How to Prepare for a PhD Viva at a UK University
A six-week PhD viva preparation plan for UK doctoral candidates, including mock-viva tips.
The six-week plan
Weeks 6–5: Re-read your thesis cover-to-cover with fresh eyes. Annotate every page. Weeks 4–3: List likely questions chapter-by-chapter and draft answers. Weeks 2–1: Mock viva with two PhD-qualified mentors. Final week: rest.
Likely questions
Examiners almost always ask: What's your contribution to knowledge? Why this methodology? What are the limitations? How would you extend this work? Have answers ready.
Mock vivas
Run two mock vivas with examiners who haven't read your thesis. The unfamiliar reader is the closest analogue to your real panel.
On the day
Bring a printed annotated copy of your thesis. Take a sip of water before answering any hard question, buys you thinking time without looking flustered.