The examination of a PhD focuses primarily on the quality of the thesis and your ability to defend it in an oral examination known as the viva voce. Both elements are assessed against the university’s criteria, which typically require the work to be original, rigorous, and capable of contributing to knowledge.
Once the thesis is submitted, the university appoints two examiners: usually one internal (from the same institution) and one external (from another university). These examiners read the thesis independently and prepare questions for the viva. Their role is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the work, ensure that the research meets doctoral standards, and evaluate whether the candidate can explain and justify the decisions made throughout the project.
The viva itself usually lasts between one and three hours. It begins with the examiners asking broad questions about the thesis, such as how the research fits within the wider literature or why certain methodological choices were made. As the discussion continues, the questions typically become more detailed, focusing on specific chapters, data analysis, or theoretical frameworks. The aim is not to catch the candidate out, but to ensure that they fully understand their project and can defend it as an independent researcher.
After the viva, the examiners decide on the outcome. Possible results include:
- pass with no corrections
- pass with minor corrections (the most common outcome)
- major corrections (requiring substantial rewriting)
- resubmission
- fail (rare, and usually only if the work is fundamentally unsound)
Once corrections are completed and approved, the degree is awarded.
The PhD examination process is designed to ensure that graduates have produced work of doctoral standard and can demonstrate the intellectual independence expected of a researcher.
