How to pass your PhD viva
Five tips to a less painful thesis defence
In most of Europe, the PhD viva is a formality. In Finland, you get a ceremonial sword. In Australia, it doesn’t exist at all. But in the UK, the oral viva (or, in the US, the thesis defence) is an integral part of achieving a doctorate. In a gruelling two-hour (or more) face-off with internal and external examiners, the candidate must prove they can support their thesis and are ready to become an independent researcher.