earning a higher degree.

Additionally, a congratulations message can be a great way to show your pride in the individual's accomplishment. It can also be a nice way to stay connected to someone you may not get to see as often as you'd like.

Finally, sending a congratulations message is simply a nice gesture. It's a way to let the person know that you're thinking of them and that you're happy for their success.

No matter what your relationship is to the person earning the degree, a congratulations message is always a thoughtful gesture. So, if you know someone who is celebrating this milestone, don't hesitate to reach out and let them know you're proud of them.

Below are various congratulations messages for PhD or Doctorate degree;

1.    Congratulations on your Doctorate! Today, we celebrate you.

2.    Congratulations! You earned this Ph.D.! Let me know what you're going to do with it.

3.    Congrats on your doctorate! With your new title comes all the bragging rights.

4.    Congratulations, you have completed your Doctorate Degree! We are proud of you and so happy for you.

5.    Congratulations! You've earned your Doctorate Degree! Here's to the next milestone in your education.

6.    Congratulations! You made it to the top of your field, and you deserve some recognition.

7.    Congratulations on your Doctorate!

8.    Congratulations on your Ph.D.! You made it, congrats!

9.    Congrats on your Ph.D.!

10.    Congratulations!

11.    Congrats, doctor! We hope you're enjoying your new title. We know how much hard work it was for you to get there!

12.    Congratulations! We are beyond proud of you for achieving this monumental milestone. Your hard work in school has paid off.

13.    Congratulations! You've just received your Ph.D. - congratulations!!

14.    Congratulations, Doctor! I'm so proud of you.

15.    Congratulations! You made it to the top of your field with this honor. You're so talented, and I couldn't be more excited to see what you do next.

16.    You have earned your doctorate in medicine! Congratulations. Keep up the good work, and let us know if you need any help.

17.    Congratulations on receiving your Ph.D.! Take this opportunity to plan what you'd like to publish and share it with the world. So many possibilities.

18.    Congratulations on your Ph.D.! We're happy to support you as you pursue your dream.

19.    Congratulations! You earned your Ph.D. degree! From all of us at ______. We are so proud of you.

20.    Congrats! You're a Doctorate degree-holder now. We celebrate with you.

21.    Congratulations! This is such a milestone achievement. Here are a few messages to help you celebrate.

22.    You're so incredibly amazing! Congratulations on your Doctorate.

23.    Congratulations on your Doctorate Degree! We can't wait to celebrate all your success together.

24.    Congratulations, doctor! You made it. You're officially a Ph.D. holder and you deserve to be celebrated.

25.    Congratulations on your Ph.D.! Your tenacity and hard work have paid off.

26.    Congratulations on your Doctorate Degree! Graduation Day is Here.

27.    Congratulations on your Ph.D. degree! You deserve it.

28.    Congratulations on your Ph.D.!

29.    You did it! You made it through all the studying and research. Congrats on your Doctorate Degree.

30.    Congratulations! You're almost finished with your journey to becoming a Doctor. Your hard work has paid off.

31.    Congrats on your new doctorate!

32.    You've been accepted as a University lecturer and completed your final exams! Congrats on an impressive and well-deserved Ph.D.!

33.    Congratulations on your Ph.D.! Here's an exclusive $500 gift card and our best wishes for your future endeavors.

34.    After years of hard work and dedication, you've finally earned a Ph.D. Congrats on graduating!

35.    Congratulations! You've earned this Ph.D./ Doctorate!!!

36.    Congratulations! Your hard work really paid off and you've earned your PhD.

37.    Congratulations! You have finally completed your PhD.

38.    Congratulations on your Doctorate Degree! I am here to help with whatever you need - let me know how I can provide.

39.    Congratulations! You've successfully defended your thesis. Your hard work has paid off. I'm so proud of you.

40.    Congrats, on your lifelong goal!

41.    Congratulations on graduating! You've been a busy genius the last few years and need a break. Come on get some rest!

42.    You're ready for your time in the spotlight! Congratulations on your PhD.

43.    Congratulations on your Ph.D.! You deserve this hard-earned degree!

44.    Congratulations! Your hard work paid off and now you're a doctor!

45.    Congrats! Your hard work paid off and you've earned your Doctorate! Here's to the next chapter of your life.

46.    Congratulations, you made it! You've earned your Ph.D. I am proud of you.

47.    Congrats on your Doctorate Degree! We're so happy for you. You deserve a celebration and maybe some cake.

48.    Congratulations on your new doctorate! I am hosting a celebration party for you.

49.    Congratulations on your doctorate! You're awesome.

50.    Congratulations on earning your Doctorate Degree! May we send you flowers to celebrate?

51.    Congratulations on receiving your Ph.D. Hard work pays.

52.    Congratulations on getting your Ph.D.! I'm so proud of you, and on behalf of the whole family, please accept our sincere congratulations.

53.    Congratulations! I'm so proud of you for having the courage to achieve this great milestone.

54.    Congratulations on your Doctorate Degree! You're a star! We are proud of you.

55.    Congratulations on obtaining your Ph.D.! It's a prestigious degree that requires years of studying and researching - a job well done!

56.    Congratulations on your new degree! Here's a lovingly designed card to celebrate.

57.    Congrats on your Ph.D.!

58.    Congratulations on your Ph.D.! Here's a gift from the team to congratulate you on this big accomplishment-a $100 Amazon gift card.

59.    Congratulations, Doctor.

60.    Congratulations! We're so happy for you!

61.    Congratulations on your recent Doctorate Degree! Let's celebrate.

62.    So proud to be your mom! You've been working hard and we're so proud of you. Congrats on your Doctorate.

63.    Congratulations on getting your Doctorate! You're smart, beautiful, and inspiring. You deserve the best in life.

64.    You did it! You've just completed your Doctorate Degree, and we're so proud of you. Congrats on all the work you've done and all that you'll do.

65.    You're so brilliant! We should celebrate getting your Doctorate Degree.

66.    Congratulations! You've earned this.

67.    Congratulations! You've made a significant contribution to society. Let's celebrate this big achievement.

68.    Congrats on your Ph.D.! Keep up the great work and know that you'll always have an audience.

69.    Congratulations Dr. Jones! We can't wait to see what you will achieve next.

70.    Congratulations on earning your doctorate!

71.    Wow! Congratulations! We're so proud of you for achieving this great recognition.

72.    Congratulations! I'm so proud of you. You deserve the best.

73.    Congratulations! You've completed your Doctorate Degree!

74.    You made it! You got your Doctorate Degree. Congratulations! Here's to your success.

75.    Congrats on receiving your Ph.D.! You deserve this momentous accomplishment.

76.    Congratulations on your Doctorate Degree! We believe in your capabilities and promise to be with you every step of the way.

77.    Congratulations on your doctorate. The world is now open for you to conquer.

78.    Congratulations, you've made it! I know this is a big milestone for you, and I'm so proud of everything you've accomplished. I am so excited for everything to come.

79.    Congratulations! You've passed the final exam to receive your Doctorate.

80.    Congratulations on your Doctorate! Here's a little celebratory gift.

81.    You are now officially the smartest person in your field :) Congrats!

82.    Congratulations! You got your doctorate!

83.    Congratulations on your Doctorate! You've earned a degree of distinction.

84.    Congrats! I'm so proud of you.

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Readings With Hope

48 Congratulations Messages for PhD or Doctorate Degree Students

Have you ever witnessed the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and relentless pursuit of knowledge? 

Imagine the elation, the sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving the pinnacle of academic excellence. 

As we celebrate the remarkable journey of Ph.D. students, it’s imperative to convey our heartfelt congratulations in a way that truly honors their extraordinary achievement.

Here, we present some heartfelt messages that encapsulate the pride and admiration we feel for these exceptional individuals as they embark on the next chapter of their scholarly endeavors.

Congratulations Messages for Phd Admission

• “Congratulations on your admission to the PhD program ! Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off. This is a remarkable achievement and the beginning of an incredible journey in academia. I have no doubt that you will contribute valuable insights to your field!”
• “Well done on securing your spot in the PhD program! This is a testament to your brilliance and perseverance . I’m thrilled to see where this next chapter takes you. Your future is undoubtedly bright, and I’m excited for all the discoveries and contributions you will make.”
• “ Congratulations! You’ve been admitted to the PhD program, a milestone that speaks volumes about your academic excellence and passion for your field. This journey will be challenging but incredibly rewarding. Your dedication is inspiring!”
• “This is fantastic news! Being accepted into a PhD program is no small feat, and it clearly demonstrates your commitment and capability. Embrace this new adventure with the knowledge that you are fully equipped to excel. Congratulations!”
• “Congratulations on your PhD admission! Your journey has been nothing short of inspiring , and this achievement is a significant milestone. The dedication and resilience you have shown are commendable. I look forward to seeing the impact of your research.”
• “I’m so proud of you for getting into the PhD program! This achievement is a clear reflection of your hard work, determination , and intelligence. The road ahead is full of possibilities and I’m excited to see the contributions you will make to your field .”
• “Your admission to the PhD program is well-deserved. Congratulations on this incredible accomplishment ! Your passion and dedication have led you to this moment, and I have every confidence in your success moving forward.”
• “ Heartfelt congratulations on your PhD admission! You’ve crossed a major threshold in your academic career, and I’m thrilled to witness the excellence you’ll bring to your research and the academic community.”

• “Congratulations on your admission! It’s a privilege to see someone so dedicated and talented achieve this significant milestone . Your PhD journey will be demanding, but I know you will rise to the challenge and excel .”
• “Well done on earning your place in the PhD program! Your perseverance and academic prowess have truly paid off. This journey will be one of growth and discovery, and I’m excited for the contributions you will make to the world of academia.”
• “Congratulations on your PhD admission! This is a testament to your exceptional skills and dedication. I’m confident that you will bring fresh perspectives and innovations to your field. Your future is incredibly promising!”
• “Achieving admission to a PhD program is a significant accomplishment , and I’m so proud of you for reaching this milestone. Your dedication to your studies and research is admirable , and I’m excited to see where this journey takes you. Congratulations!”
• “Congratulations on your PhD admission! Your drive and intellect have opened the door to an amazing opportunity. This journey will challenge and inspire you, and I can’t wait to see the innovations you’ll bring to your field.”
• “ Bravo for securing your place in the PhD program! This achievement is a testament to your exceptional talent and hard work. The journey ahead is full of promise, and I’m confident you’ll make a lasting impact .”
• “Your admission to the PhD program is incredibly well-deserved . Congratulations on reaching this milestone! Your commitment to your research is inspiring, and I have no doubt you will excel in this new chapter.”
• “This is a momentous occasion ! Congratulations on your acceptance into the PhD program. Your dedication and perseverance have paid off, and I’m excited to see you thrive in this challenging and rewarding environment.”

• “ Heartiest congratulations on your PhD admission! You’ve proven yourself to be a formidable scholar , and this is just the beginning. The academic community awaits your contributions with great anticipation.”
• “Well done on your PhD admission! Your hard work and dedication have clearly shone through. This is a golden opportunity to further your research and make meaningful contributions to your field. Congratulations!”
• “Congratulations on this spectacular achievement ! Being admitted into a PhD program is a clear indicator of your academic excellence and potential for groundbreaking research. I’m thrilled about your future discoveries.”
• “Your PhD admission is a testament to your brilliant mind and unwavering dedication . This milestone is just the beginning of a journey filled with discoveries and success. Congratulations on this well-deserved accomplishment!”
• “ Incredible job on earning your place in the PhD program! Your ability to tackle complex problems and push the boundaries of knowledge is truly inspiring. I’m looking forward to seeing your impact on your field.”
• “Congratulations on your PhD admission! This step is a huge leap towards fulfilling your academic and research ambitions. Your passion and perseverance have led you to this point, and they will guide you to even greater achievements.”
• “ Congratulations on your well-deserved PhD admission! Your journey so far has been a testament to your hard work and dedication . The academic world is ready for your contributions, and I’m excited to see where this path takes you.”
• “Securing your admission into the PhD program is a major milestone —congratulations! Your commitment to excellence is evident, and this opportunity will enable you to explore and transform your field in unimaginable ways.”

Congratulations Messages for Phd Graduation

• “Congratulations on your PhD graduation ! This is a testament to your incredible perseverance and dedication. You’ve not only advanced your own knowledge but are set to contribute significantly to your field. Well done !”
• “ Heartfelt congratulations on achieving this monumental milestone! Your PhD is not just a degree, but a symbol of your relentless dedication and passion for research. The world awaits your innovations and discoveries.”
• “Congratulations on your outstanding achievement ! Completing your PhD is a remarkable feat that speaks volumes about your intelligence, determination , and hard work. Your future endeavors are bound to be exceptional .”
• “Well done on reaching the pinnacle of academic excellence —your PhD graduation! This milestone is a launchpad for your career, and I have no doubt you will make waves in your field. Congratulations on this incredible success !”
• “ Bravo on your PhD graduation! You’ve climbed the highest academic mountain, and your view must be spectacular. Your journey has been inspiring , and your future is as bright as your brilliant mind . Here’s to many more achievements!”
• “Congratulations on your PhD graduation! This is a major accomplishment that showcases your expertise and commitment to your field. The dedication you’ve shown is truly commendable. Your journey is just beginning .”
• “Achieving your PhD is a monumental success that few attain. Congratulations on this significant milestone! Your hard work and sacrifices have culminated in this proud moment. The impact of your research will be far-reaching .”
• “Your PhD graduation marks the culmination of years of research, study, and sacrifices. Congratulations on achieving such a prestigious milestone ! Your dedication to advancing knowledge is truly admirable .”

