Target audience: late stage postgraduate research students 

This course is primarily aimed at those undertaking a doctoral viva within the next 6 to 12 months, although others may find it gives a useful insight into oral examinations. The course will be useful for students who would like to learn more about the viva process as well as how to prepare for the examination.

Description:

This material gives 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 Doctoral Viva Voce. Materials include video advice from experienced examiners from the University of Nottingham. These tasks are suitable for late-stage doctoral students only.

Aims/ Objectives:

This course is designed to advise you on appropriate practical preparation for the Viva Voce examination.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• locate relevant documents and information
• understand the administrative requirements of the University
• understand what a Viva Voce examination is for
• have an insight into what happens on the day
• understand how to set-up a mock viva

Process:

This is a standalone (self-study) online course. This course is delivered entirely online via Moodle and is self-study. You may access the course as often as you like until the end of the academic year. If you would like to gain Researcher Academy training point/s for this course you must complete the assessment tasks associated with it.

Completion of the assessment is optional for students based at our UK and Malaysia Campus'. Students based at our Ningbo China Campus are not required to complete the assessment. 

Researchers across all 3 campuses can self-enrol on this course in Moodle by following this link:
https://moodle.nottingham.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=125591

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

Related Courses:

The Researcher Academy currently offers a webinar version of this course called Preparing for the Viva (Webinar).


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.

Course open throughout the year
Access Moodle
Engage with online materials
Watch and listen to pre-recorded videos
Undertake and submit an assessment (to be marked as attended)

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 webinars/ online courses will still be recorded and corresponding training points, when shown as available, will be awarded.