phd viva voce invitation

• 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.

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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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What is a viva? PhD viva, viva voce, viva process and more

If you are a PhD candidate and preparing to take the biggest step in your academic journey, you might be overwhelmed by the thought of your impending viva voce or the oral defense of your thesis.

Worry not, we are here to demystify the process and provide you with actionable tips to successfully navigate this crucial academic milestone.

Here, we will guide you through the viva process, shed light on the perspective of your examiners, and help you understand how to prepare for this pivotal examination. 

Whether you’re just beginning to wrap your head around what a viva entails or are already deep in the trenches of preparation, this blog is designed to offer you comprehensive, step-by-step guidance.

By understanding the process, expectations, and preparing effectively, you can walk into your viva with confidence, ready to defend your thesis and demonstrate your deep understanding of your research area.

What is a PhD viva or viva voce?

A PhD viva or viva voce is an oral examination where you defend your thesis in front of internal examiner(s) from your institution and/or external examiner(s) from another institution specializing in your subject area.

There may be up to 5 people on your viva panel. 

They are testing your knowledge and thought processed to be admitted into the degree.

Typically lasting for an hour and a half to two hours, the viva is a conversation between experts, giving you the chance to elaborate and clarify your research.

Preparation for the viva can involve ongoing conversations, with supervisors and focused development after thesis submission.

As the viva voce derives from the Latin for ‘living voice,’ let your passion for your research come alive in your defense.

As nerve-wracking as it might be, remember to relax and use this opportunity to share your contribution to your field. 

Supervisors will (or at least should) conduct mock vivas to help you prepare for questions and build confidence. Ask for a mock viva if one is not offered by your supervisor. 

During the viva, your supervisor may be present as a silent observer, ensuring examination conduct.

Outcomes of a viva range from:

• passing without corrections,
• passing with minor or major corrections,
• or not passing at all.

Examiners won’t necessarily spot all mistakes, but they read your work thoroughly, engage in a comprehensive discussion, and submit independent reports before the viva.

Understand what’s expected of you in your viva (Examiner point of view)

From an examiner’s point of view, in your viva, you are expected to confidently explain and defend your thesis.

You should be well-prepared, recognizing that examiners will carefully read your work and may identify minor mistakes.

Keep in mind that examiners may not know your thesis as well as you, so be prepared to clarify and elaborate on your research. 

They may ask some really simple and basic questions of you – particularly early on in your thesis defense.

It is essential to demonstrate your understanding of the topic and address any questions posed by the examiners.

You may have the option to include your supervisor or other supportive figures from your institution during the viva for moral support and to witness the examination’s conduct.

Understand that examiners typically work independently and exchange reports just before the viva, so be ready to engage in a comprehensive discussion about your work.

Focus on showcasing your:

• research abilities, and
• significance of your thesis

during the viva.

How to prepare for your viva exam

To prepare for a PhD viva, follow these actionable steps:

1. Familiarize yourself with your examiner’s and supervisor’s work (4-5 days): Know their research interests, potential biases, and recent publications, and consider how they might relate to your thesis.

2. Understand your thesis deeply (5-6 days): Be able to explain your research question/hypothesis, aims, theoretical framework, methods, and key results concisely. Review all the papers you discussed or mentioned in your thesis, noting their relevance to your work. Address any weaknesses in your analysis, and justify your study’s merit to earn a PhD.

3. Practice summarizing your thesis: Prepare a 200-word summary of each chapter and a 2-minute explanation of your whole thesis. Be ready to clarify your work in one or two sentences.

4. Anticipate general questions : Examples include summarizing your thesis, stating your research question or hypothesis, and discussing your main results. Prepare answers for potential questions from both a general and discipline-specific context.

5. Conduct mock vivas with your supervisor: Simulate the viva experience to get comfortable with the format, build confidence, and receive feedback on your performance.

6. Review general questions and answers (last 1-2 days): Brush up on your prepared responses and make any necessary final adjustments.

Remember, most PhD students pass their viva, so focus on preparing and confidently discussing your research.

Things to keep in mind during your viva – top tips

Here are the top tips to keep in mind during your viva:

1. Ask for clarifications if a question is unclear. Be polite and ensure you understand the question before attempting to answer it.   2. Don’t interrupt the examiner while they are asking a question. Give them time to finish, as it shows respect and allows you to fully comprehend the inquiry.

3. Be honest if you don’t know the answer to a question. Prepare a polite response for unexpected questions you cannot answer.

4. Maintain confidence without arrogance. Display a level of nervousness that reflects your dedication to the process, but avoid overconfidence or disrespect.

5. Keep your answers concise and structured. Use a clear format when providing your response, such as breaking it down into key points.

6. Speak at a moderate pace. Avoid talking too fast or too slow, as it can be distracting for the listeners. Practice controlling your speech rate during your preparations.

7. Give yourself plenty of time before the defense to prepare and relax. You should be in the right state of mind for your viva.

8. Be familiar with the protocols, format, and panel of your viva. Attend other thesis defenses, read your institution’s guidelines, and research the background of the examiners on your panel.

By following these tips, you can enter your viva well-prepared and have a successful defense. Enjoy the experience and demonstrate the hard work you have put into your research.

Wrapping up – thesis viva

Concluding our comprehensive guide on the viva process for PhD students, the final thought we leave you with is this: your PhD viva, or viva voce, is an opportunity to defend your research, a unique chance to demonstrate your motivation, strengths, and even your limitations as a researcher.

It’s important to understand the viva definition in its entirety: a viva voce is an oral test undertaken in front of a panel of examiners.

This panel usually includes one internal examiner from your institution and one external examiner from another. It may also include other experts depending on policies and practices.

Preparation is key when you get to the viva stage.

To that end, arranging a mock viva with your supervisor could help you anticipate the types of questions you’ll be asked. This practice could enable you to put your best foot forward during the real deal.

Don’t be surprised if the viva examination lasts anywhere between one and four hours.

You may be asked to elaborate on your PhD thesis, defend your field of study’s claims, discuss its strengths and weaknesses, and suggest future research opportunities. Your response to the assessment task should be in-depth and thoughtful.