• “ Heartiest congratulations on your PhD graduation! You’ve proven that with perseverance and passion , even the loftiest goals are achievable. Your academic journey has been nothing short of inspiring .”
• “Congratulations on your PhD graduation! You’ve mastered the art of perseverance, dedication , and scholarly excellence. This achievement opens up a world of opportunities . I can’t wait to see where your talents take you.”
• “ Warmest congratulations on your PhD graduation! Your journey has been a beacon of inspiration for all who aspire to pursue their dreams. Your contributions to your field are already impressive , and the best is yet to come.”
• “Congratulations on your PhD graduation! You’ve achieved the highest level of academic excellence and are poised to make a significant impact in your field. Your hard work and determination have truly paid off .”
• “Congratulations on your PhD graduation ! The dedication and passion you’ve shown on this journey are truly remarkable . Your ability to overcome challenges and push the boundaries of knowledge is inspiring . Here’s to your continued success!”
• “ Huge congratulations on achieving such a monumental milestone—your PhD graduation! Your journey has been a testament to your resilience and unwavering commitment . I am excited to see the impact your future work will have on the world.”
• “Completing your PhD is an extraordinary achievement that reflects your hard work, intelligence, and dedication to your field. Congratulations on reaching this pinnacle of academic success ! The future holds endless possibilities for you.”
• “ Bravo on your well-deserved PhD graduation! You’ve not only earned the highest academic degree but also demonstrated exceptional skill and perseverance. Your contributions to your field are sure to be groundbreaking .”

• “Congratulations on your impressive achievement ! Graduating with a PhD is a clear indication of your expertise, dedication , and passion for research. Your future endeavors are bound to be successful and influential .”
• “Your PhD graduation is a significant accomplishment that speaks to your hard work and academic brilliance . Congratulations on reaching this milestone! Your journey has been inspiring , and I look forward to your next chapter.”
• “ Heartfelt congratulations on completing your PhD! This milestone is a reflection of your incredible dedication and the hard work you’ve invested in your research. Your achievement is truly commendable .”
• “Congratulations on your PhD graduation! You’ve demonstrated exceptional perseverance and intellectual rigor throughout your journey. Your ability to contribute meaningfully to your field is undoubtedly remarkable.”
• “ Warmest congratulations on your PhD graduation! Your journey to this point has been filled with challenges, but your determination and passion for your work have shone through. The academic and professional worlds await your innovations .”
• “Congratulations on achieving this pinnacle of academic excellence —your PhD! Your dedication to pushing the boundaries of knowledge is admirable . This achievement marks the beginning of a promising future filled with impactful contributions .”
• “Your PhD graduation is not just an academic achievement; it’s a testament to your incredible resilience, intellect , and commitment to making a difference in your field. Congratulations on this well-earned success!”
• “Congratulations on your PhD graduation! Your hard work, dedication, and brilliant insights have brought you to this moment. Your future contributions to your field are eagerly anticipated by all who know the value of your work .”

Founder @ ReadingsWithHope.com

I make sure that your cards don't go empty handed.

Best Wishes for PhD Defence or Viva

Getting to climb the ladder in academics requires a lot of diligence, discipline and determination. So when you hear that someone has achieved a doctorate degree, you should begin to look at the amount of effort and years put into it before getting that title. Celebrating our loved ones with beautiful messages for accomplishment for doctorate degree is therefore in order.

For a loved preparing for this last exercise before scaling through the hurdle of getting the very highest degree recognized anywhere in the world, you should wish the person success in their forthcoming defence or viva. A viva or PhD defence may be the last mountain to climb before getting a doctorate degree and it is accompanied by a lot of tension and stress. So, success wishes for someone facing an academic defence for a degree is suitable to ease their nerves and give them the courage that they are able to go all the way.

It is a beautiful thing to wish them well and assure them that you will be right there waiting to celebrate fully with them. So, with these best wishes for PhD defence or viva written here, you don’t need to worry about what to write on the exams success card of your special person because these are the best collection you will ever see. Wish that special person well and tell them that the next time you would address them, you would put a ‘Dr’ before their names.

Best Wishes for PhD Defence

You have come this far to achieve this great feat and nothing can stand in your way, not even your PhD defence because my best wishes for success will accompany you and see you through. Congratulations in advance.

1. Congratulations in advance on the prospect of achieving your PhD. I know that your PhD defence will just be a walk in the path for you because I have seen you working hard day and night. Best wishes on your PhD defence.

2. You have all these years studied and with diligence, you are close to the end of the journey with the forthcoming PhD defence as the only challenge left. Best wishes in your PhD defence.

3. I am wishing you the best in your PhD defence and I can’t wait to congratulate you on successfully completing your PhD. I know that nothing can stop you.

4. You are always gracious in victory and even humble in defeat, but as you prepare for your PhD defence, I wish you victory because I can’t wait to address you as Doctor. My best wishes.

5. As you go into the hall for your PhD defence, I wish you all the best and I hope that every question thrown at you would be a revision of what you have learnt and prepared for. Congratulations on getting to this stage in your life .

6. My warmest congratulations for making it to this end after so many years of hard work and astute determination to succeed. You are finally scaling the highest heights in academics. I wish you flying colours in your PhD defence.

7. Dear brother, accept my warmest congratulations on the journey so far in your academic path. Getting to defend your PhD shows that you have put so much work into it, I wish you all the best as you prepare for this last challenge. See you on top.

8. You are about to earn the highest degree in academics, a PhD! Congratulations in advance to you and best wishes as you get on the PhD defence. You will come out shining.

9. Dear sister, you have come this far and I am extremely proud of you. As you prepare for your PhD defence which would herald your successful completion of this journey, I wish you all the best.

10. I hope that this doctorate degree gives you a path to a life that is without blemish and smooth. I can’t wait to see you march out in grand style from your forthcoming PhD defence. Best wishes.

11. I am super proud to know that all that is left for your PhD defence. It’s been a journey of many challenges but see you today, preparing for your PhD defence, best wishes and I hope to call you Doctor very soon.

12. If what you are preparing for is your PhD defence, then rest assured that you will scale through. After all these years and hard work, you deserved to be crowned a Doctor of Philosophy. I am sending you my best wishes as you go in for your PhD defence.

13. Let me be the first to greet you as a Doctor that you are because you are coming out at the other side of that PhD defence hall as a doctor. Best wishes to you, dear.

14. You are a source of inspiration to me and many others. I am wishing you excellent greatness as you face your PhD defence. In the end, we will celebrate your greatest achievement in life. Congratulations to you in advance.

15. To enrol for a PhD takes a lot of courage. To go along with the course takes a lot of hard work. To be at it and all the research takes a lot of effort. You have endured all these. That alone is an encouragement that your PhD defence will bring you glory. Best wishes on your PhD defence.

16. I am very happy to be associated with someone like you who has such a great tenacity for excellence. As you prepare for your PhD defence, I wish you all the very best. Congratulations doctor.

17. After the successful defence of your PhD, you will be regarded as the most beautiful Doctor and the most intelligent too. I wish you all the best as you prepare for your PhD defence.

18. Dear, I am happy to know that you will be going for your PhD defence any moment from now. I wish you all the best, our very own incoming doctor.

19. From your antecedents, I have known that you are one of the best we have in the family and to know that you are about to complete your PhD program with your defence coming soon, I can only wish you all the best. Many blessings will come upon you. Congratulations.

20. My dear, congratulations to you on your forthcoming PhD defence. I am greeting congratulations because I know that you will scale through easily. Having come this far, you are unstoppable. Good luck to you.

21. This is a remarkable point in your life. I wish you a smooth ride as you prepare for your PhD defence. Congratulations in advance.

22. To the most studious lady on the planet, I am not surprised that you are about to reach the climax of your academic path. Congratulations in advance. As you prepare for your PhD defence, I wish you the best of all blessings and if possible good luck.

23. Congratulations to the doctor in waiting. The only thing standing between you and being called a doctor is your PhD defence. Best wishes as you go in to bring it down and bring home the title and great achievements. Congratulations and best wishes.

24. First, congratulations and two, best wishes as you prepare for your PhD defence. I hope to celebrate with you at the end .

25. As you look forward to achieving a milestone in your life with your PhD defence, I am confident that you will come out with excellence and flying colours. Best wishes.

26. My best lady. Thumbs up on the occasion of your PhD defence. I know you are capable. Best wishes to you.

27. At the end of this PhD defence, one thing is sure- you will be addressed as a Doctor. It’s such a great achievement and we are looking forward to it. I wish you success in your PhD defence. Congratulations.

28. With this next phase of your life, you would prove every doubter false about your capabilities, dear. I am so proud of you. I wish you flying colours and excellence as you prepare for your PhD defence.

29. It is a special moment indeed to know that what’s left of you is your PhD defence. I wish you a very easy journey in this last part of this journey. Congratulations.

30. Dear friend, your perseverance and dedication are worthy of emulation and they have kept you to this very stage of your PhD defence. I wish you success in it. Go for Gold.

31. You are about to complete your PhD program. I appreciate your efforts and hard work. I wish you heavenly blessings in your academic career and in your PhD defence.

32. I am delighted to know that you going in for your PhD defence. It’s been an awesome journey though with great efforts put in the work and process. I wish you blessings and favour in your PhD defence. Good luck to you.

33. Best wishes on your forthcoming PhD defence.

34. You have worked really hard to get to this stage; it is the final stage to receiving a PhD degree. I wish you a beautiful outing on your PhD defence.

35. It is a well-deserving honour to receive a PhD defence but it doesn’t just come on a platter of Gold. It comes with a real lot of hard work and determination. You have got this. Best wishes to you on your PhD defence.

36. Congratulations in advance to you on achieving your doctoral degree. Yes, I know you have a defence to pass through, but I know that my best wishes to you on your PhD defence will see you through. Congrats!.

37. A PhD defence is not something to be scared about; you have studied so hard and worked so hard to get to this stage. I wish you the best.

38. See you on the other side when I would call you ‘Dr……….. I wish you success in your PhD defence.

39. I am so happy to be wishing you the best on the occasion of your PhD defence. You are so amiable and loving. You deserved to be called a doctor after all your hard work.

40. I am sending you all the best wishes as you conclude your PhD program with a defence. You will come out excellently well.

41. You are truly a self-motivated person and it proves that you cannot be stopped; not even the PhD defence that is coming soon. I wish you the best.

42. Your determination for success has brought you to this point where you have your PhD defence. I wish you victor and to see you crowned with that prestigious degree.

43. I will be the first to tell you ‘Congratulations on achieving your doctorate degree’ immediately after this PhD defence. Until then, best wishes in your defence.

44. It’s a great milestone to be awarded a PhD degree and with your hard work and relentless efforts, I want you to know that your PhD defence will be the icing on the cake of your victory and success. I wish you the best.

45. Looking at the events of these past years, I have seen in you a never-dying spirit. Congrats to you. I wish you success in your PhD defence.

46. What a doctorate degree reflect is years of hard work and dedication. You have finally reached the pinnacle of this academic pursuit. Best wishes on your PhD defence.

47. I have always wanted to congratulate you, and on this day I say congratulations on your forthcoming PhD defence because I know that you will come out in flying colours.

48. You are the best and most dedicated person I have seen in a while. I wish you great results and success in your PhD defence.

49. I am so happy for you. You have really laboured and worked hard to get to this day. I wish you success on your PhD defence.

50. Congrats on your success all the way to your PhD defence. Congrats and best wishes!

Best Wishes for PhD Viva

Your PhD viva is on the way. See it as a route to you achieving your highest degree in life and not as an obstacle because I know that you are capable to overcome it. Best wishes and I will see you on the other side for victory.

51. It is the day you have been expecting; the day for your PhD viva. I wish you all the best. Well done, Doctor in waiting.

52. With this stage of life, I hope that all the goals that you have set become more feasible. I wish you the best result as you go in for your PhD viva.

53. To get a PhD, perseverance is key and that has landed you in this position today where you have to do your PhD viva. I wish you excellence and success. Congrats in advance.

54. I wish you all the best as you go in for your PhD viva. You have worked so hard to get to this level; there is no going back. You will come out with a new title. Congrats once again.

55. With your PhD viva, I can only wish you all the best for all your future endeavours and that you achieve all the more success after your PhD viva.

56. After all these years of hard work and research, you are ready to defend with your PhD viva in view. I wish you exceeding and outstanding success.

57. I am sending my warmest greetings on the occasion of your PhD viva. You have proved to everyone that you are able to conquer even the highest mountain. Wishing you an excellent result.

58. This new phase of your life is to greater achievements. I am sending to you my warmest wishes and blessing on your PhD viva.

59. A PhD is what you really deserve and for your PhD viva, I wish you all the best. I hope to see you in flying colours after the exercise. Congrats once again.

60. Hard works are rewarded with good grades and I am confident that yours would be one to reckon with. I wish you all the best in your PhD viva.

61. I know that after your PhD viva, I would congratulate you as a ‘Dr’. Wishing you more achievements and success at your PhD viva.

