At the end of my extension year, if I did not pay the write up year fees or submit in time, my supervisors said I was risking not receiving a degree and I would not be allowed to attend a viva. Hence the pressure to submit in time!

======= Date Modified 17 Jan 2011 17:37:25 =======
Hi. I had a similar PhD studentship, but with the ESRC.

In my fourth year (extension year) I received no further funds from the ESRC, so I found myself a job at another university (UCL).

I paid £450 to the university for continued supervision in my extension year. If I failed to submit at the end of the extension year, I would have had to pay over £900 pounds (as a penalty or something along those lines!).

I hope this helps!

Sorry rant ahead. No sign of my viva date and I'm on the verge of bursting into tears! :(

My examiners received my thesis in November (although I submitted in October), but this waiting around for a viva date is really just an awful awful state of limbo. My university is simply saying that I need to just wait, keep calm and try and remain positive. Supervisors said in late December its going through normally.

I can't bare this anymore!! I would just like to know either way (ie if I'll have a viva in Feb or March or whether their pulling it from examination), for the simple reason that I want to move on with my life.

I don't have a job at the moment so I'm literally sitting here waiting for news on my viva date and trying to distract myself with reading for my new course, going on long walks, looking after my dad and working on my thesis. I feel incredibly unhappy, miserable with virtually no motivation and worried about the outcome.

Does anyone have any tips on what to do (other than work on the thesis ) during waiting for a viva date?!

I'm constantly receiving emails of PhD students who have passed their PhDs (no corrections, major and minors) and I wonder if I'll be in their shoes someday.

I don't think I can take much more of this! At least with a date, I know I have something to work towards, but without a date, I simply don't know what will happen with my thesis :(

Goodness, failing outright is certainly the nightmare scenario! eeeeeek suddenly feeling anxious regarding forthcoming viva!

======= Date Modified 12 Jan 2011 01:06:38 =======
Hi Mrs!

I was in your position prior to submission (although our situations are very different-I'm single and recently turned 30!).

I was forced to submit my thesis by the end of September 2010 as it marked the end of four years of PhD study. I had no option for an additional extension. Basically, if I did not submit by the September 2010, I would not receive a degree! I was an ESRC student so there was added pressure for me to submit in time.

I submitted on the 30th of September, but I because my examiners were not finalised, I had just over 1 week to make improvements to my thesis whilst they organised my examiners. They basically turned a blind eye for a few days to allow me to finish it. I had to finish making the changes and I submitted in the first week of October 2010. My examiners received my thesis in November 2010.

My thesis was rushed piece of work and my supervisors did not read my thesis or approve my thesis before I submitted it because I simply did not have a finished thesis during the final few months of my extension year.

I'm still waiting for a viva date and I'm currently fearing the worst ie whwhether their contemplating pulling it from examination. My supervisors feel there is a possibility of an MPhil ie a failed PhD if I'm not prepared for my viva or if I produce a poor defence or if I'm not clear on my main research questions. They think that a pass with minor corrections is simply not an option and the most likely outcome will be a pass with major corrections, although there is a possibility of a fail/MPhil.

What I wanted to say is that I wouldn't wish my current feelings/state on anyone. I'm 30 years old and I want to move on from my PhD and perhaps find a husband and start a family (biological clock ticking away!). However, I'm left in a state of limbo knowing full well that there's a possibility I could fail at the last hurdle. I can't sleep, I'm very depressed and I feel like walking away from this thesis and admitting defeat because I know there's a chance I could fail. I've already requested that I walk from my thesis and not defend it if there's a chance I could fail it (ie I don't want to be humiliated or go through it and fail), but my supervisors are sort of ignoring my requests for quitting and are proceeding with the viva. I'm fully expecting an email from my supervisors stating that my examiners have decided not to proceed with the viva- given the state of my thesis. Reading over my thesis, I know 100% my thesis was substandard, but I know it contributes to knowledge given that's its completely new area of research and validates the work of my external examiners work so I'm clinging on to the hope that my examiners will allow me to resubmit. My internal examiner know my research very well (he made the final say on whether I should be upgraded or not) and my external examiner is one of the few academics specialising in my field. I also know that my examiners are not harsh examiners, so I'm hoping and praying I'll be ok. They also know that my thesis was unfinished and not checked by my supervisors before I submittied it.

My advice would be to plead for an extension if you can. Or, perhaps you could work on your thesis whilst examiners are organised etc etc. Contact your supervisors immediately. I was in big trouble because I kept my head in the sand and I failed to keep my supervisors informed of my progress during the final few weeks leading up to submission (and I'll probably suffer for it!). I'm dreading the final outcome and the viva as I'm expecting a grilling. I only needed 1-2 weeks to prove read etc etc but if you could get an extra few weeks then you would feel better for it I'm sure.