Under the current COVID-19 conditions, many students are having their viva over Zoom or Skype.

In these cases, it’s important to arrange your setting to minimise distractions. Feel free to ask for clarification if the audio cuts out or you miss a question.

In preparation for your viva, review the academic profiles of your panel members, anticipate questions they might ask, and keep a copy of your thesis at hand.

Also, remember that while it’s important to provide an in-depth response, a concise explanation is ideal to avoid going on a tangent. If you’re asked about any weaknesses or limitations in your work, be honest and thoughtful in your response, highlighting your problem-solving skills as a researcher.

You’ve worked hard to reach this stage; now it’s your chance to shine! Best of luck!

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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How to create an Impactful PhD Viva-Voce Presentation

• Posted On July 11, 2023

Introduction:

• Creating well-organized slides and delivering a polished presentation within the allotted time is of utmost importance for a successful PhD viva-voce examination.
• This aspect significantly impacts the impression made on the research scholar, supervisor, or mentor by the examiners or moderators.
• Before designing the presentation slides, the scholar must carefully determine the content to include, taking into account what they should emphasize and what they can omit.
• The challenge lies in selecting the most significant research findings and key contributions, considering the extensive amount of data accumulated over the course of the research program (typically spanning 4 to 5 years).
• It is crucial for the scholar to exercise time management , ensuring that the presentation focuses on the essential aspects.

To assist in this endeavor, we have compiled a blog outlining simple yet valuable tips for preparing PhD viva-voce presentation slides.

Example Structure for a Ph.D. Viva-Voce Presentation Slides:

1: Title Slide

2: Presentation Outline

3: Introduction

4: Identification of Research Gaps or Rationale for the Research Study

5: Problem Statement

6: Objectives of the Study

7: Methodology

8: Results and Discussion

9: Conclusion

10: Publications

11: References

12: Acknowledgements

13: Thank You Slide

Please note that you can modify this general structure according to the specific requirements of your Ph.D. viva-voce presentation.

Tips for Preparing an Effective Ph.D. Viva-Voce Presentation:

1. provide a concise introduction to the background of your study:.

• Begin your presentation with a brief overview of the research topic, highlighting its significance and relevance in the field.
• Present the background information in a concise manner, using bullet points instead of lengthy paragraphs.

2. Highlight research gaps and clearly state the problem statement:

• Emphasize the research gaps or the need for your research study, demonstrating the gap in knowledge or existing limitations.
• Clearly articulate your problem statement to establish the focus of your research.

3. Clearly outline the objectives and methodology of your study:

• List the specific objectives of your study, outlining the goals you aimed to achieve.
• Present the methodology you employed, using neat schematics or flowcharts to visually represent your research approach.

4. Present research findings and data effectively:

• Present the important research findings and data from your thesis in a simple and concise manner, using bulleted points instead of paragraphs.
• Reserve the detailed explanations and scientific evidence for your oral defense presentation, and use the slides to highlight key results.

5. Connect your findings with relevant literature and emphasize novelty:

• Connect your research findings with existing literature, highlighting how your work contributes to the field and addresses the research gaps identified.
• Emphasize the novelty and originality of your research, showcasing its unique aspects or approaches.

6. Utilize schematics, graphs, and tables for data representation:

• Use visual aids such as schematics, graphs, and tables to present data and experimental conditions effectively.
• Avoid using detailed statements and opt for visual representations that can convey information more efficiently.

7. Summarize research objectives and conclude with societal benefits:

• Summarize the results of your research objectives, highlighting the key outcomes and their implications.
• Conclude your presentation by emphasizing the broader societal benefits or potential applications of your research.

8. Use hyperlinks for presenting extensive data or references:

Incorporate hyperlinks at appropriate places in your presentation to provide easy access to extensive data, datasets, experimental procedures, or relevant literature.

9. Ensure high-quality and readable images:

Pay attention to the quality of images used in your presentation. Ensure they are clear, visually appealing, and easily readable for the audience.

10. Keep the number of slides limited and maintain flow and connectivity:

• Limit the number of slides to around 50 to 55 to maintain a concise and focused presentation.
• Ensure a smooth flow and logical connectivity between each slide, allowing the audience to follow your presentation effortlessly.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, a well-organized and polished presentation is crucial for a successful PhD viva-voce examination. The presentation has a lasting impact on the research scholar, supervisor, or mentor as observed by the examiners or moderators. When preparing the presentation slides, the scholar should carefully select the content, emphasizing the most significant research findings and key contributions while managing the extensive amount of data accumulated over several years.

To assist in this endeavor, we have provided a general structure for PhD viva-voce presentation slides that you can modify to meet specific requirements. Additionally, we have outlined valuable tips for preparing an effective presentation.

The tips include providing a concise introduction , highlighting research gaps, clearly stating the problem statement, outlining objectives and methodology, presenting research findings and data effectively, connecting findings with relevant literature, utilizing visual aids, summarizing research objectives, and concluding with societal benefits. It is also recommended to use hyperlinks for extensive data or references and ensure high-quality, readable images.

Furthermore, it is important to keep the number of slides limited and maintain flow and connectivity throughout the presentation. By following these guidelines, research scholars can create compelling presentations that effectively communicate their research and make a strong impression during their PhD viva-voce examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to create an impactful phd viva-voce presentation.

Creating well-organized slides and delivering a polished presentation within the allotted time is of utmost importance during the PhD viva-voce examination. For detailed guidance, you can read our article on Impactful PhD Viva-Voce Presentation .

What are the key steps in writing a successful PhD thesis?

Writing a successful PhD thesis involves careful planning, thorough research, clear organization, and effective writing. For detailed guidance on each step, you can read our article on Key Steps in Writing a Successful PhD Thesis .

How to manage research stress and stay motivated?

Managing research stress and staying motivated during your PhD journey is essential. We’ve compiled some helpful tips in our article on Managing Research Stress and Staying Motivated for PhD Students .

