Hi Tenzin, at my first viva I was given a R&R, and felt quite disheartened. I felt like giving up, feeling I wasn't good enough to do a PhD (also like you in Theology). I didn't do any work for three months but then decided to give it a shot and forced myself to work on the revisions a little bit at a time. I had my second viva 18 months later in November and passed. You can pass but you must try and find courage to give it another go. Don't give up!

Thanks everyone for your encouragement. When I first posted it was only a few hours after the viva and I was a bit emotional. Now I feel a lot more positive about things and it's good to know many on here have had successful R&Rs.

I now see it as a challenge, a way to develop my thesis and make it better than before. Reflecting on the viva itself has also made me realize there were times I could have put up a better defense, so I'm going to work on that and hopefully develop a more critical understanding of the arguments in my thesis, and find ways in which to present those arguments in a stronger and clearer manner.

Hi all,

Just had my viva and have been given 12 months to revise and submit.

It feels pretty strange.

They were generally very positive about my thesis, which was encouraging, and I felt throughout the viva there might be a chance I could get revisions only. I knew beforehand there were weaknesses in the thesis, so I didn't expect to pass outright, or even pass with minor corrections. Part of me had feared I might be downgraded to an MPhil, but thankfully that didn't happen. They said it was 90% there but just needed a bit more work to get over the line.

I'm trying to focus on the positive side of this outcome, but at the same time it feels as if I'm in some weird no-man's land as I don't have the joy of a pass nor the sheer disappointment of a fail. And after all the build-up in intensity leading up to the viva, I kind of feel very tired and a little deflated.

I'm not sure if there will be another viva, although it seems likely.

Anyone else have to have another viva, and how was your experience?

Thanks for reading.

Congratulations! How did you find the experience?

Thanks Swetchha,

Initially I was told I would have to do a presentation but then a week before my Sup told me it had changed to a straight Q&A session. At the start of the meeting I was asked to sum up in a few sentences the main thrust of my thesis, then the profs asked me about specific parts of my report.

Good luck!

Well,

I made it through the interview! It felt a bit rough at times, and I stumbled awkwardly over a couple of answers due to nerves, but they gave me the green light, so I guess I didn't do too badly. They said I have to make a couple of changes to my proposal, which they will forward to my supervisor - they pointed out it was a little too broad and I needed to focus in more. But, its all good and I feel I can relax for awhile now its over :-)

Taxing - I had to do something similar to you. Had to submit a 3000 word literature review and a research proposal, including forward plan, which was around 7000 words.

Thanks for the replies. My sup told me its a relaxed question and answer session for an hour and not to worry too much. I guess I'll just read over my report and try to think of some questions they might ask!

Anyone? :-x

Hi all,

Its been a year now since I started my PhD part-time. I am researching early medieval history, and have my upgrade interview next Wednesday!

Could anyone offer any advice on how I should prepare / what kind of questions might be asked etc etc?

Thanks in advance!

Dawkins is pretty bad on philosophy actually, he should stick to what he is good at ie biology. Without going into too much detail (I have my research to work on!), having read a few of his books on the religion topic I find him misinformed, and his understanding of philosophy seems rather underdeveloped. His last book was a farcical polemic (a lot of his quotes come from wiki!), and has been slated by world-leading philosphers.

Hi James,

I've just started my PhD at Queen's, last week in fact. I'm in humanities, studying the early medieval period . I can't really comment on the support aspect just yet, being such a new student!

Since my undergrad years I have developed a pattern of staying up late (3-4am) and sleeping in until lunchtime. I've tried on numerous occasions to break this cycle, and sometimes have managed to go for a week or two on normal hours, but my bodyclock always reverts back. I'm at the point of giving up fighting, and just accepting that I'm a creature of the night!

Thanks for all the advice. I took the plunge and sent an email to my supervisor using his first name. Awaiting his reply!

My supervisor told me to aim for 60k - I'm in Humanities.

Hi all, I'm starting a PhD this week in Humanities, and thought I would drop by to say hello. It seems quite daunting to me, but I am also very excited! I've met some fellow phd students already at an introduction course, and most seem to be really friendly.

One question - I have the same supervisor that I had for my masters. He is easy going and friendly, although up until now I have always referred to him as professor (surname) in my correspondence. I recently read a book on how to get a phd and it advised that students at phd level should overcome that formality barrier with their supervisors and be on first name terms. Any thoughts on this?