UK PhD Viva Preparation: The Questions You Will Be Asked
The seven question types that come up in nearly every UK viva - and how to prepare specific, defendable answers.
UK PhD vivas vary by discipline but the question categories are remarkably consistent. Prepare against the categories, not against guessed specific questions.
The seven categories
1. Summarise your thesis in three minutes. 2. What is the original contribution? 3. Why this methodology over alternatives? 4. What are the strongest limitations? 5. How would you respond to [opposing scholar]'s critique? 6. What would you do differently? 7. What next? Prepare a strong, specific answer to each - with one piece of evidence each.
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