Best of luck!!

Thanks for posting this Chuff. As shown from my other posts, despite my attempts in staying positive, I'm desperately worrying about failing my PhD so I would be delighted if this is true across the board. I know my PhD is brand new insight into an under-researched area, partly validates my external examiner work and I've introduced brand new method tools and sampling directories to advance my subject area (that my external examiner is one of the few academics in the UK with some speciality), so all in all, I hope I'll be in a position to argue that I've made some contribution to knowledge in some way.

My supervisors think there's a possibility I could fail my PhD if I'm not clear on my research aims and main questions, so perhaps there is more to it than 'an advance in method'.

======= Date Modified 06 Jan 2011 16:18:12 =======
Just wanted to thank you Jojo for taking the time to inform us of your viva. Sounds very strange indeed!

I just wanted to congratulate you again for getting through the viva in one piece. I really would LOVE to be in your position now. I'm fully expecting them to say 'I'm sorry to say your thesis has not met the required standard and the best we can offer you is an MPhil'.  I'm in a horrible state of limbo as I'm still waiting on my viva date and therefore fearing the worst.

JoJo, you've worked so hard on your thesis to give up now. I hope you decide to continue with the revise and resubmit/major corrections rather than leaving with an MPhil.

I hope you're taking it easy and not being too hard on yourself there.

Also, as my supervisors are predicting major corrections (with a possibility of an MPhil if I'm not crystal clear on my thesis aims and areas of where to improve or fail to defend my thesis adequately in the viva), my main supervisor keeps telling me that she had major corrections and she had to resubmit her thesis and she keeps repeating that major corrections is not the end of the world. My supervisor is very well known within her field and is a very senior academic in my department so receiving major corrections has not affected her career at all.

I'm thinking of you!

You passed Jojo thats the main thing! It could have been A LOT worse- they could have refused major corrections and offered an MPhil only (which is what I'm fearing and expecting in my case) or they could have failed you outright. You also do not have to go through another viva again so thats another good thing! (unless you do a secondary doctorate like the doctorate in clinical psychology- which is what I'm hoping to do in September). In short, they think your work is worthy of a doctorate and they have agreed to award you with your doctorate after a revise and resubmit. You WILL receive your doctorate JoJo, just after a little more work.

All the best, E x

======= Date Modified 05 Jan 2011 20:38:41 =======
Congratulations JoJo :)

I was thinking about you all day today! I'm hoping and praying for major corrections in my viva in feb so at the very least at least you passed!!!! (I'm fully expecting an MPhil, but I'm working on trying to stay positive and show why I deserve a resubmission rather than an MPhil)

I hope you're having a good rest I'm sure you will receive your PhD in no time at all!!

Thanks for your continued posts over the last few months. I'll be very interested to find out more about your viva!

All the best,

E x

Hi JoJo.

I just wanted to wish you the very best for tomorrow. I'm sure you will pass with flying colours (judging from your posts).

I'm still waiting on my viva date and I've pretty much given up on my thesis let alone passing my viva.

I'll be thinking of you!

All the best, x

======= Date Modified 18 Dec 2010 12:29:16 =======
I'm feeling a little better about my thesis- thanks for everyone's feedback.

Does anyone know of anyone who was told their thesis will be major corrections/revise and resubmit with a possibility of an MPhil/failed PhD and get through ok? By that I mean passing the viva......(either minor or major corrections).

I know I'm going to have to do everything I can to stay positive and implement one hell of a strong defence to get through this. I'm trying desperately hard to block out 'possibility of an MPhil' out of my head. I know it was only my supervisors views and they said it's more likely to be revise and resubmit but it's really difficult to block out the views of a failed PhD/MPhil from experienced PhD examiners!  I really don't want to go through the humiliation of failing the viva if that's what's ahead of me

I'm really sorry to 'bump' this post on this forum!

Congratulations Sheena and others with recent PhD success stories! x

======= Date Modified 14 Dec 2010 12:40:23 =======
Thanks for the feedback.

My sups said my thesis contains a huge amount of analyses, results and is very original and taps into a very unexplored area of research area that extends and validates the findings of my external examiners work. So all in all, I know there's quite a few positives with my work- I just need to focus on the positives (and somehow erase comments on MPhil possibility out of my head). The thesis was just too long with a very weak discussion chapter which is where the major corrections comes into it. As a result, they think there's virtually no chance of passing with minor corrections.