62. You are such a sweet person and I cannot but wish you well on your PhD viva. Go out there and make history!

63. You are always setting records and smashing them. Once again, you are about smashing this academic record in the family. I wish you success on your PhD viva. Congrats in advance.

64. I am so happy you made it to this stage. I wish you success and best wishes on your PhD viva. Congratulations to you.

65. We will always remember your feat on this academic path; congrats on your PhD viva. Best wishes.

66. I have learned from you that with the right attitude and determination, nothing is impossible. I wish you a great outing on your PhD viva.

67. Congratulations on getting the “Doctor” title finally. Though you have a viva to attend, I know that you will scale through it. Best wishes on your PhD viva.

68. Hard work always pays off; that’s the truth and for you, your PhD viva points to it. I wish you excellence and success on your PhD viva.

69. I ask that God bless you as you get set to achieve greatness with your PhD viva which is the avenue to you obtaining your doctorate degree. Best wishes

70. All the success that is waiting for you will come open because, with this PhD viva, you are getting on top of the ladder. I congratulate you and wish you well in your PhD viva.

71. Congratulations on your PhD. Your viva is a springboard to getting to the pinnacle of your academic career. I wish you all the very best as you go in for your PhD viva.

72. You are an inspirational personality. You’ve put in a lot of hard work and resources to see that you get to this stage where you would be defending your PhD. Wishing you all the best in the PhD viva.

73. The hard work and efforts you put into your endeavours are beyond excellent. You have just one more hurdle to cross which is your PhD viva. Wishing you the best.

74. Congratulations on another success to you! You are about to get your doctorate degree. Wishing you all the best in your PhD viva.

75. You see, a doctorate degree comes with a great deal of respect. You have earned it from me. I wish you success in your PhD viva. Congratulations!

76. Your PhD viva is something to look forward to because I know you will come out smashing it. Best wishes to you.

77. You have brought a touch of success in everything you do. With this stage of your life where you have to obtain your PhD, it’s a boost for everyone who supported you in your days of hard work. We will wish you best wishes in your final lap.

78. Everyone here both at the faculty and laboratory is immensely proud of you. Congratulations in advance to you and best wishes on your PhD viva.

79. To our young doctor, congratulation to you. A PhD degree is a test of endurance and patience. You have come this far. I wish you all the best in your PhD viva.

80. You have accomplished this task with so much effort and hard work. Congratulations on your achievement. Wish you a successful outing in your PhD viva.

81. This is probably one of the best days of your life because you are about to be crowned a champion of research. I wish you success in this final lap which is your PhD viva.

82. I look forward to the day when we would celebrate with the “Doctor” because, after this PhD viva, you would become a celebrity. My best wishes for your defence in your PhD viva.

83. The title of a doctor would fit you so well but you just have one hurdle to cross. I wish you the best as you prepare.

84. There are no excuses for failure because everyone has a chance to get back up when down. I wish you much more success and for your PhD viva, best of luck.

85. Dear brother, you are just going to be announced to the world because this is just the beginning. I wish you every beautiful thing on your PhD viva.

86. You will come out in flying colours because your flight of success has taken off. Wishing you favours and blessings on your PhD viva.

87. You’re the pilot of your life and you have flown very well to this juncture: you are about to defend your PhD. Wishing you the best on your PhD viva.

88. I am confident that you’re going places where you will be unstoppable. A PhD degree is not picked up on the streets. You have worked so hard for this day. Your viva is going to be amazing. I wish you the best!

89. My dear, being honoured with the highest degree is an honour in itself. I wish you abundant blessings and success as you scale the hurdle of your PhD viva. Congratulations Doctor.

90. Most of the time, people celebrate the success of people and tend to forget the hard work. I saw you laboured very hard to become who you are today. As you prepare for your PhD viva, I wish you the best.

91. You have walked on the journey of life till this point. There is nothing again that can stop you. Wishing you the best in your PhD viva.

92. Congratulations in advance, my “Dr”. Your hard work has paid off. I wish you success in this final stage of your PhD viva. See you on top.

93. Your PhD viva is your door to being called a Doctor. Congrats to you and wishing you all the best.

94. I love the fact that you believed in yourself and your ability to see it through. Here we are today- defending your PhD. Congrats and best wishes on your PhD viva.

95. I am happy you are about to achieve the height of your academic path. I hope to see you decorated as a doctorate degree holder after your viva. Best of wishes on your PhD viva.

96. You desired it. You worked for it. You laboured for it. You endured it. And now it has come. Best of wishes on your PhD viva. Congratulations Doctor.

97. You are self-motivated and your optimism is an inspiration to many. You stayed all through the long process of your PhD program and today you are about to go for your Viva. I wish you all the best.

98. You had a dream; holding a doctorate degree. It is about to be accomplished. I wish you success on your PhD viva. Love you so much.

99. Thank you for being such an inspiration to many around. As fr your PhD viva, you can rely on our wishes and our prayers. Wishing you all the best.

100. All that is left to your long-cherished dream of becoming a PhD holder is your PhD viva. I hope that it comes to you on the altar of victory. Best wishes to the next doctorate degree holder.

These messages are carefully written for you so that you can celebrate in advance any of your loved ones on the forthcoming achievement that is coming their way. For this magnitude of achievement like a PhD, you will definitely need these best wishes for PhD defence or viva as listed above. Your friends may also have someone they want to celebrate, so please share this page with them.

• Congratulations / School and College

Doc-torate Success: Crafting Congrats for PhD Graduates

Last Updated May 15, 2024

The Significance of a Doctoral Degree

The culmination of academic excellence.

• When we talk about a doctoral degree, we’re delving into the realm of academic excellence at its zenith. It’s the culmination of years of dedication, intellectual rigor, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Achieving a doctorate isn’t merely crossing the finish line; it’s reaching the pinnacle of one’s field, standing on the shoulders of giants who’ve come before, and making a significant contribution to the world of academia. This isn’t just another degree; it’s a testament to perseverance and an embodiment of the pursuit of truth.

Exploring the Intellectual Milestone

• A doctorate degree isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s a symbol of intellectual prowess. It signifies the ability to think critically, research diligently, and contribute meaningfully to a specific area of study. It’s the acknowledgment that the holder has not only mastered the existing body of knowledge but has also extended its boundaries. Doctoral graduates are the trailblazers of academia, exploring uncharted territories, and shedding new light on age-old questions. They represent the vanguard of intellectual advancement, and their achievements are nothing short of extraordinary.
• As we delve into crafting congratulatory messages for these academic stars, it’s crucial to understand the significance of their journey. It’s not just a degree; it’s a testament to human potential, intellectual curiosity, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.

Crafting the Perfect Congratulatory Message for PhD or Doctorate Degree

The art of celebrating scholarly success.

Crafting a congratulatory message for a doctoral graduate is an art form in itself. It’s about encapsulating years of hard work and dedication in a few heartfelt words. Imagine your message as a small masterpiece, a miniature painting that captures the essence of their academic journey. Begin with a warm acknowledgment of their achievement, acknowledge the sacrifices they’ve made, and express your pride in their success. Then, add a touch of inspiration, emphasizing the limitless possibilities their doctorate unlocks. This artful blend of appreciation and motivation will create a message that resonates deeply with the recipient.

Personalized Messages for Doctoral Graduates

• “Your doctorate isn’t just a degree; it’s a testament to your unyielding determination and the mark you’re leaving on your field. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement!”
• “I always knew you were destined for greatness. Your doctorate is proof that hard work and passion can truly move mountains. Proud of you!”
• “Your relentless pursuit of knowledge has culminated in this incredible achievement. Now, the world is your oyster, and I can’t wait to see where your brilliance takes you!”
• “To the world, you may be just one person, but to me, you are the world—and now, you’re a world-class scholar too! Heartiest congratulations!”
• “The pursuit of a doctorate isn’t for the faint-hearted, and you’ve not only survived but thrived. Your dedication inspires us all. Well done!”
• “As you stand on this academic summit, remember that the view from here is just the beginning of a breathtaking journey. Congratulations on your doctorate!”
• “Your doctorate isn’t just a degree; it’s a beacon of hope for all who dream of pushing the boundaries of knowledge. You’re an inspiration to us all.”
• “In a world where knowledge is power, you’ve just become a superhero. Your doctorate is your cape—wear it with pride! Congratulations!”
• “From the first day of your doctoral journey to this moment, you’ve shown resilience, brilliance, and unwavering commitment. The sky’s not the limit; it’s just the view. Congratulations!”
• “Your doctorate is more than an academic achievement; it’s a legacy you’re leaving for future generations. Your brilliance knows no bounds. Congratulations on your incredible journey!”

Heartfelt Congratulations Messages

Cheers to doctoral dedication.

• “To your unwavering dedication, late nights, and unrelenting pursuit of knowledge, cheers! Your doctorate is a toast to your incredible journey.”
• “Raising a glass to the late nights, the sacrifices, and the sheer brilliance that brought you to this moment. Congratulations on your well-deserved doctorate!”
• “Your doctorate isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s a testament to your unyielding dedication. Here’s to you and your incredible journey to academic greatness!”
• “From the first day of your doctoral studies to this triumphant moment, your dedication has shone brightly. Cheers to your remarkable achievement!”
• “A toast to your incredible determination, intellectual prowess, and the doctorate that’s a testament to your brilliance. Congratulations!”

Messages Filled with Academic Pride

• “Your doctorate isn’t just a milestone; it’s a badge of honor. Your academic prowess shines like a beacon, lighting the way for future scholars. Proud of you!”
• “As you stand on the academic summit, know that you’re not just carrying a degree; you’re carrying the hopes of generations. Your academic pride is well-deserved!”
• “Your doctorate isn’t just a certificate; it’s a symbol of academic excellence. Your family, friends, and mentors couldn’t be prouder of your remarkable journey.”
• “From the first day of your academic journey, you’ve worn your passion for knowledge like a badge of honor. Your doctorate is the pinnacle of that pride. Congratulations!”
• “In the grand tapestry of academia, your doctorate is a thread of brilliance that enriches us all. Your academic pride is a beacon of inspiration. Well done!”

Funny and Light-hearted Messages

Adding humor to celebrate doctoral glory.

• “Congratulations on officially becoming the ‘Dr.’ in the room! Can we call you for medical advice now, or is it still just for academic emergencies?”
• “They say a PhD is like a marathon, only with more caffeine. Congrats on finishing the world’s longest coffee-fueled race!”
• “Now that you’re a doctor, should we start addressing you as ‘Your Awesomeness’ or ‘Master of Everything’?”
• “You’ve got a doctorate now, which means you’re basically a real-life superhero. Do you have a special signal for when you’re needed?”
• “Your doctorate proves you’re officially a genius. Or at least really good at faking it convincingly. Either way, well done!”

Celebrating with Laughter and Wit

• “Congratulations! You’ve successfully outwitted the academic challenges and emerged victorious. Now, can you explain your thesis to us in 10 words or less?”
• “Your doctorate is like a golden ticket to the ‘Smartest People’ club. Don’t forget us mere mortals when you’re famous!”
• “I hear doctors have excellent handwriting. Can you write me a prescription for more celebrations and laughter?”
• “Your doctorate is proof that you can endure endless coffee, late nights, and complex research—no superpowers required (we think).”
• “With your doctorate, you’ve earned the right to be the ‘I told you so’ person in every intellectual argument. We’ll prepare our concession speeches.”

Inspirational Messages

Doctoral dreams and future aspirations.

• “Your doctorate isn’t just an end; it’s a beginning—a stepping stone to a future filled with even greater achievements. Your dreams are boundless!”
• “As you receive your doctorate, remember that your dreams have no limits. Your journey is an inspiration to all who dare to dream big.”
• “Your doctorate is not just a degree; it’s the first chapter in the story of your extraordinary career. Your aspirations have the power to shape the world.”
• “Every great accomplishment starts with a dream. Your doctorate is proof that dreams can be turned into reality through hard work and determination.”
• “As you hold your doctorate, envision the incredible future ahead. Your journey has only just begun, and your potential is limitless.”

Encouraging Continued Success in Academia

• “Your doctorate is just the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning. Keep pursuing knowledge and let curiosity be your guiding star.”
• “With your doctorate, you’ve unlocked the doors to academia. Keep pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and inspiring future scholars.”
• “Your doctorate isn’t the end of the road; it’s the launchpad for your academic career. Keep soaring to new heights, and never stop reaching for the stars.”
• “As a doctor, you have the power to mentor and inspire the next generation of scholars. Your influence in academia will be profound.”
• “Your doctorate is a testament to your intellectual prowess. Continue your journey of discovery, and let your passion for learning guide your path.”

Celebration Ideas and Gifts

Making the doctoral celebration extra special.

• Graduating with a doctorate is a monumental achievement that deserves an equally remarkable celebration. Here are some ideas to make the occasion extra special:
• Virtual Toast: Organize a virtual toast with friends and family from around the world. Raise your glasses to the graduate and share stories and laughter.
• Themed Party: Host a party with a theme related to the graduate’s field of study. It’s a fun way to incorporate their academic journey into the celebration.
• Surprise Video Messages: Collect video messages from friends, family, and mentors congratulating the graduate. Compile them into a heartfelt video surprise.
• Customized Cake: Order a cake designed with a symbol or theme related to the graduate’s area of expertise. It’s a delicious way to celebrate their achievements.
• Memory Lane: Create a photo album or digital presentation that showcases memorable moments from their academic journey, from the first day of classes to graduation day.

