How to Survive Your Viva

by Rowena Murray

"The aims and objectives... are comprehensive, covering very urgent needs in a hitherto neglected aspect within the research training field. ...This book provides a thorough digest of all the important aspects of the viva process, recognizing diversity but noting common demands, expectations and concerns. It is also a valuable resource of relevant literature in the field. ...I wish that this book had not only been available for my many previous students but for myself when I underwent the process, surviving more by good fortune than informed guidance, and suffering unnecessary levels of anxiety in the process." Studies in Higher Education "This is the first book of its type... to focus entirely on this one short but vital part of the PhD process. It's a vital stage in gaining your degree, yet most people make surprisingly little preparation for it. ...My own PhD viva had some bad moments because I invited an extra examiner who didn't really need to be there - and he decided to make waves (because he had no personal investment in the process). If I had read this book first, I wouldn't have made that mistake. It's a crucial moment in your academic career. The price of a book like this will repay itself a hundredfold in your first year of subsequent employment." Mantex "The book...covers pretty much all that students might need to know about the viva, including aspects of it that they might never have considered. ...Throughout Rowena Murray is concerned to recognise that candidates may feel powerless but that they can learn to be more powerful by making themselves knowledgeable about local regulations, procedures and customs, practising appropriate skills and preparing themselves as they would for any other form of assessment." Learning and Teaching in Higher Education The oral examination is a new type of communication event. It requires the highest standard of communication skills. Writing a thesis or dissertation requires students to pull their ideas together into a unified whole; oral examinations take it all apart again. Typical questions, and strategies for answering them, are provided in order to help participants prepare and practise. The book

Genres: Academic

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly only a niche market for this, but you can skim over it in two days and get yourself in a good mental place for your viva. Pretty decent practice questions, several of which came up in my viva.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scared me! My own viva wasn't nearly as bad as some of the scenarios in here.

[Dylan Parry Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read as part of your preparations. It pulls no punches about the arbitrary nature of academia in the UK and shares quantitative and qualitative research on the process.

I would recommend beginning to read this about 6 months before you are expecting your viva (before submission) and the advice shared is helpful from that point. Even if you buy it (as I did) a few weeks before, it is really helpful in signposting what you need to know (and find out) about the process.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scary little book that gives good tips on how to navigate the PhD viva process

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book a week before my Viva. It gave me some good tips on how to prepare for the event. I hadn't even thought about some of the things I learned. At moments, I was uneasy when reading (I hadn't contemplated all the things that could go wrong!), but the author does try to help students look at the bright side (e.g., examiners will try to help you show your knowledge). Overall, it was a useful read.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic help to preparing for the viva. It was extremely practical and informative.