Introduction: To assist in this endeavor, we have compiled a blog outlining simple yet valuable tips for preparing PhD viva-voce presentation slides. Example Structure for a Ph.D. Viva-Voce Presentation Slides: 1: Title Slide 2: Presentation Outline 3: Introduction 4: Identification of Research Gaps or Rationale for the Research Study 5: Problem Statement 6: Objectives of…

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Viva Voce Examination

The viva voce.

A viva voce (oral examination) is compulsory for PhD and Professional Doctorate degrees

The viva voce provides you with an opportunity to defend your thesis and it assists the examiners in deciding whether or not you have met the requirements for the PhD degree. 

The Examination Committee will examine:

• The originality of the work described and the theories developed in the thesis
• Your familiarity with the published work of other authors in related areas
• Your ability to summarise the work of other authors and to synthesise a theoretical framework within which to position the work described in the thesis.

Outcomes of the Viva

Once the  viva voce  is competed you will be invited by the chairperson to withdraw from the room so that the examiners can deliberate. The Examiners will complete a joint report which will include a recommendation to:

(a) Award the Doctoral degree - no corrections required

(b) Award the Doctoral degree – revisions required

(c) Revise thesis and submit for re-examination

(d) Do not award the Doctoral degree - recommendation that the candidate transfer to an appropriate graduate programme

(f) Do not award the Doctoral degree

In most cases you will be invited, through the Chairperson, to hear the examiners' provisional recommendation once their discussions are complete.

Once you have the approval of the internal examiner that you have met the requirements of the Examination Committee you may submit your Final Thesis

Please see answers to frequently asked questions relating to vivas

Your supervisor and School will organise the nomination and approval of your Examination Committee about three months in advance of you submitting the thesis for examination. The  viva voce  examination will normally be held within two months of receipt of the thesis by the examiners. It is the responsibility of the chairperson of the  viva voce  to make all the arrangements for the oral examination.  Viva voce  examinations are normally held on campus.

Note: due to COVID-19 restrictions, vivas may take place virtually or semi-virtually. Please see  here  for further guidance on conducting a viva remotely. 

You will need to be prepared for a general discussion of your research area and a detailed explanation of your research and its conclusions. You also must be prepared for the examiners to approach the thesis from a different starting point than you and to emphasise different aspects of the thesis than you considered. You will be given the opportunity to defend your thesis in every respect. You should enlist some help from your supervisor in your preparation.

There are differing opinions on the value of doing a mock  viva voce . Some consider this practice run helpful in getting you talking about your research and hearing yourself speak. Talk to your supervisor about this and if you think it would help, ask them and/or other members of academic staff to put you through your paces.

You must be present, together with the Chairperson, Internal and External examiners. Your supervisor may attend in a silent capacity, if invited to do so by you, and the Chair of the Examination Committee agrees to this.

There are no rules concerning the length of time of a viva voce. Examiners have the discretion to make it as long or as short as they think necessary. Each combination of thesis, student and examiners is unique.

• No corrections required: You go directly to the submission of final thesis
• Revisions required:  This is used when there are changes required to the thesis but where examiners do not consider a new examination t be necessary. Revisions are typically carried out within three months if the  viva voce . During this time your student status will be "for assessment". There is no fee implication and you continue to have access to UCD facilities such as UCD Library and UCD email. Once you have completed the required corrections you should meet with your internal examiner (who is usually in charge of overseeing corrections) to review the corrections. If they are satisfied that all necessary corrections have been made, then you can proceed to the submission of final thesis procedure below.
• Revise thesis and submit for re-examination:  In this case more work needs to be carried out. There may be gaps in the literature review, data collection, analysis or discussion that need addressing. The time needed to do this will be specific to each candidate. You will need to register as a student for the period when you are completing the revisions to the thesis, for a minimum of one trimester. Your research will be supervised until the required work has been completed. Once the revisions are complete, you resubmit the thesis to the University together with the Research Degree Examination Form signed by your Supervisor. Upon submission of the thesis for re-examination, the Examination Committee shall be reconvened by the Chair of the Examination Committee to conduct a second  viva voce
• The candidate transfers to an appropriate graduate programme: Here, the Examination Committee deem that the research is not sufficient for the award of a PhD but merits the award of an exit degree such as a Research Master's degree. You will not be automatically awarded a research masters or other award. You need to change registration and the thesis would need to meet the relevant award criteria for the exit degree award. If the School and Graduate School approve of the transfer to the exit degree, it will be necessary to submit one hardbound copy of the thesis that has been fully amended to reflect the change to the exit degree to the Student Desk so that the University can consider the award of the degree.
• Do not award the Doctoral Degree: In this case the work is not deemed appropriate for any research award. You will receive a transcript for any taught modules taken during your time as a student in the University

A virtual viva voce is where the student or a member(s) of the examination committee participate in the examination via a virtual learning platform such as Zoom.   Normally, the viva voce examination for doctoral candidates and other research degree candidates, where applicable, takes place in-person at a University College Dublin campus. It is important to note that if student or member of the examination panel wish to take part virtually then permission  must  be sought in advance from the Graduate Research Board (GRB). See further information here .

Documents & Files

View or download the most useful policies, regulations and forms for graduate research students

Virtual Viva Voce Guidelines

View information and guidelines on conducting a viva virtually or semi-virtually

PhD Lifecycle

View the lifecycle of the PhD programme at UCD, from application to conferring

Thesis Submission

View information on thesis submission procedures

Ph.D. Viva Voce Invitations

There will be an online public viva voce examination of research scholar wg. cdr. k. raj kumar, lt. col (reg. no. 2215002)    – faculty of dentistry on 21 st april 2022 at 2.00 p.m., research title: “clinical and mri evaluation of orthodontic mini screws for disc repositioning in internal derangement of tmj: a prospective  study”.   , google meet link:   https://meet.google.com/guz-ztbr-dir.

There will be an Online Public Viva Voce Examination of Research Scholar  Mr. R. Prasath (Reg. No 5517046) – Faculty of Engineering & Technology   on  18 th March 2022 at 11.00 A.M .

Research Title: “ Enhancing the Quality of Underwater Image with Enhanced Optimal Histogram Using Swarm Updated and Dragonfly Algorithm ”.

Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/jhx-dpcr-vrm

There will be an Online Public Viva Voce Examination of Research Scholar  Mrs. Swapna. C. Senan (Reg. No. 1114003)  – Faculty of Medicine   on  15 th March  2022 at 11.00 A.M .

Research Title: “ A Study on Correlation of Genotoxic Characteristics and TORCH Infections among Pregnant Women Leading to Congenital Malformations ”.

Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/uve-khhm-qzp

There will be an Online Public Viva Voce Examination of Research Scholar Mrs. M. Shanthi (Reg. No. 4412002) – Faculty of Nursing on 4 th February 2022 at 11.00 A.M.

Research Title: “Effectiveness of Educational intervention on knowledge, attitude and practice on obesity among obese adolescent in selected government schools of Kanchipuram district”.

Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/ dkr-sict-uao 

There will be an Online Public Viva Voce Examination of Research Scholar Mr. Arun William (Reg. No. 1114016) – Faculty of Medicine (Biochemistry) on 3 rd February 2022 at 11.00 A.M.

Research Title: “Oxidative Stress and Genetic Instabilities in Female Infertility”.

Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/ vdk-ytcj-mtn 

There will be an Online Public Viva Voce Examination of Research Scholar Mr. Elangovan G –  (Reg. No. 5517040) – Faculty of Engineering & Technology (Computer Science & Engineering) on 2 nd February 2022 at 11.00 A.M.

Research Title: “Design of Multihop Reverse Routing Techniques in Wireless Sensor Networks”

Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/ zpz-htyh-scs

There will be an Online Public Viva Voce Examination of Research Scholar Mr. Kamalraj. M (Reg. No. 1116025 )-  Faculty of  Medicine  on 1st November 2021 at 2.30 P.M.

Research Title:  “Studies on Dengue Virus Infection, Genetic Characterization, TH1 / TH2 Cytokine Response and Development of Novel Anti Dengue Drug “

Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/byo-yqdj-skq

There will be an Online Public Viva Voce Examination of Research Scholar Mr.  Krishnakumar. K  (Reg. No. 5513016 )-  Faculty of E ngineering & Technology  on 1st November 2021 at 11.00 A.M.

Research Title:  “Enhanced Multi-Objective-Based Virtual Machine Optimization for Demand Management in Cloud Environment “

Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/ekr-hngo-egw

There will be an Online Public Viva Voce Examination of Research Scholar  Mrs.  Umamageshwari .K  (Reg. No. 4413031 )-  Faculty of  Nursing  on  22nd October 2021 at 11 A.M.

Research Title:  “ Effectiveness of Reproductive Surrogacy Package on Level of Acceptance and Practice of Surrogacy Among Infertile Couples “

Google Meet Link:  https://meet.google.com/omk-sgzq-vtx

There will be an Online Public Viva Voce Examination of Research Scholar  Mrs. Priyanka G  (Reg. No.  1115006 )-  Faculty of Science  on  27th September 2021 at 2 P.M.

Research Title:  “Elucidating the Anticancer Activity of Siddha Formulation on 4-Nitruquinoline 1-Oxide Induced Oral Carcinogenesis in Rats”

Google Meet Link:  https://meet.google.com/nyy-ucbv-azi

There will be an Online Public Viva Voce Examination of Research Scholar  Mrs. S. Mary Metilda  (Reg. No.  4414028 )-  Faculty of Nursing  on  27th September 2021 at 11 A.M.

Research Title:  “Effectiveness of Guided Imagery on Stress, Depression and Anxiety among Geriatrics”

Google Meet Link:  https://meet.google.com/jcg-dnfx-qgc

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Educational resources and simple solutions for your research journey

Proven Strategies to Help You Deliver an Impeccable PhD Viva Voce

Handing in your PhD thesis after months of hard work may well be the most gratifying moment in your doctoral journey. While you may be happy and relieved to have completed this important milestone, there is one last challenge to be met before you can earn your PhD degree – that of delivering an impactful PhD viva voce. The viva voce is an oral examination where doctoral candidates are invited to defend their PhD research. The objective of the viva is to establish your competence as a researcher and to confirm that the research thesis submitted is your own work 1

The format for the viva may differ based on the country or institution. Some countries, like the UK, have a private viva with a panel of at least two examiners, while others hold the PhD final viva in a public setting, with students having to present their research and answer questions from a panel of examiners and the audience. 2 

Having to defend your research in the presence of accomplished experts in your field can be very intimidating. In this article, we share proven strategies to help you prepare for and deliver an impeccable PhD viva voce.

Table of Contents

Tips to help you prepare for your PhD viva voce

• Know what is expected of you: Check your institution’s policies to understand how the PhD final viva will be structured. Specifically, ask about the number and role of the examiners, whether there will be an independent chair, and whether your supervisor will participate. You should also confirm the format of your PhD viva voce – public, private, or online. Some institutions also offer students training on or opportunities to practice your viva, which is something you shouldn’t miss.
• Learn more about the examiners: You will be presenting to senior academics with unique backgrounds and views, so it is important to learn more about their professional profiles and published work, especially if their research relates to your thesis. This will give you an idea of where they are coming from and the kind of questions they may ask.
• Draw up a list of possible questions: It is always a good idea to try and anticipate the kinds of questions that may be asked of you. Most will be based on your thesis, so may seem easy but take time to practice vocalizing the answers. Some of the common topics for discussion are:
• What is the main research question you hoped to address?
• How do you think your thesis contributes to your field of research?
• Would you change anything if you had to start your research again?
• What, in your opinion, are the strengths and inadequacies of your thesis?
• Why did you pursue a PhD and what are your plans for the future?
• How would you proceed from here if research funds were not an issue?
• Revisit and revise your thesis thoroughly: It is always a good idea to carry a copy of your thesis; ensure the pagination matches what the examiners have so that you can easily refer to it and call out critical results or data as you explain your research. Highlighting key text can help you answer questions more quickly and confidently. It is also important to have a good understanding of your field of study, including where your work fits in and how it can be used to develop future research.
• Plan toward your PhD viva voce presentation: Once you get a date for your PhD final viva, plan backwards so you have enough time to review your work. Usually, a viva may take roughly two hours, so pace yourself, arrive well ahead of time and ensure that you are carrying everything you need for the day. If your PhD viva voce is online, make sure you have a strong internet connection and are seated in the right environment. Keeping a positive attitude, taking time to relax and ensuring you get enough sleep the day before the viva will help you stay alert.

