Some comments on vivas

Vivas can vary with the nature of research, attitude of the examiner and the flow of the conversation. However, there are some standard questions which one can easily expect:

• Can you please give an outline of your thesis and why you got interested in this research area?
• What is the context of your research?
• How would you assess your own research?
• Which are the strongest results in your thesis?
• Which results of the thesis do you particularly like?
• How would you judge the technical depth of the various parts of the thesis?
• How would you judge the contributions of your coauthors in the different chapters of your thesis?
• Can you tell which parts of the thesis will interest which research communities more?
• Where do you see the research heading in the future?
• What are the natural extensions of the research conducted?
• Why is this term introduced here and not there? (justify the logical flow of your thesis)

Apart from standard questions, a few other things can make the viva a smoother experience:

• Prepare a general description of the thesis. This will most likely be your first answer and a good start can calm the nerves.
• Refresh the names of authors you have cited in the thesis. It can create a good impression if you can use the names when you are referring their paper during a conversation.
• Highlight important parts of the thesis to make it more readable and accessible especially during the viva.
• Try to think up questions which you might expect.