Examination and viva

This page contains links that will support you as you prepare for your final examination.

Good overall guides to the research degree programmes can be found in the handbooks – Forms and Guidance: handbooks – including those for PhD, Professional Doctorate and Affiliated Research Centre.

Examination and viva will be covered in the welcome back sessions that happen in September each year (slides available on Welcome Back PGR Manager listing).

Forms and Guidance

Note: if any of these links are broken try searching on the main Forms and Guidance page.

Examination guidelines for research degrees

Training resources

The Good Viva video

Remote viva-tips from students.

Other helpful resources

Preparing for your Viva - UK Council for Graduate Education.docx (open.ac.uk)

Resources for PGRs to assist viva preparation –QAA

What differs between Faculties?

Each Faculty may have its own policy and procedure around stages and actions including:

• how you can spend any funds related to your training, e.g., a training grant
• health and safety, including work stations and risk assessments for fieldwork
• arranging travel for conferences and fieldwork
• equipment and specialist software
• Third Party Monitor allocation and any subject-specific buddying/mentoring.

We recommend you start by talking with your Faculty Administrator about what happens in your Faculty (mailbox address on RESEARCH-SKILLS: Contact us | OU online).