Simple advice to keep in mind when delivering your PhD viva voce

Here are a few things to keep in mind during your oral examination.

• Prepare for the icebreaker: The ice-breaker is a 5-10 minute introduction about you and your work. It helps set the tone for the rest of the viva, so do take time to think about how you can make it impactful.
• Start strong and stay committed. Respond with precise, detailed answers that demonstrate your knowledge and thought process. Vague, non-committal answers could raise red flags for examiners and lead to negative reviews. Take time to understand the question and answer to the point. Be prepared to provide supporting data from your research if required.
• Request clarity on ambiguous queries: Don’t hesitate to ask for clarifications if you don’t understand a question. Some questions can be tricky and require a deep understanding not just on your subject matter but also on interdisciplinary aspects related to your research. If you are unsure about the answer, be honest and admit it.
• Express your opinions and ask questions: Think of the PhD viva voce as an open and honest dialog where you discuss your research, especially in the context of other work in the field. Feel free to ask questions or politely disagree if you do not agree with certain points. Use examples from your work to explain your views.
• Avoid being overconfident, defensive, or long-winded: While it’s important to know your research, it’s just as important to know how to act during the PhD viva voce. Staying humble, listening carefully, and keeping an open-mind is always helpful.
• Don’t worry about long silences: During the PhD final viva you may find yourself worrying about periods of silence from the examiners. Rest assured, this does not mean that you are not doing well, so be patient and stay calm.

  References:

• Higginbotham D. 5 tips for passing your PhD viva. Prospects, June 2022. Available at https://www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate-study/phd-study/5-tips-for-passing-your-phd-viva
• Defending your doctoral thesis: the PhD viva. Vitae. Available at https://www.vitae.ac.uk/doing-research/doing-a-doctorate/completing-your-doctorate/your-viva

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Your PhD Viva Voce – What You Should Know

Prof. jonathan edward tetteh kuwornu-adjaottor posted 18th january 2022 post views: 645.

I often receive calls from PhD students needing guidance on how to prepare for their PhD Viva Voce. Most of them sound stressed and nervous at this stage of their PhDs. It is however important to note that there is nothing to stress about as a viva voce (which literally translated means ‘with the living voice’) is simply an oral examination in front of a panel of academic experts after submitting your thesis. In this blog article, I share a few things to note in preparing for your viva.

The format for a viva differs from one institution to another though similar processes apply globally. Normally in the Ghanaian setting, a viva voce is open to the public (anyone can attend). However, with COVID-19 restrictions, most vivas are currently done virtually. The virtual presentation is likely to follow the same format. The whole presentation should be between two to four hours, maximum. The candidate presents his or her work using PowerPoint slides for about 30 minutes after which the Examining Board and people in attendance are allowed to ask questions. The Examining Board constitutes the internal and external examiners and a representative from the Graduate School Board, who chairs the viva.  The outcome of the viva is for the Examining Board to pass or fail the PhD candidate.

Four Things to Note

• Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

Your personal preparation is key to the success of your viva. Be abreast with the viva guidelines provided by your institution. If you may have to travel for your viva, ensure that you make all the necessary arrangements before the set date and carry along with you your thesis and other important documents. If your viva is online, ensure that the space you would be presenting from is as comfortable as possible, less noisy and allow you to be focused throughout the duration of the viva. During your viva you need to display mastery over the research you have conducted. Questions asked by examiners at this point are intended to find out if you have done your PhD on your own. There is no need to panic if you have done your work on your own. Read over your work severally as the day approaches. Read, to gain a deeper understanding of the research you have done.  But don’t memorize your work. Most PhD programmes offer students the opportunity to do many presentations during the period of study hence taking away the fear of oral presentation. However, if you are still not so comfortable with an oral presentation before your viva you can practise presenting your slides in front of a few friends to boost your confidence.

• Your Presentation Slides

Ensure your slides contain a summary of the following:

• Your name, department, student number
• Introduction: Brief background to the study
• Statement of problem
• Methodology for the study
• Discussion of findings. Which of the scholars whose work you reviewed agree with your findings?
• Recommendations for policy
• Contribution to knowledge

Keep your PowerPoint slides simple and straight to the point. Avoid adding points you can’t fully explain. Font used should be legible and images and charts well labelled. Know how to use the presentation pointer, to scroll your slides up and down.

• Some Possible Viva Questions

Note that the questions asked by the examiners would be based on your thesis. This means that you must constantly read through your thesis and figure out some possible questions from your work that might be asked. Some simple questions may include the following:

• What is your research objective?
• What is your research methodology?
• What is the research philosophy behind your thesis?
• In which discipline will your place your research?
• What is the contribution of your research to your field of study?
• Would you use a different research approach if you were to write your thesis again?
• How different would been your findings if you should use a different research approach?
• Read on Works of Your Examiners and Recent Research in your Field of Study

It may be helpful to read a bit on the research carried out by the examiners prior to your viva. This may be readily available online and gives you an idea of their motivation and their possible views on the research you have conducted. Read on recent papers published in your field to find out current trends. You might as well speak to other PhD candidates who may have recently done their viva in your field.

I hope these points are helpful. No need to panic, as the worst outcome of any viva is for the examiners to fail the candidate. But once you follow the guidelines provided you are on the road to success.  I wish you success in your upcoming viva.

This article is published with the kind courtesy of the author – Prof.  Jonathan Edward Tetteh Kuwornu-Adjaottor. He is an Associate Professor of New Testament and Mother Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics in the Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

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Very helpful points there. Thank you Prof.

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Amplifying The Voices Of PhD Students

Viva Question Repository

This is a repository of questions that were asked at Vivas of students, just like you.

Look up what questions you can expect in your Viva! Don’t get caught off-guard.

(Pro tip: Want to sort by more than one heading? Hold shift and click the headings you want to sort by.)

Did you have your Viva already?

