Surviving the Confirmation Viva

#1 A viva is not an interview and can turn into a discussion

In your viva, your examiners will ask a series of questions based on the report you’ve written. These may include justifications for specific techniques you’ve used, where your project fits in to the wider picture, what challenges you have faced so far, and your plans for the rest of your PhD. Whilst they are asking these questions, it is not an interview.

I felt very formal and like an interview candidate during the first few questions of my viva. But, once I relaxed, I was able to answer the questions more authentically, demonstrating what I did know but also admitting what I didn’t. The examiners were then able to inform me in these areas, meaning my viva became a discussion between the three of us and a great opportunity for me to learn. Relaxing into this discussion also meant I was better able to show my understanding. I was able to raise points and show their merits and downfalls, rather than answering what I thought they wanted to hear. Examiners are human and they want to see you succeed at the end of four years! Relaxing and answering questions honestly is the best way to do that.

#2 The examiners are NOT trying to catch you out! You know what you are talking about!

I was really nervous for my viva and spent lots of time re-reading my report and reading articles about the topic to increase my understanding. However, in doing this I think I forgot that I have been working on this project for over a year now so have been drip fed information on the subject for 14 months! The questions are about your own work, so you know the information better than anyone. No one has spent as long as you have looking at this exact topic. Trust that you know what you are talking about and relax.

The examiners are not trying to catch you out; they are either asking out of curiosity, to see if you understand how your work fits in to the wider picture, or just to see what you think of an idea! There is very rarely a right or wrong answer and it is much more important that you can explain your thought process or rationale. Being able to defend your decisions is an important skill both when attending conferences and for your final viva, so get used to justifying the decisions that you have made. I’ve now started writing down my rationale in a diary when I plan an experiment or make a decision to help me remember why I followed this path. I’m hoping this will be help me in final year when writing the thesis.

#3 Look at the viva as an opportunity to get more ideas

In partnership with not trying to catch you out, the examiners may also suggest other ideas that you could try. They often have different areas of expertise to your project so will look at your work from a different perspective. Being open to their suggestions can turn your viva into a new opportunity for networking and possible collaborations.

In my project, I was struggling with microscopy and one of my examiners suggested a technique that I had not previously considered. We are now working together on this work, meaning that my confirmation viva has vastly improved my project and helped me develop new connections within my university. Seeing the viva as an opportunity also helps reduce your nerves.

#4 Write it all down as soon as you can

All of the discussions you have in your confirmation viva will be helpful in writing your final thesis. However, it is an adrenaline fuelled environment that is not conducive to memory. When you come out of your viva take a few minutes to write down everything you can remember so that you can look back on it again in the future. This will help you write reports, plan experiments and ultimately write your thesis so that you won’t get the same questions three years down the line! I’ve done this for previous discussions with academics and it really helps to look back on all the thoughts other people have had for your project.

Overall, I can now look back on my confirmation viva as a positive experience. I was able to talk about my project with two experts and gain their input of where I should go next. The viva gave me some things to work on to make my final thesis better, but also showed me how much I’ve learned over the last year. Believe in yourself and the work you’ve done and you’ll be fine! Here’s hoping I remember this for the final viva in three years’ time!!