SO, WHAT IS A PHD VIVA LIKE? Film 10 of 15

The PhD viva voce (live voice) or viva, is an interview by experts about the thesis or research work you have submitted. It comes at the end of your PhD journey, but as our students and supervisors tell us here, you start preparing much, much earlier.

We talk to supervisors and AHRC-funded PhD students about the ways in which their student lives and the relationship with the supervisor gradually build towards a successful and confident experience in the final viva.

"It's a friendly conversation between experts with a student about the research they've done." Dr Annebella Pollen (University of Brighton supervisor).

"The conversations with supervisors are in many ways a preparation for a viva." Dr Tom Ainsworth (University of Brighton supervisor)

"The supervisors wouldn't have put you through to that level if they didn't think you were ready." Dr Jenny Richardson (University of Brighton PhD graduate in Dress History)

Watch this, the tenth of 15 AHRC films giving a sense of the emotional and intellectual investment in studying the arts and humanities at PhD level.

Featuring in order of appearance:
Dr Annebella Pollen, (University of Brighton), Professor Fran Lloyd (University of Kingston), Dr Tom Ainsworth (University of Brighton), Dr Jenny Richardson (University of Brighton).
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These films were organised through the Techne Doctoral Training Partnership in 2020 on behalf of the AHRC and represent the opportunities available for any of the doctoral training partnerships and centres developed through AHRC funding.

AHRC Techne DTP: PhDs in the Arts and Humanities © Royal Holloway University of London