Unique Gifts to Accompany Your Congratulatory Messages

• Alongside your heartfelt messages, consider these unique gift ideas to make the congratulatory gesture even more meaningful:
• Customized Art: Commission an artist to create a piece of artwork inspired by the graduate’s field of study or thesis. It’s a unique and thoughtful gift.
• Academic Jewelry: Gift them a piece of jewelry, like a necklace or cufflinks, featuring a symbol or element from their academic discipline.
• Professional Portfolio: Invest in a high-quality leather portfolio or briefcase for their future academic or professional endeavors.
• Book Collection: Assemble a collection of books related to their field, including classics and contemporary works that inspire further exploration.
• Online Course Subscription: Enroll them in an online course or workshop that aligns with their academic interests, allowing them to continue their learning journey.
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Viving la viva: how to answer viva questions

Preparing for a PhD viva can be stressful, but you can take steps to ensure you answer the examiners’ questions about your thesis well. Jenny Scoles provides tips

Jenny Scoles

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“Just enjoy the viva,” they say. Ha! “Enjoyment” was not what came to mind when thinking about my PhD viva. But I knew it was my only chance to speak to people who had read my thesis and, unlike my long-suffering family and friends, were genuinely curious about why I didn’t use NVivo and why I hadn’t referenced the original citation on page 243. So, when it came to prepping for mine a few years ago (I submitted it in September and my viva wasn’t until January, so I had a decent amount of time to prepare and find spelling mistakes), I made sure I was as ready as I could be.

I found a lot of online viva  resources  and  blog posts  that provided helpful lists of possible questions you may be asked to help you prepare your answers. However, what I found most helpful were the tips from my supervisors during my mock viva (tip one: have a mock viva with your supervisors). Specifically, they talked about how I should answer the examiners’ questions, not necessarily what to say. 

Signpost your answers

Examiners will undoubtedly ask you, in so many words: “What is your original contribution to knowledge?” As with all replies, keep your answer clear; don’t make things too complicated. Structure the points you want to make so you can signpost the examiner to your main thesis contributions, just as you would have in your written conclusion. For example, I said: “My thesis makes three original contributions to knowledge: firstly, a theoretical contribution, secondly, a methodological contribution, and thirdly, a pedagogical/practical contribution,” and kept to a few sentences for each of the three points.

It’s a game of stamina

At the beginning of the viva, i t ’ s easy  to want to just keep talking through nerves or worry that you want to show off everything at once. My viva was only an hour and a half, but I’ve heard of some lasting more than five hours – it just depends on the examiners, and what emerges on the day. Have faith that, when answering the first few questions, you don’t have to reel off your whole thesis there and then. Take your time; it’s an exhausting few hours. I hit the wall after an hour as I’d begun to relax into it and my adrenaline dropped (I did a few over-loud sighs without realising). So, pace yourself. If you are worried that you have not answered their question, you can politely ask if the examiners would like you to expand on what you’ve said further.

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Although it’s a defence of your thesis, don’t come across as defensive

This is a hugely useful distinction that I was made aware of. The examiners are there to critically pick apart your thesis, probing why you did certain things and not others. Yet this thesis is your baby, and no one but you can say your baby isn’t perfect. So your hackles rise and, perhaps without realising it, the tone or manner in which you reply could come across as too defensive and it could make the examiners feel defensive, too. They’re only human, after all. You can still defend your reasons politely but firmly. “That’s a really interesting way of looking at it, but I found, for my study, it was more helpful to look at it this way” is a good response.

Don’t know the answer? Sometimes the examiners may ask you something that you have not even thought about, let alone prepared for. At this point, have a few stock phrases up your sleeve to give yourself time to mull things over. The following are effective:

• Well, now that I think about it like that…
• I’m only starting to see this now…
• That’s a very good point, I’d like to look at this issue in more detail.

Practise speaking your answers aloud to get used to your voice; the best prep I did was with a colleague who had her viva at a similar time to me. We scheduled weekly Skype sessions in the weeks before and practised asking each other unseen questions. This helped me get used to hearing my own voice and let me play with how I could verbalise concepts and ideas that I had only, up until then, put into writing and had lived in my head.

Prepare questions of your own

As in an interview, it looks professional if you have a few questions prepared for the examiners for the “any questions?” part at the end. For example, you could ask their thoughts on where you could publish future journal articles from your PhD. Or how a particular concept you developed fits with their own work (brownie points for having read the examiners’ latest papers).

And, finally, two tips from me after having survived

Simplify the notes you take in with you: I was allowed to take in as many notes, thesis drafts, books and lucky mascots as I wanted. However, if you are relying too much on your answers coming from reading your notes, the flow of conversation will falter, and you may end up getting into a bit of a sweat. As part of the revision process, I made colourful mind maps that summarised the main points I wanted to make for each potential question. I took these into the viva and laid them out in front of me, which meant I could flick my eyes to them if I my mind went blank.

Enjoy it…or just get through it 

It’s easy to say: “Just enjoy your viva!” once you’re out the other side. So, if you enjoy it, that’s a bonus! If not, well done for having got to that point in the first place and, whatever happens, reward yourself handsomely at the end.

Jenny Scoles is an academic developer (learning and teaching enhancement) at the University of Edinburgh.

This post was originally published on  theofficedog blog and the University of Edinburgh's Teaching Matters blog.

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How to survive a PhD viva: 17 top tips

Just handed in your PhD thesis? Now it’s time to plan for the next hurdle: a viva. Academics offer their advice on how to best prepare

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H anding in your PhD thesis is a massive achievement – but it’s not the end of the journey for doctoral students. Once you’ve submitted, you’ll need to prepare for the next intellectually-gruelling hurdle: a viva.

This oral examination is a chance for students to discuss their work with experts. Its formal purpose is to ensure that there’s no plagiarism involved, and that the student understands and can explain their thesis. It involves lots of penetrating questions, conceptually complex debates and is infamously terrifying.

How can PhD students best prepare? We asked a number of academics and recent survivors for their tips.

Preparing for the viva

1) Check your institution’s policies and practices

Institutional policies and practices vary. Find out who will attend your viva (eg will a supervisor attend, will there be an independent chair?) and what their roles are. Penny Tinkler and Carolyn Jackson, authors of The Doctoral Examination process: A Handbook for Students, Examiners and Supervisors

2) Re-read your thesis – and keep up-to-date with research

Don’t underestimate the amount of time the examiners will have spent reading and thinking about your thesis – however, you should remember that you are still likely to be the “expert in the room” on this particular topic. Check to see if any relevant recent papers have emerged since submitting the thesis and, if so, read these. Dianne Berry, dean of postgraduate research studies, University of Reading

3) As an examiner, you tend to stick to things you’re an expert in when driving the questioning

Your viva panel will consist of an external expertise in your subject area and an internal which may be in a subject field associated or directly related to yours. The external examiner is the one who mainly calls and fires all the shots and so it’s pretty important to have a knowledge of their published contributions, especially those that are related to your thesis in any way. Dr Bhavik Anil Patel, senior lecturer in physical and analytical chemistry

4) Think about what you will or won’t defend

Consider carefully what you will defend to the hilt in the viva, and what you are prepared to concede. It’s important to defend your claims about the originality of the thesis and its contribution to knowledge. However, no research is perfect, and showing that you have considered what could have been done differently, or even better, is not a bad thing. Penny Tinkler and Carolyn Jackson, authors of The Doctoral Examination process: A Handbook for Students, Examiners and Supervisors

5) Draw up lists of possible questions – especially ones you dread

I collected questions from a bunch of different places ( listed here ) which I then tailored to my PhD. Somebody I worked with also recommended that I put together my 10 nightmare questions. I found this really useful, by writing down and thinking about my dreaded questions, they were no longer so bad – it was almost as if I’d faced the beast.

Generally speaking, I was able to predict the questions that I was asked. There were a couple that were unexpected but they were either conceptual points or based on literature that I just didn’t know. Richard Budd, research assistant, University of Bristol who sat his viva in summer 2014 and has blogged about the experience

6) It’s not like sitting at a laptop where you can edit a sentence as you go along

By the time you finish your PhD you’ll know your thesis inside out. One of the things you won’t be as practised at is talking about it. When I was preparing for my viva, I practised vocalising answers. It’s not a case of needing to learn to answers verbatim – this would only work as a technique if you could guarantee the exact way your examiner will ask a question – but it is about thinking about how you will articulate certain things. A viva isn’t like sitting at a laptop where you can edit a sentence as you go along. Richard Budd, research assistant, University of Bristol who sat his viva in summer 2014 and has blogged about the experience

7) Bring a printed copy that is exactly the same as that of your examiners

Ensure you and your supervisor have a printed copy that is exactly the same as that of your examiners (specifically the same pagination). Mark with tabs the key sections and highlight for reference important quotes and points you might want to refer to. If you have some key diagrams it may help to have these printed larger on A4 sheets that can be used in a discussion.

There is a chance, albeit slim, that an examiner will wish to see some piece of experimental data, software, or other supporting evidence. Have this all neatly archived and accessible. You can do this after submission. Anthony Finkelstein, dean of the UCL faculty of engineering sciences who has blogged about surviving vivas

During the viva

8) Get off to a good start

Give a few detailed answers in the opening 15 minutes, demonstrating knowledge, describing your thinking and working - then the examiners are likely to relax into the viva. If the first few answers are short and non-specific, not demonstrating knowledge, this can begin to raise concerns, and that can set the tone for the whole viva. This is avoidable. Rowena Murray, author of How to Survive Your Viva: Defending a Thesis in an Oral Examination

9) Prepare for the icebreaker

Every viva opens with that dreaded icebreaker that is supposed to break you in gently but often seems to be the thing that gets students into a pickle. It’s so basic, students almost forget about it. Most often this would be to give a five to 10 minute introduction to your work and your key findings. This is such a common question that not preparing for it would be silly. Dr Bhavik Anil Patel, senior lecturer in physical and analytical chemistry

10) Silence doesn’t mean bad news

Don’t assume that you will be given any indication of the outcome at the start of the viva. The examiners may or may not offer comments on the thesis at this stage and candidates should not interpret a lack of comments at this point as a negative sign. In some cases institutional policy prohibits it. Penny Tinkler and Carolyn Jackson, authors of The Doctoral Examination process: A Handbook for Students, Examiners and Supervisors

11) Don’t point out your own weaknesses

Avoid shooting yourself in the foot by highlighting the weaknesses in the thesis by being overly humble (eg “I didn’t think this would be an acceptable piece of research given the way I handled x or y”) or by saying what you “failed to achieve” or “did not manage to carry out in a robust manner” etc. Leave that to the examiners to pick up in their reading, they don’t need help. Dr Mariana Bogdanova, lecturer in management, Queen’s University Belfast

12) Don’t talk like a politician There’s a danger of trying to over-prepare. Don’t learn answers off by heart – it removes the spontaneity and is obvious to examiners. If a student has pre-prepared answers they become a bit like politicians, answering questions they weren’t asked rather than the ones they were. I have come across mixed views on mock vivas. Some people really like them – and they can settle nerves – but other times it can remove spontaneity and steal your thunder. Jerry Wellington, head of research degrees at University of Sheffield and author of Succeeding with Your Doctorate

13) You may need to move from friendly questions to complex debates

Vivas can appear friendly and then suddenly go very conceptually complex. The language used is an alternation between accessible normal language and really specialised arguments. The student needs to be able to move orally between the two. Gina Wisker, professor of higher education and contemporary literature at Brighton University

14) If things get on top of you, use the excuse of having a look at the thesis

Make sure that before the viva you get plenty of sleep, eat properly and de-stress. If things get too much when you’re in there, use the excuse of having to look something up in your thesis. You could also pause and say “Can I write that down for a moment?” Stall for time until you get yourself back together again. Gina Wisker, professor of higher education and contemporary literature at Brighton University

15) Focus on your contribution

One of the most important things that the examiners will be looking for in your thesis, is the “contribution to knowledge”. It is the contribution which makes your work doctoral level. Be sure that you understand exactly what your contribution is, and that you are able to express and explain it clearly and concisely.

Write it down in a paragraph. Discuss it with you supervisor and fellow students. Make sure that you can relate your contribution to other work in your field and that you are able to explain how your work is different. Peter Smith, author of The PhD Viva

16) Expect your viva to last between one and three hours

Students frequently ask how long the viva is likely to be. Obviously they vary. Discipline differences are important. Our research suggests that most natural and applied sciences vivas were completed in one to three hours, whereas arts, humanities and social science vivas were typically less than two hours long. In the natural and applied sciences 43% of vivas lasted two hours or less, compared to 83% in arts, humanities and social sciences. Penny Tinkler and Carolyn Jackson, authors of The Doctoral Examination Process: A Handbook for S tudents, Examiners and Supervisors

17) Enjoy it

The best advice I ever got was “Try to enjoy it”. It seemed ludicrous at the time, but I actually found myself really getting into the discussion as the viva went on. It’s one of the earliest chances you get to talk to someone who not only informed your research (ideally) but is also conversant with your own. It’s a great chance to explore the contours of your research – treat it as such, and it doesn’t seem quite so daunting. Michael James Heron, school of computing science and digital media, Robert Gordon University

• Share any advice you have in the comments below.