Whilst my supervisors were really lovely yesterday with loads of tips to prepare for my viva, they said there is a chance of failure at least in obtaining a doctorate. It's completely up to me to swing the balance in the viva. My examiners were told what has happened and that my thesis was not complete and a rushed piece of work. My supervisors said my examiners are very fair examiners and very sensitive to the issues surrounding my thesis area- which I'm also hoping will help my chances.

All I can do is concentrate on the strengths of my work (which my sups think is very extensive for a PhD) and try my best to BELIEVE I can pass with major corrections. I just want one chance to fix it.

Thanks for your feedback on the MPhil issue Jojo- really helpful. Both my supervisors have hinted that I'll receive an MPhil throughout my PhD journey, but I've managed to prove them wrong (with passing the upgrade with flying colours and my internal examiner had the final decision to upgrade me). I just need to find some inner strength to prove them wrong again and most of all, prove to myself that I can do this! I need to somehow find the strength within myself to fight my corner and consider that failure (ie an MPhil) is not an option.

I'm aware I seem to be fixating on the mention of a possibility of an MPhil (which is running through my head constantly), but they were very clear that the most likely outcome will be major corrections. I need to remember my supervisors comments were just their comments and my examiners make the final decision- so thanks for pointing that out!

My dad is going to hospital again this week for a full check on his heart. I personally don't think he's going to make it for the next six months. If he has another stroke then it will probably be fatal. My dad had a total of four minor strokes over the last 4 months (including during the last few weeks of submission). I'm currently spending most of my time making sure my dad is ok and ensuring he's comfortable, but also thinking about my PhD. I don't remember feeling this low and scared before which is where the negative thinking is coming into play. Hopefully the above will work themselves out over the next few months. Thanks for the support everyone :)

======= Date Modified 13 Dec 2010 20:40:30 =======
Thanks for the responses.

My supervisors are well aware of my dads illness- I informed them last week (last friday). During supervision (today), they said it will be revise and resubmit and the slight chance of leaving with an MPhil :(

The prospect of potentially losing a parent and my PhD is upsetting :(

======= Date Modified 13 Dec 2010 20:01:34 =======
I found out today I'll have my viva in February.

Recently my supervisors informed me that the most likely outcome will be revise and resubmit. They also said that there is a slight possibility of receiving an MPhil. The mention of a possibility of receiving an MPhil was devastating for me! Now I have MPhil/failed PhD running through my head!!! :( Disaster.

Although I know the final result is not set in stone yet and this is supervisors views (who happen to be very experienced PhD examiners).

My dad is really ill at the moment and I may lose both my dad and my PhD in the next few months which is very upsetting indeed! I feel like giving up! :(

======= Date Modified 13 Dec 2010 11:51:27 =======
Hello everyone!

Congratulations to those of you who passed their vivas :) I really hope I'll pass someday and I really wish I could be optimistic enough and believe I can pass!

I submitted my PhD in October and I'm still waiting on my viva date :( There was a slight delay and the examiners only received my thesis in November, so I will likely have a viva date scheduled for end of January or most likely in February.

My dad recently experienced a series of strokes (four in total) and is at a very high risk of a heart attack. Needless to say, due to worrying about my dad, I really haven't been able to focus and prepare for my viva!
:( If the worse happens, I don't know what I'll do!

I'm still fully expecting a fail for my PhD or at least major corrections and I'm still finding it very hard to work through a clearly sub-standard thesis. I'm meeting with my supervisors this week for a little reassurance and prep talk regarding my PhD.

Given the recent family circumstances, I really hope I haven't left it too late to prepare for my viva. My supervisors said not to worry about extensive preparations just yet as I'm still waiting on a date.

Anyway, looks like the next few weeks and months will be very upsetting and stressful! :( I just want this all to be over sooner rather than later so I can move on from it and get on with my life.

I'm still expecting this thesis to be pulled from the examination!

======= Date Modified 17 Nov 2010 11:18:57 =======
Hey

Thanks for the messages. I guess I was just having a weak/off day yesterday. I have a more concentrate idea on dates now- ie likely to be in Feburary 2011 now so I have a little more time to prepare for it.

I'm feeling a little better today.

Sadly my supervisors have nothing positive to say which is feeding my negativity. I'm just going to concentrate on previous feedback from them ie very extensive for a PhD, concentrate on how original, new and unexplored my work is within my field and concentrate on what I've contributed to the my area for future research along with findings from a large scale study (ie UK directories and brand new tools)

I'm just going to see what happens and hope for the best. Also going to work on thesis typo list and draw out acknowledged limitations, gaps and weaknesses to contribute to my defense.

I'm looking forward to beyond my PhD now, that is doctorate number 2 for 2011 entry! (ie practitioner doctorate leading to chartership in psychology!)