Understanding the viva examination

The viva is an oral examination that takes place at the end of your doctoral degree. 

During the viva, you will have the opportunity to discuss your work with two experts in your field. This experience can bring your years of graduate research to a satisfying close.

Find out more about the viva, including who attends, how it is assessed, and when you will receive your final examination outcome.

Read our guidance on preparing for your viva.

What is the viva?

The viva offers you a chance to engage deeply with examiners who are authorities in your area of research and gain valuable feedback, while showcasing your expertise.

Your examiners will assess your depth of knowledge and contribution to your field. In particular, the viva will focus on your ability to explain and contextualise your research.

The viva takes place after the examiners have reviewed your thesis. This includes examining a live performance or exhibition, where applicable. Generally conducted via video conference, your panel will consist of two external examiners and the viva chair. The viva chair is usually your advisory committee chair.

The viva is separate to the completion seminar. Held before thesis submission, the completion seminar is a formative academic milestone where you present your work and celebrate your achievements. You will also receive constructive feedback on improving your thesis before submission.

Overall, the viva is a critical discussion of your own work, on which you are the expert.

Who needs to complete a viva?

If you commenced or were readmitted to PhD or doctoral candidature from 2025 onwards, you must have a viva as part of your examination.

If you commenced your PhD or research doctorate before 2025, you may choose to undertake a viva as part of your examination. You can do this when registering your intention to submit your thesis via the Thesis Examination System (TES).

The viva is not a requirement for candidates enrolled in a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Masters by Research degree.

If you are enrolled in a Joint PhD, a viva examination is usually required as part of the examination process, regardless of when you commenced.

The specific requirements are outlined in your Graduate Researcher Agreement (GR Agreement), where the viva may be referred to as an oral examination or defence. Read more information on Joint PhD examinations.

What is the purpose of the viva?

The viva examination is an important part of your final assessment, to ensure you meet academic and research standards.

The purpose of the viva is to:

• Provide an opportunity for you to discuss your research in detail with examiners who are leaders in their field
• Assure examiners that the work presented is your own and clarify your contribution to any collaborative research
• Enable the examiners to clarify and explore any concerns with the thesis
• Allow the examiners to reach an agreement on an examination outcome
• Enable communication of the examination outcome to you on the day that the viva is held, including, where relevant, an indication of required revisions to the thesis.

It also provides an opportunity for you to respond to any criticism or challenges, as well as to clarify any issues, corrections, or revisions with your examiners

What will the examiners assess?

The viva examination evaluates:

• Your command and critical assessment of your field
• The methods and techniques used in your work and your understanding of their principles, strengths and limitations
• Whether you have generated original knowledge that makes a significant contribution to your field, in which the research objectives are tested or explored according to disciplinary norms
• Your independent approach to your research topic
• Your ability to effectively communicate original research findings to appropriate professional, academic and industry audiences, and in national and international contexts
• Your understanding of, and commitment to, research ethics and integrity
• Your ability to undertake a careful, rigorous and cohesive piece of original research.

Find more information in Schedule 3: Doctoral degree examination criteria and outcomes.

Who attends the viva?

• You: the graduate researcher
• The viva chair: Typically, your advisory committee chair moderates the session to ensure it follows University policies and facilitates discussion.
• Two external examiners: These will be the same examiners who assessed your thesis.

No one else can attend this meeting, unless approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate Research). This means your supervisors will not be present at the viva but can help you prepare.

For a joint PhD, the same external examiners are usually jointly appointed by both institutions, and at least one examiner appointed by the University of Melbourne must participate in the viva. The composition of the viva panel may vary, so you should refer to your GR Agreement for the specific requirements.

What can you expect on the day?

The University of Melbourne’s viva is a formal academic discussion between you and the examiners. The viva typically lasts one to two hours. Its length depends on the depth and flow of the discussion and should not be interpreted as an indicator of the outcome.

The examination will be conducted via video conference unless all participants can participate in person on campus during the scheduled viva. The examination will not be recorded.

Examination rules and expectations

All participants will receive the conduct of the viva guidelines [PDF] in advance to ensure a shared understanding of how the examination will be run.

This document outlines the purpose of the viva, the order of proceedings, and expectations around respectful communication.

Before the viva

Confirm the examination date

The viva will take place approximately three to four months after you submit your thesis, and you are expected to be able to attend. This gives examiners sufficient time to assess your thesis.

The GR Examinations Office will ask you to confirm your availability for the viva when you submit your thesis and try to accommodate your preferences, but this may not always be possible.

Once the GR Examinations Office has sent your thesis to both examiners, they will coordinate with them, your viva chair, and you to find the best date and time for the viva. Generally, your viva will be scheduled for approximately nine weeks from when your thesis is sent to the second examiner.

Once everyone has confirmed the time and date, you will receive a video conference invite via email. Please ensure you check your student email regularly, to avoid missing important messages.

Organise a room booking

Ahead of the viva, contact your local graduate research administrator to organise a room booking for the day. Your GR administrator will advise on the most appropriate location for your viva, depending on when it is scheduled.

You may wish to have your viva chair attend in person, but it is not a requirement.

There are benefits to undertaking the viva in person, with the viva chair present. As a member of your advisory committee, they will be familiar with both you and your research and can provide in-person support on the day.

In situations where your viva is scheduled outside of office hours due to examiner availability, it may be difficult to meet in person. You can work with your local GR administrator to schedule your viva in the way that works best for you.