Enter the Guardian university awards 2015 and join the higher education network for more comment, analysis and job opportunities, direct to your inbox. Follow us on Twitter @gdnhighered .

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‘Congratulations, Dr!’: surviving and thriving in your viva

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T1 - ‘Congratulations, Dr!’

T2 - surviving and thriving in your viva

AU - Aquino, Maria Raisa Jessica (Ryc)

AU - Wilson, Claire

PY - 2019/1/21

Y1 - 2019/1/21

N2 - As a UK-based PhD student, it will come as no surprise that upon submitting your PhD thesis, you will be required to undertake a viva voce (viva) or oral examination of your research. Despite knowing that this is an inevitable part of the PhD process, the viva can feel mysterious and is often left for discussion towards the end of your project (Morley, Leonard & David, 2003). Anecdotes from those who have completed a viva may describe dispiriting experiences, which can negatively impact your own confidence (Carter & Whittaker, 2009; Grabbe, 2003; Wallace, 2003). Although each viva is unique, in this article we aim to demystify the process through sharing our learning from our viva experiences and using relevant literature. Further, we aim to promote the view that the viva should be considered an exciting opportunity to discuss your work. To do this, the article will outline how to prepare for the day, what might happen during the viva and what might be expected of you afterwards.

AB - As a UK-based PhD student, it will come as no surprise that upon submitting your PhD thesis, you will be required to undertake a viva voce (viva) or oral examination of your research. Despite knowing that this is an inevitable part of the PhD process, the viva can feel mysterious and is often left for discussion towards the end of your project (Morley, Leonard & David, 2003). Anecdotes from those who have completed a viva may describe dispiriting experiences, which can negatively impact your own confidence (Carter & Whittaker, 2009; Grabbe, 2003; Wallace, 2003). Although each viva is unique, in this article we aim to demystify the process through sharing our learning from our viva experiences and using relevant literature. Further, we aim to promote the view that the viva should be considered an exciting opportunity to discuss your work. To do this, the article will outline how to prepare for the day, what might happen during the viva and what might be expected of you afterwards.

M3 - Chapter

BT - A Guide for Psychology Postgraduates

A2 - Walton, Holly

A2 - Aquino, Maria Raisa Jessica (Ryc)

A2 - Talbot, Catherine V.

A2 - Melia, Claire

PB - The British Psychological Society

• PhD Viva Voces – A Complete Guide
• Doing a PhD
• A PhD viva involves defending your thesis in an oral examination with at least two examiners.
• The aim of a PhD viva is to confirm that the work is your own , that you have a deep understanding of your project and, overall, that you are a competent researcher .
• There are no standard durations, but they usually range from one to three hours, with most lasting approximately two hours .
• There are six outcomes of a PhD viva: (1) pass without corrections (2) pass subject to minor corrections, (3) pass subject to major corrections, (4) downgrade to MPhil with no amendments, (5) downgrade to MPhil subject to amendments, (6) immediate fail.
• Almost all students who sit their viva pass it, with the most common outcome being ‘(2) – pass subject to minor corrections’.

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. It is the period in which a student’s knowledge and work are evaluated by independent examiners.

In order to assess the student and their work around their research question, a viva sets out to determine:

• you understand the ideas and theories that you have put forward,
• you can answer questions about elements of your work that the examiners have questions about,
• you understand the broader research in your field and how your work contributes to this,
• you are aware of the limitations of your work and understand how it can be developed further,
• your work makes an original contribution, is your own and has not been plagiarised.

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.

Who Will Attend a Viva?

In the UK, at least two examiners must take part in all vivas. Although you could have more than two examiners, most will not in an attempt to facilitate a smoother questioning process.

One of the two examiners will be internal, i.e. from your university, and the other will be external, i.e. from another university. Regardless, both will be knowledgeable in your research field and have read your thesis beforehand.

In addition to your two examiners, two other people may be present. The first is a chairperson. This is an individual who will be responsible for monitoring the interview and for ensuring proper conduct is followed at all times. The need for an external chairperson will vary between universities, as one of the examiners can also take on this role. The second is your supervisor, whose attendance is decided upon by you in agreement with your examiners. If your supervisor attends, they are prohibited from asking questions or from influencing the outcome of the viva.

To avoid any misunderstandings, we have summarised the above in a table:

Note: In some countries, such as in the United States, a viva is known as a ‘PhD defense’ and is performed publicly in front of a panel or board of examiners and an open audience. In these situations, the student presents their work in the form of a lecture and then faces questions from the examiners and audience which almost acts as a critical appraisal.

How Long Does a Viva Last?

Since all universities have different guidelines , and since all PhDs are unique, there are no standard durations. Typically, however, the duration ranges from one to three hours, with most lasting approximately two hours.

Your examiners will also influence the duration of your viva as some will favour a lengthy discussion, while others may not. Usually, your university will consult your examiners in advance and notify you of the likely duration closer to the day of your viva.

What Happens During a Viva?

Regardless of the subject area, all PhD vivas follow the same examination process format as below.

Introductions

You will introduce yourselves to each other, with the internal examiner normally introducing the external examiner. If an external chairperson is present, they too are introduced; otherwise, this role will be assumed by one of the examiners.

Procedure Explained

After the introductions, the appointed chair will explain the viva process. Although it should already be known to everyone, it will be repeated to ensure the viva remains on track during the forthcoming discussion.

Warm-Up Questions

The examiners will then begin the questioning process. This usually starts with a few simple opening questions, such as asking you to summarise your PhD thesis and what motivated you to carry out the research project.

In-Depth Questions

The viva questions will then naturally increase in difficulty as the examiners go further into the details of your thesis. These may include questions such as “What was the most critical decision you made when determining your research methodology ?”, “Do your findings agree with the current published work?” and “How do your findings impact existing theories or literature? ”. In addition to asking open-ended questions, they will also ask specific questions about the methodology, results and analysis on which your thesis is based.

Closing the Viva

Once the examiners are satisfied that they have thoroughly evaluated your knowledge and thesis, they will invite you to ask any questions you may have, and then bring the oral examination to a close.

What Happens After the Viva?

Once your viva has officially ended, your examiners will ask you to leave the room so that they can discuss your performance. Once a mutual agreement has been reached, which can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, you will be invited back inside and informed of your outcome.

PhD Viva Outcomes

There are six possible outcomes to a viva:

• Immediate award of degree: A rare recommendation – congratulations, you are one of the few people who completely satisfied your examiners the first time around. You do not have to do anything further at this point.
• Minor amendments required: The most common recommendation – you obtain a pass on the condition that you make a number of minor amendments to your thesis, such as clarifying certain points and correcting grammatical errors. The time you have to make these changes depends on the number of them, but is usually one to six months.
• Major amendments required: A somewhat uncommon recommendation – you are requested to make major amendments to your thesis, ranging from further research to collecting more data or rewriting entire sections. Again, the time you have to complete this will depend on the number of changes required, but will usually be six months to one year. You will be awarded your degree once your amended thesis has been reviewed and accepted.
• Immediate award of MPhil: An uncommon recommendation – your examiners believe your thesis does not meet the standard for a doctoral degree but meets the standard for an MPhil (Master of Philosophy), a lower Master’s degree.
• Amendments required for MPhil: A rare recommendation – your examiners believe your thesis does not meet the standard for a doctoral degree, but with several amendments will meet the standard for an MPhil.
• Immediate fail: A very rare recommendation – you are given an immediate fail without the ability to resubmit and without entitlement to an MPhil.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

What Is the Pass Rate for Vivas?

Based on an  analysis of 26,076 PhD students  who took their viva exam between 2006 and 2017, the PhD viva pass rate in the UK is 96%; of those who passed, about 80% were required to make minor amendments to their thesis. The reason for this high pass rate is that supervisors will only put their students forward for a viva once they confidently believe they are ready for it. As a result, most candidates who sit a viva are already well-versed in their PhD topic before they even start preparing for the exam.

How Do I Arrange a Viva?

Your viva will be arranged either by the examiners or by the chairperson. The viva will be arranged at least one to two months after you have submitted your thesis and will arrange a viva date and venue that is suitable for all participants.

Can I Choose My Examiners?

At most universities, you and your supervisor will choose the internal and external examiners yourselves. This is because the examiners must have extensive knowledge of the thesis topic in order to be able to examine you and, as the author of the thesis in question, who else could better determine who they might be than you and your supervisor. The internal examiner is usually quite easy to find given they will be from your institution, but the external examiner may end up being your second or third preference depending on availability.

Can I Take Notes Into a Viva?

A viva is about testing your competence, not your memory. As such, you are allowed to take notes and other supporting material in with you. However, keep in mind that your examiners will not be overly impressed if you constantly have to refer to your notes to answer each question. Because of this, many students prefer to take an annotated copy of their thesis, with important points already highlighted and key chapters marked with post-it notes.

In addition to an annotated copy of a thesis, some students also take:

• a list of questions they would like to ask the examiners,
• notes that were created during their preparation,
• a list of minor corrections they have already identified from their viva prep work.

How Do I Prepare for a PhD Viva?

There are several ways to prepare for a PhD viva, one of the most effective being a mock viva voce examination . This allows you to familiarise yourself with the type of viva questions you will be asked and identify any weak areas you need to improve. They also give you the opportunity to practise without the pressure, giving you more time to think about your answers which will help to make sure that you know your thesis inside out. However, a mock viva exam is just one of many methods available to you – some of the other viva preparation methods can be found on our “ How to Prepare for a PhD Viva ” page.

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PhD congratulations messages and quotes for card, graduation, Instagram

Achieving a PhD degree is an achievement for many. Many people find it hard to complete their degree in time because of other commitments in life. Anyone that gets to graduate and earn the doctorate title is a star that deserves PhD congratulations messages and plenty of gifts.

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Sweet phd congratulations messages, congratulations on your phd for instagram, phd graduation wishes.

A short congratulations for a PhD graduate will only take a few minutes of your time. Compose a sweet message, reminding them of how hardworking they are and wishing them the best. The sky is the limit for many, and if your friend or family attained that honour under challenging circumstances, your message would be an encouragement for many not to give up.

PhD congratulations messages and quotes

Earning a PhD degree is a big stepping stone towards a brighter future. Congratulate them for achieving the doctorate and becoming a doctor. Here are some of the best messages and quotes:

110+ college graduation captions to celebrate your success

Your brother, sister, son, daughter, or friend deserve a hearty congratulations for your PhD message to achieve their doctorate. You have probably shared their journey as they studied and researched, and it is only fair that you be by their side when they are graduating. Tell them congratulations, doctor, and recognize the effort they put into earning the doctorate.

• After all the hard work you put in, you sure deserve what you have. Congratulations on your PhD bestie.
• You nailed it! Congratulations, doctor, on your hard-earned doctoral degree.
• Congratulations to you on becoming a PhD holder! I hope all the struggles are worth it.
• This is great success for you and your family. Now you can soar higher than ever.
• Best wishes for the future. Your PhD is only one of the many goals that you are set to achieve.
• You have proved again how dedicated and strong-willed you are. Congratulations on your new target, doc.
• Evidently, the years of hard work and dedication has finally resulted in the most significant fruit you have ever wanted, baby. Many congratulations on your degree.
• Congratulation on the degree, my son. I wish you all the love and success in life ahead!
• I am so happy, my best friend, that your years of hard work has finally paid off in the best way possible. Best wishes on your PhD degree.
• You have made us proud every day with everything you have achieved so far. It's a pleasure to have a daughter like you. Congrats on your great success!
• Well done, doctor. I wish you more success and prosperity in the days to come.
• I wish that all the goals that you have set become more attainable, especially now that the biggest dream of your life has already come true. Best wishes on your achievements!
• You have proven to many that all things are possible despite one’s circumstances.
• Wishing you the best in your future endeavours. The doctorate is only one among many wins.
• Congratulations sister! Being the first in the family to earn a PhD is sure a one-of-a-kind achievement.
• Thank you for proving once again how strong and dedicated you are when it comes to achieving your goals. Congratulations on your doctorate.

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• I love you so much, mom. Congratulations on your degree. I, too, wish to achieve half of what you have achieved.
• Congratulations on achieving your doctorate. Please receive our warm greetings as a family.
• Now that you have completed such a milestone, I pray you find happiness and satisfaction in life as well.
• We always knew the wonderful person you are behind your geeky glasses. I am so happy you made it to the top. Many congrats on your PhD degree!
• Success was always obliged to come before you. With the right attitude and determination of all those years!
• A hearty congratulations for getting the doctor title finally. Kudos to the hard work you put in!
• Hard work always pays off! A quote has proven true by you today, doctor.
• You are truly inspirational. The hard work and efforts you put into your endeavours are beyond excellent. Congratulations on another success to you!
• A doctorate comes with a great deal of respect from everybody, the respect you have rightfully earned. Congratulations!
• It’s a success for everyone who supported you in your days of hard work. Congratulations to you and your family and friends!
• Who would have thought that you would have a PhD at such a young age? Congratulation on such a significant success.
• Congratulations on your PhD baby. Your hardship and efforts have finally paid you off with a doctorate in your hand.
• Seeing you burn the midnight oil to complete your work while being a wholesome mother was fulfilling. Love you so much.
• You have never been prideful but modest in your achievements. I am so proud of you, my son. Congratulations.
• Many congrats on your PhD degree. Not many have achieved what you have at such a young age.