Be a lamb, use the form below to add some of the questions you had and help other Ph.D. students out! 🙂

Add your questions even if they’re already in the list above because the more often a question pops up in the list above, the more PhD students will know which questions are more likely to be asked and which are not!

How To Us The Repository:

Use it to prepare for your Viva/Defense.

There are a bunch of various categories that you can search through.

You can use the search bar, or simply click on one of the category’s headers to order the rows A-Z or Z-A. You can sort by more than one column by holding shift while clicking the desired headers.

There are bound to be duplicate questions in the Repository, which tells you a little about how likely that type of question is to come up.

All the best!

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Viva voce examinations

This page sets out the procedures surrounding viva voce examinations, including advice on timings, location, format and attendance. It content is relevant to staff and students across all of the UK, China and Malaysia campuses.

Search the manual

Please be aware that during academic year 2019/20, the University introduced exceptional regulations in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. These were campus specific and meant to be read in conjunction with all pre-existing content.

From the beginning of academic year 2021/22, the active application of the exceptional regulations affecting this page has now ceased.

Any outcomes from the application of these regulations during academic years 2019/20 and 2020/21 will, however, continue to be honoured and used in all decisions regarding those affected.

Further details can be found in the "Exceptional regulations applied in response to Covid-19" section below.

1. Timing of viva voce examination

2. location for viva voce examination.

The viva voce examination (if required, as will be the case for doctoral degrees) will normally take place at the University.

However, the Head of School may give permission in appropriate circumstances for the viva voce examination to be held in another location or through online means provided agreement of the Examiners and the student is obtained and the proposed location/format is one that is deemed by them all to be suitable for the purpose. 

These decisions will be indicated on the Nomination of Examiners form, which will alert Registry and Academic Affairs to the proposed arrangements. 

If circumstances demand it, a viva voce examination may be organised in another form (e.g. by a video conference/other online platform). 

Before agreeing such an arrangement the School must check that appropriate facilities for an online viva voce are available to all participants, and shall ensure they have written confirmation that the student and the Examiners have agreed to the proposal. Hybrid viva conditions with only the candidate located remotely are not permitted. If a hybrid viva is unavoidable, if and where possible, the candidate should be co-located with either the internal examiner or Independent Chair.

If an online viva voce format is agreed by all parties, this cannot be subsequently be used as grounds for an appeal. Recording of the viva is not permitted, and no evidence based on unauthorised recordings of the viva will be permissible in any appeal process. 

4. Appointment of the Chair

If Schools wish to do so, an independent, non-examining chair may be appointed to preside over the viva proceedings in order to ensure consistency between different vivas and to provide an additional viewpoint if the conduct of the viva should become the subject of a student appeal.

Where the appointment of an independent chair is not feasible, Schools should find alternative ways of assuring fairness and consistency which are acceptable to the student.

Where vivas are being conducted by online methods where all parties are at different locations, an independent non-examining chair must be appointed. Other circumstances when an Independent Chair must be appointed are detailed in additional guidance.

When appointed or required for an online viva, the Independent Chair will chair the viva and be present throughout but not take an active role in the examination or decision making. 

5. Attendance at proceedings

Supervisors may not normally attend the viva voce examination. If concerns on process or PGR support or performance are raised, and Independent Chair should attend to ensure fairness and consistency of examination process. 

The Head of School has a right to attend as an observer at the viva voce examination of any research student in their School, unless they are the student's Supervisor when a deputy should be appointed to attend in their place (see paragraph 13 of the Role and Appointment of Examiners for the right to attend as a supervisor). For more information, please consult the following:

Role and Appointment of Examiners

Before the viva voce examination takes place the Head of School should first inform the Examiners, the student and the Supervisor that they intend to attend. The Examiners may request that the Head of School attend a viva voce examination.

If the viva voce is held online, the candidate may request that they have a supporter/observer present with them either for the entire viva, and/or for the communication of the decision. This individual must not contribute in any way to the viva, and must be introduced to all participants on camera at the start. 

6. Purpose of viva

The viva will include questions and discussions that determine whether the candidate has achieved the required doctoral outcomes.

For more information about the UNQF, please consult the following:

University of Nottingham Qualifications Framework

This will normally include questions and discussion designed to: ascertain that the thesis embodies the candidate’s own research; clarify aspects of the research presented in the thesis to ensure understanding; test the candidate’s general comprehension of the field of study within which the subject of the thesis falls; test the candidate’s acquaintance with the general literature of the subject, knowledge of the relation of the work to the wider field of which it is a part, and determine the respects in which the work advances, modifies, or otherwise affects this wider field of scholarship.

7. Completion of Joint Report Form

Following the viva voce examination the Examiners will complete and sign the joint report form and shall come to agreement on the recommendation on the award (or not) of the degree.

The option not to award any degree following the first examination is one which should only be chosen in extreme circumstances.

Exceptional regulations applied in response to Covid-19           

Please be aware that the following Exceptional Regulations were developed and applied during academic years 2019/20 and 2020/21 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. These records are campus specific and should be read in conjunction with all other content on this page.

For more information about the Exceptional Regulations as a whole, please consult the following:

Exceptional Regulations: Covid-19 - 2019/20 - 2020/21

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PhD Viva: What it is and How to Prepare

What does phd viva mean - definition & advice.

The official name for a PhD Viva is Viva Voce, which is Latin for living voice. It is an oral examination, comprising 20% towards the evaluation of a doctoral degree. The other 80% of the doctoral degree is allocated to the research work. Both are compulsory components of any PhD programme. In the United States of America, it is often referred to as a doctoral defence or oral doctoral thesis evaluation.

Once the doctoral thesis has been submitted, the viva takes place at the awarding university in front of a panel comprising of internal examiners and external university academics. It is this environment of being in front of your peers that can cause some understandable anxiety for any PhD candidate.

At this moment, it is important to reassure yourself because you are a subject expert in your PhD field. Take this opportunity to network and get into an interesting, non-confrontational debate with experts and enjoy the experience.

To help you take control of the situation, here are a few things that you can add to your preparation list, and if everything is done in the right way, then there will be far less chance of something catching you by surprise.