On the day of the viva

The viva typically lasts one to two hours, depending on the depth and flow of the discussion. The length of the discussion does not indicate the outcome.

The University will conduct the examination via video conference, unless all participants can participate in person on campus during the scheduled time. The viva will not be recorded.

Set up in advance

On the day of the viva examination, you will need to ensure that your technical setup and environment are appropriate.

Materials

You must have a copy of your thesis/dissertation at the examination. We recommend bringing a hard copy.

If you do not have a hard copy available, you may use a digital copy if you can access it without disrupting the viva.

The University also recommends having the following items available during your viva:

• Computer and charger: Use a reliable laptop/PC with a backup device. Keep your device plugged in or fully charged and bring a backup power source, if necessary.
• Your student ID: You may be asked to present your student ID at the start of your viva.

Environment

Creating a quiet space that minimises potential distractions and ensuring a comfortable, yet professional setting will help you stay composed and engaged throughout the viva.

• Log in early: Log in at least 10 minutes before your viva examination to give yourself time to test your audio and video. You will be placed in a virtual waiting room before being invited in by the viva chair.
• Quiet space: Choose a room where you will not be interrupted.
• Do-not-disturb mode: Make sure you leave your mobile phone, smart watch, any other wearable technology (unless medical or assistive) and any undeclared devices in a different room.

Please note: In some cases, the graduate researcher and viva chair may be in a physical meeting room for the examination.

Technical set up

During the viva examination, you must be on camera without using any backgrounds or blurring of your background. You should also stay unmuted throughout the examination.

Before your viva, take the time to ensure your computer, internet and software are all working. Advance preparation can usually prevent technical issues and disruptions.

Please check or test the following:

• Internet connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection and have your viva chair’s contact details ready in case there is an unexpected disconnection.
• Video conference software: Make sure the video conference software you are using is updated and working to avoid last-minute delays or issues during your viva. You may want to ask the viva chair or your supervisors to test the software with you.
• Audio and microphone: Test your audio and microphone before your viva begins. If you expect to be in a noisy environment, consider wearing a headset with a microphone that blocks background noise.
• Background and lighting: Use a neutral, clear background and ensure that the space is well-lit with the light facing you, not behind you.

The University encourages the use of closed captions during the viva. It will be up to your viva chair to ensure these are enabled during your examination.

During your viva

At the start of the viva, all participants of the video conference must confirm that no one else is present other than those authorised to attend.

You will need to clearly identify on camera any materials you have brought into the room, such as your pen and blank notepad. You must also declare any additional electronic devices, such as laptops.

Examination format

• Opening questions: The examination will begin with the examiners asking general opening questions about your thesis/dissertation.
• Discussion: The examiners will ask questions to clarify and explore aspects of your research, methodology and findings, as well as any broader implications of your research.
• Deliberation: At the end of the viva, you will be briefly excused while the examiners discuss the outcome of the viva.
• Outcome summary: The viva chair will invite you back, advise you of the outcome, and summarise any required revisions and expected timelines.
• Formal outcome: Within two weeks of your viva, the Graduate Research Examinations Office will email you the formal outcome of your examination.

The discussion

After the opening questions, the examiners will begin a more detailed discussion of your research.

The viva chair moderates this discussion, and the examiners will have one to two hours to ask questions.

The examiners’ questions will primarily address any areas of concern they have identified. You will have the opportunity to discuss your work with well-reasoned academic arguments or acknowledge where revisions could strengthen your thesis.

Breaks

The viva chair will allow for breaks during the viva to use the bathroom, take prescribed medication, and attend to caring duties. You are also permitted to take a break if you need time to compose yourself.

Each break should be 10 minutes or less. If the examiners have asked you a question, a break can only take place if you have answered the question.

The deliberation

The viva chair will ask you to leave briefly while the examiners discuss and agree on the outcome. This stage should take no more than 30 minutes. The viva chair does not take part in the deliberations but will moderate if required.

During the deliberation

During this time, you may step away to relax and gather your thoughts. You may wish to get some fresh air, have a drink of water, relax with a colleague or friend, or have a bathroom break.

Please make sure you’re back at your computer ahead of time, to ensure you can be invited back into the meeting once the discussion is complete.

The outcome summary

After the deliberation, the viva chair will invite you back to the meeting, advise you of the outcome and outline any required revisions and the timeline for completing them.

Rescheduleding your viva

If you are unable to attend your viva, or a significant proportion of your viva is disrupted due to technical difficulties, please contact the Graduate Research Examinations Office (gr-exams@unimelb.edu.au) team so they are aware of what has happened and can help with rescheduling your viva.

After the viva

How the viva is assessed

After the viva, the examiners will prepare a brief final report outlining the examination outcome and any required revisions to the thesis. The examiners must submit this report to the viva chair within five business days of the viva.

On approval of the chair of examiners, you will receive the formal outcome notification from the GR Examinations Office with the next steps.

The final report and preliminary reports will also be shared with you and your principal supervisor.

Completing the examiner revisions

It is worth remembering that completing the viva is not the final step in finishing your degree.

Once you have received your formal outcome, you must complete any revisions required by your examiners. This might include only minor changes to your thesis or more substantial rewrites.

You will need to make sure you complete these revisions by the required deadline.

What happens next?

Once you complete your viva and any required revisions, you will need to finalise your citation and submit a copy of your thesis via TES for the University's institutional publications repository, Minerva Access.