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Post your friend on social media and share how proud you are of their achievement by writing lovely doctorate congratulations texts beneath their pictures. It is a flex to have friends who are academic giants and intelligent.

• Years of hard work and dedication has finally resulted in the most significant fruit you have ever wanted, son.
• I cannot wait to see you change the world with the knowledge you gained at school. Many congratulations on your PhD degree!
• Congratulation on the degree, my baby. I wish you all the love and success in life ahead!
• You have worked hard, and now you can enjoy the fruits. Congratulations on your doctorate.
• A PhD is not an easy task at all. It takes blood, sweat and a lot of coffee. Congratulations, brother, you made it.
• It’s probably the best day of your life. Celebrate with a bash doctor. You’ve proved yourself worthy of the title.
• This is just the beginning. Your flight of success has taken off, and guess what? You're the pilot. You're going to take yourself to places!
• Being honoured with the highest degree is an honour in itself. Congratulations, doctor, on your success.
• Perseverance is one key that has landed you in such a remarkable position of attaining your PhD degree. Many congrats!
• I wish you all the best for all your future endeavours and that you achieve all the more success after your PhD.
• Congratulations, Dr Nerd, on your success. We always knew that you are going to make it to the top.
• Congratulations on this outstanding feat. Well done, son. You couldn’t have made me any prouder.
• Congratulations doctor. You are indeed the sweetest and the most handsome doctor, and I'm proud to be your sister.
• Our faculty and staff are incredibly proud of our young doctorates who have accomplished this task with their hard work. Please enjoy your fruits.
• Congratulations on your achievement. I wish you a successful and bright life ahead.
• Congratulations. Your dissertation was impeccable. Best wishes.
• Congratulations. Your academic publications reveal a sharp intellect and an observant nature. Well done.
• Congratulations dear. You have worked so hard; it is time for you to enjoy the efforts of your labour.
• Your area of specialization is not pursued by many. You are a gem in the community.

Motivational bio for Telegram: 100+ best and creative ideas

• You have shown remarkable courage and brilliance. We wish you all luck and success in life.
• Congratulations on making a mark on your own steam. No small feat indeed. Blessings.
• Congratulations on being the most intellectual of us all. I never could manage to study so much. But you are different. You have done it.
• Many see the results, but not the hard work, sleepless, anxiety-full nights that you must have put in. Congratulations are in order, doc.
• You walked on the journey. Congratulations on your hard work and zeal for success!
• We have a doctor in the family! We are so proud of you, doc.
• Your success begins when you start believing in it. Congratulations on earning your PhD and believing in yourself!
• Congratulations doctor. Your motivation and optimism is an inspiration to many.
• Hearty congratulations from us, your friends. Stay the same. Keep flying and attaining greater heights!

Unique bio for Instagram for girls to show attitude, class, and style

Sending people cards is one of the oldest ways of saying that you remember your friends and recognize their achievement. Buy that card today and send warm graduation greetings.

• Keep that sharp brain behind thick glasses ticking with newer ways for making the world more aware. Congratulations and best wishes.
• Best wishes for this important milestone in your life and career. May there be many more to come.
• Congratulations on never losing faith in yourself and always believing in yourself and your research. Good luck.
• Head up, chin up and always proud to be a girl. See what places your confidence has taken you. So proud of you.
• Congratulations on receiving your hard-earned doctoral degree. Best wishes for the future.
• Many congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment. Not many start and complete their doctorate degrees without giving up.
• I can only imagine how excited you are that you have earned this degree. Congratulations, doc.
• It has been a pleasure watching you successfully present your dissertation. Congratulations on your graduation.
• Good things come to those who wait for them, and you sure have witnessed that. Congratulations, pal!
• You were always the most dedicated and disciplined student I have ever come across. Congratulations on what you have achieved.
• You are allowed to take a break now. You have worked too hard. Many congratulations on your degree.
• Best wishes on your PhD degree. This is an achievement that everyone is proud of.
• You have made us proud every day with everything you have achieved so far. Please come and celebrate with us as you shine in your gown.
• It’s a pleasure to have a daughter like you. Congrats on your success! You are now a doctor!
• I cannot imagine that my baby is now a whole doctor. Congratulations on your PhD, son.
• I wish that all the goals that you have set become more attainable now since the biggest dream of your life has already come true. Congrats.
• Please be happy and rejoice in hitting your target. Best wishes on your achievements!
• Congratulations, my lovely sister. I wish you all the best for all your future endeavours and that you achieve all the more success after your PhD.
• Today will always be a special day for you. Congratulations and scale higher heights.

Savage birthday wishes for a best friend (funny and insulting ideas)

• We always knew the intellectual person you are behind your geeky glasses. Congratulations, doctor!
• I am so happy you made it to the top. Many congrats on your PhD degree! You are a winner.
• You have always been a high achiever since elementary. I am so proud of you, my daughter.
• Success was always obliged to come before you, with the right attitude and determination of all those years.
• I wish society could produce many more like you. You are truly inspirational. Congratulations on your PhD, sir.
• The great hard work and efforts you put into your endeavours are beyond excellent. Congratulations on another success to you!
• A doctorate comes with a great deal of admiration from everybody. You are our hero.
• You have indeed worked for the respect that you have rightfully earned. Congratulations on your doctorate.
• We are grateful to God for the great victory He has bestowed upon you this day. Congratulations.
• It's a success for everyone who offered you great support in your days of hard work. So, congratulations to you on your achievement.
• We take great pride in the far you have come and we have faith in the far you will go. Congrats on the big milestone you have achieved this day.

50+ heart-touching birthday wishes for teachers from students

PhD congratulations cards and messages are an excellent way of making your friend who just got their doctorate feel happy about what they have. Share that lovely message and brighten their day. You can even throw them a little party to celebrate the day with them. Graduating with a PhD is a milestone for many.

Tuko.co.ke published a post about inspiring WhatsApp status to uplift your lives. They can also motivate you to keep the fire burning in whatever you are doing in life.

The status comes in handy if you seeking to find mental solutions to your problems. Overall, the statuses will help you to find a balance in life, especially between bad and good life instances.

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Gladys Mokeira Obiero (Lifestyle writer) Gladys is a content creator who has worked with Tuko since 2018, where she won the Best Writer Award in 2022. She previously held other positions, including an editing role at Kami.com.ph, Yen.com.gh, and Legit.ng. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Project Planning and Management. In 2023, Gladys finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. Email: [email protected]

Five top tips to pass your PhD viva

Research assistant Kirsty Devaney , who successfully completed her doctorate , provides five invaluable pieces of advice on passing the PhD viva.

First thing's first...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.

The viva takes place after you have completed your thesis and sees these experts ask you various questions to ensure you understand your work and have become an expert in your field.

Now, over to Kirsty…

1). Make your own learning space

"It's important on the lead up to the viva voce to have a space that's designated for your preparations. This could be at your university, in a coffee shop or at home.

"For instance, I took over my dining room table for a good two months. I had all of my resources there - my books, my thesis and lots of post-it notes."

2). Take some time away from your thesis

"I had a three-month wait in between submitting my thesis and sitting my viva, but I knew I couldn’t spend that time prepping as it would be far too intense. I took a full month off from revising and returned with a clear idea of what I needed to do."

3). Make a plan of action

"A month before my viva, I made a list of things I wanted to achieve before the day.

"One was to read through my thesis in full three times. I also committed to tabbing all of the important chapters, diagrams and data in my thesis, so I could refer to them quickly if needed.

"I then compiled a series of questions which I thought might come up in the viva and put them all into a pot. Once I’d got enough questions, I’d ask my husband to pull out one of the pieces of paper at random and ask me the question. 

"Some days I would also catch up on any recent literature I may have missed that could be relevant.

"All of this proved incredibly useful for when my viva arrived."

4). Know your examiners

"When you’re close to completing your doctorate, you might have a conversation with your supervisors about the people in the field who might be external examiners.

"Once you know who they are going to be, it’s really important to get to know their research, what their research interests are and what methodologies they use."

5). Become the expert

"BCU does a mock viva, which I found incredibly helpful as it meant I could work on any difficulties I faced.

"One issue that arose from my mock was that I had to become a lot more confident and assertive about my research and my findings.

"When you walk into the room to do your viva, you are making the leap from being a student to having the certainty of an expert."

How scary was the PhD viva?

Kirsty, who also runs the successful Young Composers Project , says it’s important not to be too fearful of the examiners.

"They are there to challenge you, but they’re not trying to be mean for the sake of it,” she explains. “They want to make sure you know your stuff and haven’t just plagiarised the material.

"However, it’s important to breathe and take your time – they’re not expecting rapid-fire responses."

Kirsty credits the support of the  School of Education and Social Work  for getting her through her PhD.

"They really got it right,” she says. "They have been incredibly supportive. I never felt alone."

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5 tips for passing your PhD viva

Every Doctoral researcher is expected to defend their thesis through an oral test - so discover how to prepare for your PhD viva and ensure you make a good impression on the examiners

What is a PhD viva?

A viva voce is an oral test, which literally translated means 'with the living voice'. It's a focused discussion giving you the opportunity to present your PhD thesis and then defend it in front of a panel of academic experts.

1. Understand what's expected of you

Traditionally, your thesis would always be discussed in person, with the interview style viva exam overseen by at least two (internal and external) examiners. Afterwards, they would provide you with a joint written report detailing any corrections that need to be made.

However, following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the online PhD viva has become more commonplace with this examination more likely to take place via Microsoft Teams, Skype or Zoom.

The virtual experience will still typically follow the same format, but you'll be briefed in advance about the arrangements and any technical aspects to bear in mind. You can prepare for an online PhD viva by reading our video interview tips .

The chair of the viva is usually the internal examiner, although it can be an independent person. If you and the examiners agree, your PhD supervisor can also be present.

The examiners' main objective is to ascertain that you've written your own thesis, so if you have and are ready to talk through how you completed it, there's no need to panic. You may even enjoy the viva voce test.

In addition to assessing your thesis, the examiners are also there to assist you in deciding how and where this research might be published.

There are various results between a 'pass' and 'fail' but it's very rare to slip up at this point of a PhD. Most Doctorate awards will be made upon the condition that a number of minor corrections are made, with re-submission requests far less common.

However, while the pass rate is high, the viva exam itself can still be intellectually demanding. This is because you'll be debating issues that are conceptually complex, so preparation is crucial to your success.

At the end of it, whatever the outcome, be prepared to take on board any advice, as the examiners are there to help you improve your argument or the presentation of your thesis.

2. Know your thesis inside out

While you can be sure this isn't a memory test - as you're fine bringing notes and a copy of your thesis with you to the PhD viva - it's still important to gain a good understanding of what you've written and be knowledge about your field of study.

You'll need to think carefully about where this original piece of work would be placed in the context of the wider body of research carried out in this field. Questions will surely be asked about this, as well as whether the project could possibly be developed further through any future research.

As you'll be explaining parts of the document to the examiners (who'll also have a digital or physical copy), make sure the pagination is the same in your version as the one they're looking at to avoid any issues regarding everybody being on the same page.

If you get stuck at any point during the viva exam, you can use looking at the thesis as an excuse to re-focus and gather your thoughts.

3. Anticipate the viva questions

The examiners will have prepared a series of questions for you to answer at the viva voce, but this is nothing to get too concerned about. The questions will all be based on your thesis - what it's about, what you did and what you found out - and why this matters, in relation to your field of study.

So when getting ready for the viva, consider the types of questions you're likely to be asked, including:

• What original contribution has your thesis made to this field of study?
• Explain the main research questions you were hoping to address.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of your thesis?
• If you had to start the thesis again, what would you do differently?
• If funding was no object, describe how you'd follow on from this project.
• What are your plans for the future?

It can be helpful to practise your answers beforehand, ideally vocalising them by arranging a mock mini viva - although, as you aren't restricted in terms of referring to notes in the exam, you can leave room for spontaneity, and you don't need to learn it all off by heart. If your viva is being held online, you can ensure any technical issues are identified before the day by having a run through with your supervisor or a friend.

While it may sound simple, stick to answering the questions posed. It's really easy to go off on a tangent and this can open up other lines of enquiry from the examiners - possibly in areas you hadn't expected to be quizzed about.

On the other hand, it's completely fine to bring personality to your reasoning and use stories as a means of describing the learning process you've gone through and the techniques mastered over the last three or four years that have brought you to this point.

4. Learn about your examiners' own work

The senior and well-respected academics who'll be reading your thesis will have their own ideas on conducting PhD standard research. Therefore, it's worth taking a look online at their academic profiles to discover if there's any correlation with the research they've had published and your own work.

From this, you should be able to gain a better idea of their motivations, their possible views on your thesis and the kinds of questions they might wish to discuss after having read through it.

You should research up-to-date theories, read any recent papers on the subject and speak to others who've recently had their own viva exam. Think about how your work differentiates from the research carried out by others in your chosen field.

Prepare to provide any supporting evidence asked of you by the examiners - for example, they may request to see experimental data you mention once the exam is over.