In a rare case, some feedback is given that happens to invalidate research or render it suitable for M.Phil. level. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to how you are preparing for your Viva, so that you give yourself the best chance of passing.

Remember to enjoy the process, as your hard work will pay off!

How to Prepare for your Viva...

Like every successful plan, it is important that you strategies your oral exam in three stages, start with preparation, make a checklist with a tentative deadline to keep everything organised, followed by the execution phase during the viva and post-viva checklist.

Here are some pointers to help you understand how one should prepare for viva three months ahead of the examination date to viva with flying colours.

Before your Viva...

The first thing you need to know is, that your supervisor can not participate in the examination, he or she can only act as an observer. You will be alone in the examination, therefore you need to prepare everything in advance. Secondly, post-graduation viva is equal to an event for many institutes, sometimes they ask students enrolled in MSc. Or MPhil to participate. However, in the UK, the oral examination is conducted in a closed room with restricted access. Also, the policy may vary depending on your university.

Apart from being an observer, the supervisor plays an important role in the timely completion of your doctoral degree, from the very beginning of your thesis submission and selection of examiner. Also, he or she is responsible for making all the arrangements such as coordinating availability, venue selection, and mode of viva - onsite or online – for both student and external examiner.

Viva date allocation and external examiner selection take a maximum of three months from the date of submission, a hard copy of the doctoral thesis. In the meantime, it is recommended to read your thesis at least three times and prepare a presentation that addresses key aspects of your research. It should also include a summary of each chapter.

Another thing that you can do is to request your supervisor to arrange a mock viva to practice your doctoral speech. In between, you can note down questions and points raised by the mock examiners and also enlist the good and bad points about your response. It will help you improvise and improve your delivery.

The most significant step is to research your examiner and read through their research work to familiarise yourself with the examiners' expertise and style.

Lastly, invest your time to create a checklist of frequently asked by external evaluators.

During your Viva...

Often PhD students think the viva is a rapid-fire round in which you need to answer quickly. Contrary, it is completely the opposite. Therefore, you must take your time to understand the question and ask the examiner for any clarification if needed. Also, it is of equal importance to provide an answer in the same format.

Remember, during viva assessment examiner is obliged to provide a constructive critique of your research, it can address both the weaknesses and strengths, one encounters while reading through your work. This does not mean to take it to heart, rather, it means to provide a logical argument backed by your findings or the literature. Additionally, PhD viva is an open-book examination and you can bring supportive material such as your reference material or notebook along with you.

Post-Viva Preparation...

The final stage of every PhD viva is to invest time in making amendments and minor corrections to the thesis and resubmitting your work. Afterwards, you can celebrate with your loved ones that have achieved the greatest level of education.

Typical PhD Viva questions asked by external examiners

• Summarise PhD thesis in two or three minutes.
• What is your rationale for selecting a particular subject?
• What original contribution has your research made to the subject matter?
• What limitations did you encounter during the research degree
• What future recommendations do you suggest?
• If you take on the same research project in future, what changes you would make in it?
• What recent development has been made in your field, and how does your study contribute to it?

How to Ace Your PhD Viva Voce

It is your Ph.D. viva voce! Years of your research work has to be presented in a short duration. Are you in a dilemma, how to go about it? It is a nerve-racking experience to present your research work leading to the award of the doctoral degree. Giving a perfect presentation is essential. Every step needs to be meticulously done from preparing your powerpoint presentation to the delivery of your work. We offer you straightforward and practical tips to overcome fear and deliver an excellent presentation in the infographic given below

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Get hands-on help to prepare for your oral defence or viva voce from PhD-qualified coaches who’ve been through the process themselves.

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We prepare you for your oral defence or viva voce by taking a three-pronged approach :

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Have a question ?

Below we address some of the most popular questions we receive regarding defence prep, but feel free to get in touch if you have any other questions.

Dissertation Coaching

Can you assist with anticipating and preparing for potential questions.

Absolutely. We can help you anticipate common questions and prepare thoughtful responses based on your research.

Can you offer guidance on structuring my presentation?

Yes, we can help you create a structured presentation that effectively conveys your research aims and findings.

Can you help me with nervousness?

We’re not therapists, but we can share some strategies and techniques to help you manage nervousness, boost confidence, and perform well under pressure.

Can we do a mock presentation/viva?

Yes, this is a common part of our approach to help you prepare for your presentation and defence.

What if I have specific concerns or challenges related to my research topic?

No problem. We can address any specific concerns and challenges you may have in relation to your research, and help you develop strategies for addressing them during your defence.

Can you help me with other aspects of my research project?

Yes. Defence prep is only one aspect of our offering at Grad Coach, and we typically assist students throughout their entire dissertation/thesis/research project. You can learn more about our full service offering here .

Can I get a coach that specialises in my topic area?

It’s important to clarify that our expertise lies in the research process itself , rather than specific research areas/topics (e.g., psychology, management, etc.).

In other words, the support we provide is topic-agnostic, which allows us to support students across a very broad range of research topics. That said, if there is a coach on our team who has experience in your area of research, as well as your chosen methodology, we can allocate them to your project (dependent on their availability, of course).

If you’re unsure about whether we’re the right fit, feel free to drop us an email or book a free initial consultation.

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All of our coaches hold a doctoral-level degree (for example, a PhD, DBA, etc.). Moreover, they all have experience working within academia, in many cases as dissertation/thesis supervisors. In other words, they understand what markers are looking for when reviewing a student’s work.

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Tips to Prepare PhD viva-voce Presentation Slides

Best Ph.D. viva ppt slide preparation tips

Table of contents

Sample ph.d. viva-voce presentation slides, tips to prepare ph.d. viva-voce presentation slides.

Preparation of neat PhD viva -voce presentation slides and presenting them in a perfect manner in the given time is very important for a PhD viva-voce examination as it going to give a good impression on both research scholar and supervisor or mentor by the examiners or moderators.

Before designing the presentation slides, the scholar has to decide what to include and what not to include in the slides. It is always a big deal for a scholar to include all the research findings, data in the presentation that was obtained during the research program (4 to 5 years).

