This online course is run by the Researcher Academy

Target audience: 

This course is primarily aimed at those undertaking the doctoral viva within the next 12 months (mid- to late-stage postgraduate researchers). If you would like to start the process of mentally preparing for the viva, whether it is in person or online, and gain a clearer picture of how you will prepare in the run up to the big day this is an ideal course for you. 

Description

The preparing for your viva course is made up of a short webinar accompanied by a self-study Preparing for your Viva Moodle resource. Together these elements are designed to demystify the viva process, from the submission of the thesis through to the possible viva outcomes, supporting you to approach the experience with confidence.  

Webinar 

This short webinar (75 minutes) will provide valuable insights into the viva process from the perspective of a previous postgraduate research student who has recently undertaken their viva and an experienced doctoral examiner. You will hear about their experiences and top tips and have the opportunity to ask questions. 

All sessions are open to postgraduate researchers from any faculty and speakers are prepared to address a multidisciplinary audience. However, following feedback and evaluation, this year we have paired speakers according to faculty or very broad research areas where possible as outlined below. 

Please note that, due to speaker availability, we do on occasion have to make last minute changes to speakers. 

• 8 November 2024 - Engineering
• 4 December 2024 - Medicine & Health Sciences/Science
• 22 January 2025 - Science/Medicine & Health Sciences
• 7 March 2025 - Social Sciences 
• 3 April 2025 - Arts (This will be a hybrid session with the option to attend in person or online. Click here to book.)
• 22 May 2025 - Social Sciences/Arts 
• 4 July 2025 - Medicine & Health Sciences 

Moodle resource 

The webinar is accompanied by our ‘Preparing for your Viva’ Moodle resource, which you can access at any time by clicking the link and self-enrolling. You will find the background information necessary in submitting a doctoral thesis, practical advice and guidance, tasks to help you consider the level of preparation you need, as well as information to help you prepare yourself for the specifics you may face in your viva. Materials include video advice from experienced examiners from the University of Nottingham and links to further reading and resources. This resource is suitable for postgraduate researchers from all faculties.  

You may access the course as often as you like until the end of the academic year. 

Aims/objectives 

The aim of this course is to help you understand the doctoral viva examination process and how you can prepare for it. 

By the end of this course (webinar and Moodle resource), you will: 

• understand the main purposes of the viva 
• understand the examination process and criteria 
• be able to provide responses to some typical viva questions 
• understand how to prepare for the viva in order to plan your time leading up to your examination
• have heard accounts of those with recent experience of the doctoral viva (from the candidate and examiner perspective) had the chance to ask questions 

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.

Webinar 

Access MS Teams
Attend the course at the specified date and time
Use the MS Teams chat box function
Watch and listen to the course tutor(s) and/or other attendees
Follow presentation slides during the course

Access Moodle
Engage with online materials
Watch and listen to the pre-recorded videos

Booking Conditions

Our webinars/ online courses are very popular, especially in the current period and we are experiencing large volumes of people on our waiting lists.  

Please do let us know if you would like to cancel your place on this course so we can offer your place to another delegate. 

Please note, attendances for courses will be recorded. There are no training points associated with courses run by the Researcher Academy.

Webinar Access Instructions

This session may be recorded. If a recording is kept of the session, then please note, that it may be made available to the wider University of Nottingham researcher community.

This is an online session within Microsoft Teams. On the day of the session please use the link in this email to join the meeting. Please do not click the link in this email until the day of the session.

You will need a headset or speakers for the webinar and we recommend that you join 10 minutes before the webinar is due to start so that you can test them. You won't need to use your microphone, any questions can be asked via the chat box.