It's also necessary to check the policies and practices in place at your university and be sure of what the roles of the examiners are and how the viva panel will be structured. In many cases, Doctoral students can choose the examiners conducting the PhD viva.

5. Plan towards the viva exam

From the moment you know the date of your viva voce, work backwards and plan the steps you'll need to take before the day itself. Allow enough time to assess and review your work so that as the day approaches, you can focus on the practicalities.

This encompasses everything from making sure you relax, eat and sleep well the day before to arranging transport so you get to the viva on time - if you're attending in person.

An online PhD viva will present its own challenges, so ensure your working space is presentable and you still make an effort in terms of what you'll be wearing.

It's always advisable to adhere to interview etiquette and go with something that's both smart and comfortable. By looking the part, this should get you in the right frame of mind to communicate in a professional manner.

In the build-up, avoid any situations that might make you feel stressed and instead try to adopt a positive attitude, one that results in a genuine eagerness to engage in a debate about the work you've been toiling over for a substantial period of time.

If you're travelling to the examination, be sure to check that you have everything you wish to take with you, including the thesis, plus any notes or other materials that will help support your claims.

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. So, after the polite introductions they'll typically start with an icebreaker to put you at ease and help calm the nerves.

It's meant to be an open and honest conversation about your work, so feel free to politely disagree with the examiners, especially on areas you feel strongly about. Don't forget to use examples from your thesis to back up what you're saying, remembering to be clear and concise.

If you know your way around your thesis and can explain your thinking and way of working, this test shouldn't be a problem. And if you don't know the answer to a specific question - admit it, as it's better to concede your limitations in an area than ramble on and hope they don't notice you're struggling to come up with an explanation. No research is perfect, so it's important to appreciate this during the discussion - but don't be too overcritical about your work either, as that's not your job.

Finally, as the PhD viva can quickly move from a series of friendly questions to those that are more in-depth, take some time to think before answering. Don't worry about any periods of silence from the examiners, as this certainly isn't an indication that you're doing badly.

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• Research toolkit

How to prepare for PhD viva? Get advice from researchers around the world!

Professor dawid hanak.

• February 16, 2021
• No Comments

Want to know how to prepare for PhD viva? We’ve collected advice and tips from successful researchers from around the world! Succeed in your PhD viva!

Each PhD is a distinctive journey in the fascinating world of yet-to-be-discovered knowledge. And as most of the journeys we take in our lives, it has a very specific destination – the PhD viva exam! 

I’ve discussed  what PhD viva  is, what are the requirements and what you should expect in my last article – make sure you read it if you haven’t done so yet!

The key to a success in a PhD viva is thorough preparation. We cannot just “wing it”!

The viva exam not only aims to verify whether you’ve done your research yourself, and I bet this isn’t the issue, and whether it is novel. It also aims to test whether you understand the work presented in your PhD thesis and the broader discussions in your field of study. The examiners also aim to verify if you’re ready to undertake a career as an independent academic. 

But how do you prepare for PhD viva and pass it with a flying colours? 

As I said at the the very beginning of this article, each PhD is unique and depends on the context of your doctorate, your examiners, your project and so on. Therefore, the viva preparation and viva experience is different. 

That is why I asked my friends who successfully passed their vivas in the recent years to share their tips and advice on viva preparation. Please meet Dr María Erans, Dr Ahmed Saleh and Dr Sinemobong Essien with whom I had a pleasure to work with in various capacities during the past decade. 

I asked them three simple questions: 

– what advice would you give yourself before viva?

– how did you prepare for PhD viva?

– what did you find most useful in your preparation? 

If your main goal for this year is to pass your PhD viva, you can find their recommendations below. I will build on their advice and share the tools and reflections from my PhD viva preparation in the webinar.

Dr María Erans, Marie Curie Fellow at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Graduated with PhD at Cranfield University

For preparing a viva, in my opinion, the most important thing is to be proactive. The weeks leading to my viva, I read my thesis a couple of times putting different coloured post-its with a colour scheme. Green post-its were for possible questions, yellow for minor errors and pink for the most important points/findings. This allowed me to prepare for any possible questions that I might be asked, and not that surprisingly the examiners asked questions in the locations of my green post-its, so I was ready for them. At the end of the day, you know your thesis better than anyone and you are aware of its strengths and weaknesses.

Another important point is to not psyche yourself out; you have been preparing for this for around three years and if your supervisors think you are ready, trust them! Also, relax the day before your viva, go for a walk, watch a movie you like or read a book. I always tell this to any soon to be Dr. the days prior to their viva, and not many believe: a viva is a conversation between scientist peers that are actually interested in your work, so above everything ENJOY IT! It will only happen once!

Viva is a conversation between scientist peers that are actually interested in your work, so above everything ENJOY IT! It will only happen once! | Dr María Erans Tweet

Follow Maria’s work on  ResearchGate  and  LinkedIn !

Dr Sinemobong Essien, Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Auckland

Graduated with PhD at the University of Auckland

What advice would you give yourself before viva?

Relax and Prepare early. Remember, the planning and execution of this research project was done by you. Agreed, you might have had some help here and there. But the bulk of the work was done by you. So, get confident in that fact, plan, prepare early, practice, repeat. The viva is just a discussion session with other experts, who only want to know if it was you who did the work.

How did you prepare for PhD viva?

I started preparing for my oral presentation from the first day I resumed my doctoral degree. The plan was to build confidence in my research and the results thereof. So, I worked on gaining a complete understanding of what my research stood to achieve, the big picture and specific targets. I used standard practices, like having controls and repeated measures, for my experiments. This is very important when drawing conclusions especially in new research areas.

I began arranging and populating my presentation slides at least a month to the D day. This was to allow time for practicing and editing. My presentation was organised in a way that gave an executive summary of my research background, approach and results while addressing questions that were raised by the examiner. The latter part is very essential because it helps you expound on the questions/issues that were raised thus giving more depth to your presentation.

I had several mock presentations in front of the mirror, where I noted non-verbal cues that may indicate confidence or lack of it, then I adjusted these body signs where necessary. One more mock presentation with the supervisor to gain perspective from a more experienced person in the field. Another mock presentation with friends who gave tips on presentation style.

I backed up my presentation slides and thesis in various location e.g., email, cloud storage, USB, external drive. Storing your thesis and presentation slides in different location helps prevent document losses. The impact of this loss can be devasting to both physical and mental health.

I looked at the viva as a discussion session and not as an examination. That way I was able to reduce the undue examination tension which allowed me focus on arranging, practicing, editing and back.

Lastly, I took breaks. The time allowed me recharge and also come up with better ideas to improve my presentation.

What did you find most useful in your preparations?

The practice sessions. The tips provided helped improve my presentation, both the style and the content. Most people shy away from this because of various reasons including timidity. But I encourage everyone preparing for their viva to try practicing in front of the mirror, to friends and to research group. The pointers you receive may be very useful for preparing for your viva. Best wishes for you big day.

I encourage everyone preparing for their viva to try practicing in front of the mirror, to friends and to research group. The pointers you receive may be very useful for preparing for your viva. | Dr Sinemobong Essien Tweet

Follow Sinemobong’s work on  Instagram  and  LinkedIn !

Dr Ahmed Saleh,  Low Carbon Energy Engineering Consultant

Graduated with PhD at Heriot-Watt University

You have reached this stage, congratulations! You are almost there; just a few steps away from your dream. Be confident about your work. Be full respect to your examiners and their experience but remember you have something special that you have done all that amount of research and analysis was done by yourself and you know each part of it. Now it is the time to talk about and explain.

Be confident about your work. Be full respect to your examiners and their experience but remember you have something special that you have done . | Dr Ahmed Saleh Tweet

In my introductory paragraph, I have avoided using the word defend and I used explain and talk instead. The reason for that I believe that dealing with the viva as discussion and explanation session, rather than a defence session, would reduce your stress compared to dealing with it as a defence session and you have to be prepared for others attack.

Personally, I believe that the preparation for the viva starts from choosing your examiners. Choosing examiners with a research profile close to what you are doing in your PhD might help to have a smooth viva what we could call a discussion session.

To prepare for PhD viva, first read carefully the thesis from the start to the end. Do it at least once before the viva. It should be a deep reading and try to stop and challenge your self about what you have written. Ask yourself if you were the examiner how could you ask about this point. Do not leave anything vague. If you do assumptions prepare your self to be asked WHY?

If you faced a problem in the design or the calculations prepare your self for a question of HOW did you manage to solve and so on?

While you do the deep reading practise, take notes and put them either on the hard copy of your thesis or gather them in a separate file.

After completing what I called the deep reading and challenging yourself, you may get a list of questions or points you are highly expecting the examiners to ask you about. Prepare the answer for each of them and make your self ready with one step ahead.

Second advice I would like to give you is to do a couple of mock vivas. In my case, I did it twice. Once with my supervisor and once with a friend who was studying something completely different from what I am doing. The main advantage I could see from the two mock vivas that I have received different opinions, questions and suggestions from experts and non-experts in my major. 

Although it is optional to give a presentation in the day of the viva, I found it very useful as you may answer some of the examiners’ questions and the most important thing is that it might guide them to the right question in the core of your thesis which you are well prepared for.

Finally, to wrap up, the thesis is your hard work which you have spent months to prepare and this a very good chance for you to explain, discuss and impress others.

Follow Ahmed’s work on  LinkedIn !

A final word…

I trust the reflections and advice from my friends around the world will inspire you and will help you to prepare for PhD viva – let me know if this has been useful in the comments!  

If you’ve already passed your viva, I’d like to hear from you! If there’s any piece of advice that you’d like to give current or prospective PhD students, use the contact form to reach out !

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The Savvy Scientist

Experiences of a London PhD student and beyond

How to Defend a Thesis: An Introduction to the PhD Viva

The prospect of defending your PhD work can be more than a little daunting. It represents the climax of many years of hard work, you’ll have to defend a thesis in front of experts in your field and the whole PhD viva process can seem cloaked in mystery.

Maybe you’ve seen a labmate go for their PhD viva to then emerge several hours later, relieved but perhaps slightly dazed. Often it’ll be the case that they’ll have forgotten the specifics by the time they’ve left the room. On top of that, horror stories of bad PhD viva experiences pass through many research groups which are enough to make even the most confident and positive PhD students shake in their boots.

Having had my own PhD viva earlier this year, in addition to discussing experiences with many other PhD graduates, I now want to help you through the process.

Before we begin, I want to offer some reassurance. For most people the PhD viva is not at all the horrible experience we occasionally hear about. Even so, it’s still useful to know what to expect. I’ve therefore put together a series to help others understand the PhD viva process and how to defend a thesis.

Defend a Thesis: Overview of the PhD Viva Series

This first post will be an introduction to the PhD viva process and how to defend a thesis. Upcoming posts will cover:

• Viva Preparation: Common PhD Viva Questions
• What is a PhD Viva Like? Sharing Graduates’ Experiences
• How to Choose Your Examiners

If there is anything specific you’d like covered, please let me know! I’ll be sure to include it. If you’d like to subscribe to get notified of upcoming posts as they’re released you can do so here:

How is a PhD Assessed?

Typically the main output expected at the end of your PhD project is a thesis. You’ve put years of work into your PhD and the thesis details your contributions to your chosen research field. But how is the thesis “marked”? Who will decide if what you’ve written is actually any good?

This is where the PhD viva comes in!

The PhD viva involves you discussing and defending your work with experts in your field. The experts act as examiners to determine whether or not the university should award you a PhD based on your thesis and viva performance. The thesis is the written report submitted for a PhD, and the viva is a means of quality control to ensure that only suitable candidates are awarded a PhD by the university.

Although part of the purpose of a PhD viva is to ensure that the work is of a high quality, just as importantly it’s to check that you were the one who carried it out and that you understand what you were doing!

The PhD viva is therefore essentially an exam during which you’ll have to defend a thesis.

Here is the official “mark scheme” for a PhD at Imperial:

I recommend looking at the presentation which this screenshot came from: sadly I only came across it after my own PhD viva whilst putting together this post!

Steps to Completing a PhD

• Submit your thesis for the examiners to read ahead of the viva.
• Have the viva , where you’ll defend a thesis and discuss your research. The examiners will decide from a list of possible outcomes as detailed later in this post.
• Make amendments to the thesis as necessary.
• Optional celebration.
• Have the thesis amendments approved by the examiners and/or your supervisor and confirmation sent to the university.
• Upload the final copy of your thesis to the university.
• Eagerly await notification that you’ve been awarded a PhD by the university!
• Celebrate, Dr!

All celebrations except for the one after making changes to your thesis are mandatory!

PhD Viva vs PhD Defence

The words viva and defence are sometimes used interchangeably, but often are used to reference the different ways that the a PhD is concluded around the world.

A PhD viva (technically a viva voce ) is a formal examination of a PhD. It’s typical in the UK (amongst other countries) and it is a closed-event between yourself and some examiners.

Across much of Europe it is common instead to have a PhD defence . This still involves expert questioning but can be more of a ceremony and may even be open to the public. You can read about Siddartha’s experience , who completed his PhD in the Netherlands.

I went through a PhD viva and that’ll be the focus of this series. Nevertheless, there is overlap and you may still have difficult questions in a PhD defence, so the content in this series should still be useful no matter where you’re based.