The scholar has to remember that the presentation should include only the major research findings and key contributions as time management is important. Therefore, in this article, iLovePhD framed simple and useful tips to prepare Ph.D. viva-voce presentation slides.

The format of the presentation slides is presented below. This would give you an idea to prepare the slides.

• Give brief introduction about the background of your study. Always present the points in a bulleted manner (4 to 5 points) rather than paragraph.
• Highlight the research gaps or the need for the research study and present your problem statement clearly.
• List the objectives and methodology of your study with neat schematics.
• Present the important research findings and data presented in your thesis in a simple and bulleted manner. Don’t explain it as a paragraph in the slide rather you can give the detailed explanation with scientific evidences during your defence presentation.
• Connect your findings with past relevant literatures and emphasis the novelty of your research.
• Use schematics, graphs, and tables with experimental conditions rather than detailed statements.
• Summarize the results of your research objectives and conclude the research outcomes with societal benefits.
• Use hyperlinks at appropriate places for presenting huge and important data (Datasets, experimental procedures, literatures).
• Ensure the quality of the images as it should be clear and readable.
• Limit your presentation slides to 50 to 55 slides.
• Check the flow and connectivity between each slide.

We hope this article would be very much useful for the Ph.D. research scholars who are preparing their defense presentation slides irrespective of their area of research. We wish you all the best!!!

Also Read: Top 38 Possible PhD Viva Questions

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• phd viva presentation
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How to structure your viva presentation (with examples)

Most PhD vivas and PhD defences start with a short presentation by the candidate. The structure of these presentations is very important! There are several factors and approaches to consider when developing your viva presentation structure.

Factors to consider when developing a viva presentation structure

Structuring your viva presentation traditionally, structuring your viva presentation around key findings, structuring your viva presentation around key arguments, structuring your viva presentation around case studies, final thoughts on viva presentation structures.

A PhD viva or PhD defence is often one of the last steps that PhD students have to pass before receiving a doctorate. The viva or defence usually starts with a short presentation of the PhD candidate on the PhD thesis.

Presenting a whole PhD in a short amount of time is very challenging. After all, a PhD is often the result of several years of work!

It is simply impossible to include everything in a viva presentation.

Therefore, tough choices have to be made in terms of what to include, what to highlight, and what to exclude.

The structure of a viva presentation plays a crucial role in bringing across the key messages of your PhD.

Therefore, there are several factors to consider when developing a viva presentation structure:

• Available presentation time : Viva presentations usually last between 10 and 20 minutes, but every university has different regulations. Developing a structure for a viva presentation that lasts 10 minutes is different from developing one for a presentation that lasts 20 minutes or more. Thus, find out how much time you are allowed to present!
• The key contribution of your thesis: The structure of a viva presentation should reflect the content and key messages of the PhD thesis. For instance, if you have written a very theoretical PhD thesis, it makes no sense to structure your whole presentation around your data collection and analysis. Make sure that the viva presentation structure is in line with your main messages.
• University standards: It is recommended to discuss your ideas and plans for your viva presentation structure with others, as each university may have may be different (and even unspoken) rules and standards. Ask your supervisors about their preferred viva presentation structure. And talk to your peers who defend their theses before you.
• Clear storyline : Every presentation should have a logical structure which allows the audience to follow a crystal-clear storyline. This is also true for viva presentations. Thus, clarify your storyline and develop a presentation structure that supports it.

A very traditional viva presentation structure simply follows the structure of the PhD thesis.

This means that the viva presentation covers all parts of the thesis, including an introduction, the literature review, the methodology, results, conclusions, etcetera.

The advantage of this rather traditional format is that it provides information on each thesis chapter. Furthermore, it is relatively easy to prepare.

The disadvantage of this traditional format is that it is very challenging to fit all the information in a – let’s say – 10-minute presentation.

Furthermore, it can result in a presentation that is quite boring for the examiners, who have read the thesis in preparation for the viva.

One interesting way is to structure a viva presentation around the key findings of the PhD research.

For instance, you can select your three main findings which you each connect to the existing literature, your unique research approach and your (new) empirical insights.

A viva presentation structure around key findings emphasises the unique contribution of a PhD thesis, particularly in empirical terms.

A challenge of this structure, however, is to narrow down the presentation to a handful of key findings.

Furthermore, it might be tricky to find enough time during the presentation to discuss your theoretical framework and embed your discussion in the existing literature when addressing complex issues.

A viva presentation structured around key arguments is very similar to one that is structured around key findings. However, while key findings place more emphasis on the empirical data, key arguments operate at a higher level:

Arguments are sets of reasons supporting an idea, which – in academia – often integrate theoretical and empirical insights.

So, for example, your key argument 1 is your stance on an issue, combining your theoretical and empirical understanding of it. You use the existing theory to understand your empirical data, and your empirical data analysis to develop your theoretical understanding.

A viva presentation structure around key arguments is probably the most difficult viva presentation structure to choose.

However, if it is well done, it is probably the most academically strong and advanced way of defending your PhD.

Another common way to structure a viva presentation is around case studies or study contexts.

This structure is only applicable when the PhD thesis includes a comparative (case study) analysis, which is quite common in the social sciences and humanities.

A presentation can, for instance, first discuss the theoretical framework and research approach, then present Case 1, and then Case 2 or more if applicable.

A viva presentation structure around case studies can be easy to follow for the audience, and shed light on the similarities and differences of cases.

However, as always, you need to reflect on whether the structure supports your key message. If your key message does not centre around similarities and/or differences in cases, this is not the structure for you!

Every PhD thesis is unique, and therefore also every viva presentation structure should be unique.

The key to a good viva presentation is to choose a structure which reflects the key points of your PhD thesis that you want to convey to the examiners.

The example viva presentation structures discussed here intend to showcase variety and possibilities and to provide inspiration.

Never just copy a viva presentation structure that worked for others .

Always think about what fits best to your thesis, asking yourself the following questions:

• What is the main message of my PhD that I want to share during my viva?
• How do I develop a crystal clear storyline to bring this main message across?
• How can I structure my viva presentation to support and facilitate this storyline?

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