Target Audience: this session is part of the Arts Researcher Skills Programme for late stage research students in the Faculty of Arts only. Please note that doctoral researchers in Arts must attend this workshop during their research degree.
   
Description:
The course aims to demystify the viva process and support you in preparing for your own viva. It covers: the examination process and criteria; possible examination questions; how you might prepare for the viva. An experienced examiner and a recently viva'd student will share their experiences/advice and be available for Q & A.

This course will run in hybrid format: in person in B01 Highfield House (SSAGC) and simultaneously over Teams.

Aims/ Objectives:
This course will help you to develop the skills to be well prepared for the viva examination.

By the end of the course, you will have:

• heard from an experienced examiner about the examination/viva process, what to expect and criteria from the examiners' perspective
• heard from a graduate from Arts who's recently been through their viva about their experience and advice for those preparing
• reminder/clarity on regulations, outcomes and viva practice
• had opportunities to ask the speakers questions and get clarity on anything you're unsure about
• identified ways of preparing yourself for your viva

Process: 2 hour workshop with guest speakers and Q&A

Feedback from previous attendees:
“Definitely a good use of my time. I had some idea what the examiners would look for or ask in my viva, but to have it outlined in detail by someone who had been an examiner was incredibly helpful. It seemed a very full 2 hours and went by quickly, with much to take away.” 

“It presented pretty much all the information needed in one go, instead of having to look around for it all. Also very reassuring.” 

 

Course Accessibility

The following table shows a summary of what is needed to participate in the course. 

If you feel you will experience any difficulties participating, please let us know via the ‘special requirements’ tab, providing as much information as possible. The special requirements tab can be completed when you book your place. Alternatively, you can contact us directly at ra-training@nottingham.ac.uk.

Access seminar room on campus
Take part in group activities/ discussions
Watch and listen to the course tutor(s) and/ or other attendees
Follow presentation slides during the course
Attend the course at a specific date and time

 

Booking Guidelines

Latecomer policy
Researchers should plan to arrive prior to the advertised course start time. Except for exceptional reasons, there will be no admittance to a Researcher Academy or Faculty Training Programme (FTP) course 15 minutes after the advertised course start time.

Importance of booking commitment
 When booking on to a Researcher Academy short course you are entering into a commitment to attend. If you find that you are no longer available to attend you MUST cancel your place (on the system if more than three days before the course) or if at short notice by emailing pg-training@nottingham.ac.uk. This will ensure that your place can be offered to another researcher on the waiting list. Failure to cancel a place results in other researchers missing out on places through the waiting list process.

It is unacceptable for researchers to just not attend when booked onto a course. The Researcher Academy maintains records of those who repeatedly do not attend courses they have booked. This may affect future eligibility to book onto further Researcher Academy courses and will affect considerations for Researcher Academy funded opportunities.