In both a PhD viva and a PhD defence you’ll be expected to defend a thesis which represents the culmination of your work during the PhD.

Who is Present During the PhD Viva?

In the UK it is typical for the PhD viva to include:

• One or more experts from your university ( internal examiner ).
• One or more experts in your field from another institution to your own ( external examiner ).
• And sometimes your supervisor, though in my experience this is quite rare unless you actively ask them to be there.

The main role of the internal examiner is to act as a moderator and ensure that the university’s protocols are upheld. They’ll usually still have some questions for you, but on top of that they’ll make sure that the external examiner(s) are reasonable. They will also take charge of documenting the viva.

Often the external examiner will be more specialised to your field than the internal examiner, so expect them to potentially ask more tricky and technical questions.

As mentioned in the previous section, for PhD defences in other countries the event may be less of an exam (viva) and more of a celebration of your work. These can be a lot more open, with access granted to your friends, family or anyone else who is interested in the topic. I quite like this idea, especially when the research has been publicly funded!

How the PhD Viva is Structured

The structure of the viva will vary but a typical format is shown below. The times in brackets are how long the sections for my own viva were, thankfully not all vivas are over five hours long!

• Introductions (2 minutes) – greeting the examiners and they’ll usually quickly give an overview for how they want the viva to go.
• Presentation (10 minutes) – Not all examiners will want you to give a presentation, it’s best to ask them in advance. I believe many examiners like asking for presentations: both to ease into the exam and also to see how you do at distilling years of work into a short presentation.
• Discussion (Over 5 hours, yes, really!) – the long and potentially scary bit.
• A short break (~10 minutes) . You’ll leave the room (or video call!) and the examiners will come to a decision for your PhD outcome.
• Decision and final comments (10 minutes) – where the examiners will tell you what the outcome is of the viva – we’ll cover this in more depth in the next section.

The discussion in the middle of course is the main guts of the PhD viva, and the potentially scary bit. This is where you’ll get questioned about your work and thesis. What you get asked could vary considerably depending on your thesis and examiners.

I’ll save an in-depth discussion of my own viva for another post. In short, I received very few questions relating to the work or any fundamental underlying science. There were practically no questions to quiz my knowledge.

Rather than checking my understanding of the work, the viva was much more of a discussion of how best to present the work in the thesis. We spent roughly an hour going page by page through each chapter. This included suggestions for improvements to figures, changes in terminology and the like.

Possible PhD Viva Outcomes

At the end of the viva the examiners will give you feedback. This will include feedback on your performance in the viva. But as long as they’re satisfied that you carried out the work and that you knew what you’re doing, the bulk of the feedback will in fact revolve around your PhD thesis.

Technically there are lots of potential outcomes, as detailed here:

In reality here are the four main possible outcomes from the viva:

• Pass with no amendments . The examiners didn’t want to make a single alteration to your thesis. Well done you just have to submit the finalised thesis to the university and you’ve finished your PhD! I know a few people who’ve had no revisions but it’s rare.
• Pass with minor amendments Minor amendments include things such as correcting typos, rewording sentences and small alterations to data analysis and presentation. This is by far the most common outcome.
• Referral for resubmission ( major amendments). More substantial changes to the thesis are required or further experimental work is required to fulfil the requirements of a PhD. The examiners will decide whether or not this means having another viva too.
• Fail . Unless there are glaring issues or you didn’t actually do any of the research in your thesis yourself, you should be relieved to hear that practically no one ever fails. If you have failed, it usually points to systematic issues revolving around your supervisor: you shouldn’t have been allowed to get to this point. Usually the examiners would recommend that you be awarded a lower degree, such as a masters in research (MRes).

Slightly up the page is a screenshot from my own examiners’ report. You’ll see that I, like most people, passed with minor amendments.

2022 Update: Starting to prepare for your PhD viva? A set of viva preparation worksheets are now available in the resource library. Click the image below for free access!

Making Changes to Your PhD Thesis

Shortly after the viva you should receive the examiner’s report which includes a list of revisions for you to make.

If you’ve got through the viva with a pass, you can breathe a sigh of relief because the hard work is over! In a separate post I’ll be covering how the process to make my own minor amendments went.

No matter the outcome, it is possible that you’d like to make your own changes to the thesis since it’ll have been many weeks (or months) since submitting the draft copy for your viva. On reflection there may be things you’re not happy with. You are welcome to make changes to the document yourself.

After you’ve made changes, the final stage in getting awarded the PhD is submitting your finalised version of the thesis to the university. Shortly afterwards you’ll get the long-awaited notification that you’ve got your PhD!

Should You Strive For No Amendments?

In my opinion it’s not worth the effort of trying to get no amendments.

I’d personally rather spend slightly less time up front, knowing that more than likely I would have to made some amendments. You can never put in enough work to ensure there will be nothing your examiners want changed!

You could spent hundreds of extra hours endlessly going through your thesis meticulously before submission but your examiners can always find something they want you to change. In comparison, my own minor amendments only took two days of work.

Sometimes you’ll see someone mention on their CV that they passed with no revisions but it doesn’t really have any bearing on your PhD. Unlike most other qualifications, there aren’t really grades for PhDs: you either have one or you don’t.

During an early PhD assessment my assessor made a poignant joke about medical degrees: “What do you call the person who graduates bottom of their class in medical school? A doctor!” And it’s essentially the same with PhDs!

If you’d like personalised help with preparing for your PhD viva I am now starting to offer a small number of one-to-one sessions. Please contact me to find out more or click here to book a call.

I hope this introduction to PhD vivas and how to defend a thesis has been useful. Let me know if you have any specific questions or concerns you’d like to see addressed in the following posts.

As always you can stay up to date with content by subscribing here:

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Top 12 Potential PhD Viva Questions and How to Answer Them

Breathed a sigh of relief after submitting the PhD thesis you’ve burnt the midnight oil for? Not so soon! While submitting your thesis is a massive achievement, defending it decides whether you will receive the doctoral degree or not. Although every PhD viva examination is different, there are similarities in the types of questions asked at each. In this article, we shall discuss the most common and potential PhD viva questions and how to answer them.

Types of PhD Viva Questions

Generally, examiners prepare a series of questions for you to answer at the PhD viva voce examination. These questions are primarily based on your thesis. However, the questions asked in PhD viva examinations can be broadly grouped under four basic headings:

• General Questions
• Research Context and Methods
• Analysis and Findings
• Discussions and Conclusion/Implications

Therefore, while preparing for your PhD viva and defending your thesis , you must consider the types of questions you’re likely to be asked. This helps in practicing your answers in advance and not being baffled during the viva. Practicing how you would answer questions based on these four basic categories will take you a long way in your preparations.

Commonly Asked PhD Viva Questions and How to Answer Them

While sticking to answering the most commonly asked questions might sound simple, it is equally important to be prepared for counter questions. Furthermore, it’s easy to go off on a tangent due to nervousness. This leads to opening up other lines of enquiry from the examiners in areas you hadn’t probably expected to be questioned about.

Ideally, you aren’t expected to dictate your thesis as it is. Examiners are interested in knowing your understanding of the research, its methods, analysis and findings, conclusion and implications, etc.

Despite the differences in every PhD viva, you must be prepared to answer these common questions logically. Below are some popular PhD viva questions to prepare:

1. Tell me about yourself.

Introduce yourself and talk about your areas of interest related to research. More importantly, focus on the areas you are extremely positive about. Briefly speak about your past achievements without overwhelming the examiners and sounding boastful. Keep the introduction professional.

2. What is the reason for selecting this research question?

The response to this question is often generalized by saying that you are interested in the topic. However, examiners want to hear the specifications of your interest in the topic. You must plan your answer stating the most interesting aspect of your research and why did you choose the research question over another topic from the same or allied domain. Furthermore, cite certain instances that helped you in selecting the research topic and the particular field for your project.

3. What is the key focus of your research?

Remember that the answer to this question is not about summarizing your research. It involves talking about the area of primary focus of research. Most importantly, in order to demonstrate the viability of your research, it is essential to identify some of the key questions it addresses.

4. Did the research process go as per your plan or were there any unexpected circumstances that you had to deal with?

The purpose of this question is not only to see whether you can work as per your structured plan, but also to understand your readiness with backup plans in case of unforeseen situations. An ideal way to answer this is by clearly stating if the project went as per your predefined plan. Furthermore, be honest in mentioning if you were assisted by others in dealing with it, as it may lead to a new set of questioning from the examiners.

5. After completion of your research, which part of the process did you enjoy the most and why?

Remember that the examiners know about a PhD student’s stressful journey . Therefore, do not elaborate on the hardships that you went through during your research, unless asked otherwise. Emphasize on the aspects of the research project that you enjoyed and looked forward to every time you stepped in your laboratory. Describe how you developed interest in newer approaches to conduct research.

6. As a researcher, what change has this research brought in you?

This question demands a strong, progressive, and positive response. Remember your first day in the research laboratory and compare it to today. Identify the differences in your traits as a researcher. Mention how following, reading, and analyzing other researchers’ works have brought a positive change in you. Furthermore, address how you overcame your shortcomings as a researcher and upskilled yourself.

7. Summarize your thesis.

Be well versed with the entire project. Start by explaining why you selected the topic of your thesis and close your explanation by providing an optimum solution to the problem. You must prepare for 3 types of answers for this question. Prepare a 1-minute, 3-5 minutes, and 10-minute summary and use the correct one based on your audience at the viva.

8. What developments have you witnessed in this field since you began your doctorate? How did these developments change your research context?

Familiarize yourself with the advances in your field throughout your PhD. Mention works of researchers you have referred to while working on your project. Additionally, elaborate on how other researchers’ work influenced your research and directed you to finding results.

9. What original contribution has your thesis made to this field of study?

Answer this question by keeping in mind what was known before in published literature and what you have added as part of being awarded your PhD. Firstly, you must present a major piece of new information during your research project. Secondly, elaborate on how your research expands the existing literature. Thirdly, mention how your work is different from other researchers’ works that you referred. Finally, discuss how you developed a new product or improved an existing one.

10. How well did the study design work?

While answering this question, you must focus on how your planned methods and methodologies were executed. Furthermore, mention how you tackled difficulties in study design and concluded your research.

11. Elaborate on your main findings and how do they relate to literature in your field?

While answering this question, elaborate on how you evaluated the key findings in your research. Mention the key factors involved and the reason for choosing a particular process of evaluation. Furthermore, explain how your findings are related with the literature review of your project. Mention its significant contributions in your field of research. In addition, discuss how your research findings connect with your hypothesis as well as the conclusion of your research.

12. What is the strength and weakness of your research?

While you may want to impress the examiner by emphasizing on the strengths of your research, being aware of the weaknesses and planning a directional move to overcome them is also equally important. Hence, mention the strengths first and elaborate on how they connect with the key findings. Additionally, underline the limitations and the factors that could be transformed into strengths in future research.

How nervous were you while preparing for your PhD viva voce? Did you follow any specific tips to ace your PhD viva voce ? How important is it to prepare for these common PhD viva questions beforehand? Let us know how you prepared for your PhD viva voce in the comments section below! You can also visit our  Q&A forum  for frequently asked questions related to different aspects of research writing and publishing answered by our team that comprises subject-matter experts, eminent researchers, and publication experts.

Really useful in helping me put a plan / script together for my forthcoming viva. Some interesting questions that I hadn’t thought about before reading this article – the proof of the pudding will be how well the viva goes of course, but at least I now have a head start! Many thanks

Thank you, this is super helpful. I have my viva voce in a month and I’ll be using these questions as a guide

Well framed questions

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How to prepare for the PhD viva In 10 days

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. You want to show the examiners that you are providing a fresh perspective to the field and that you can rationalise your theoretical framework, methodology and results in your work words.

The criteria for Imperial College London are as follows:

Although it may seem like a daunting process, the viva process simply allows you to defend your project – the project of which YOU are the expert.

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. Part 2 is an in-depth read of each chapter, reviewing key questions and discussion points.

The 10 Day Study Timetable

Below is a study schedule to be used during the PhD viva preparation. Depending on how many days in advance you begin to study, the schedule can be expanded to allow for more days to review each chapter.

The Chapter Summary

To thoroughly review each thesis chapter on days 5-10, a set of standard questions should be considered. Firstly, you want to ensure that you can summarise each chapter in your own words and are able to rationalise your research findings. Secondly, you should be confident in answering questions about the literature that is cited within the chapter. Referencing a paper means that you have read, considered and understood the paper in relation to your own work. The examiner can ask you about how your work is similar or differs to published literature detailed within your thesis. Lastly, you need to be able to defend your work in an academic manner, through evaluating any challenges, limitations or alternative techniques that you could have taken.

The chapter summary prompts below should be completed for each chapter, allowing you to adequately prepare for the viva.

• Summarise the chapter
• The key points and results
• Key definitions
• Discussion points
• Important papers to note
• Reason for choosing the particular method/s
• Evidence for choosing the method/s
• Methodological challenges
• Choice of analysis
• Limitations of method/s

By answering the above, you are able to adequately summarise your results and ensure that you can confidently answer a question to defend your work.

You’ve got this! Best wishes.

If you want to access our expert-designed templates, resources and step-by-step guides to support you through all stages of your academic journey, download them here

By Amina Yonis

Dynamics of Actin Cytoskeleton

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