Playing devils advocate here but surely you knew you had a viva and it was most likely sometime after submission (prior to your unfortunate accident)? Had you not already prepared for it?

That probably sounds harsher than it's meant. If you areally are in a bind and are struggling to get it completed by then - ask to change the date but it will probably only be by a day or two.

Don't get too stressed about it. You can't 'really' prepare for the questions as you don't know what they are! You will know everything about your thesis, leaving it and going back I found made no difference! It's 20m which is barely nothing. Don't paraphrase your thesis - they've read it already! Most people score more on their viva than their thesis.

So you have done "BSc, MSc, msc, PGCert, phd - a near complete self funded professional doctorate (not a phd), nearly 12 years experience in psychologically relevant psychology graduate roles, Msc lecturing and a few postdoctoral jobs" and you feel you've "completely failed at life".. those are some high standards you are setting yourself!!! Sounds like you have done very well in life.

Good luck with the interview.. just keep plugging away. I know Thomas Edison was referring to Genius but I think it applies to life "is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

Grade won't matter as far as I am aware. I came out of my viva for my MSc and a lecturer there and then mentioned doing a Doctorate, he had no idea what my grade was he just knew I would definitely pass and he liked my work.

I know getting a distinction can become a bit of an obsession (I like you missed by a whisker and was livid as my lecturer thought I was easily in the 70's) but an MSc is a big achievement, time will make you see that.

Enjoy that you have passed and plan for the future.

duplicate

During my viva one examiner agreed with my seperation of complexity and risk and the other didn't, to the point they nearly started questioning each other!
My experience was that I had spent so long on the subject I could speak about it until the cows came home, so I wasn't nervous. I tried not to paraphase anything in my work because my thinking was they have already read it and are looking for supporting or different answers to test the depth of my knowledge.
Sit back and enjoy it... you know it all and this is your chance to shine! It sounds arrogant but I went in with the mindset that this was my opportunity to make them listen to me bang on for a change :)

AOE26
P.S. I did well in my viva!

Hi Electron23... grats on the BSc.

When you say "worth the money" can you expand on what you hope to gain from it, how you intend to use it and where?

Quite a list there! I think most of that you are going to have research yourself as I don't think it's standard information.

Have to say, I was work sponsored first year so getting on the PgDip was fairly simple. The MSc second year was based on my previous years work.. so again, it was quite easy - my interview over email was like this "who is funding this?" "me" "welcome aboard"

Looks like it's a good idea to do a PhD in robotics then.

Just explain to him that YOU haven't been given the money but there is money available for expenses and there are tight guidelines on what you can claim for. You will have to apply for the expenses, so putting in a claim for the gas bill will not get approved!

This is going to be unpopular advice on a post grad forum but I would say a degree in cyber security will not help you with your own company as your study will be too focused. I engage vendors regularly and have no idea on their academic background.
Get some indepth experience and understand the field you are in and what companies are looking for when approaching a vendor (current threats, ability to pen test, ethical testing, automation, security hardening, vulnerability notification etc).
Then if you wish to raise your profile within the industry publish white papers through your company, this could be the result of post grad research but does not have to be.

What is your goal? To move into security or are you simply interested personally?

I work in IT so have a fair amount of experience with security and what are the requirements.

Go straight for a MSc.

Have you discussed why you are using cards as opposed to simply verbally asking?

It is still qualitative but I would touch on why the method was to use a card. Would you have seen different results if not using cards etc

I did my MSc part time over 2 years. The first year (PgDip) was hard work.. not sure on the total hours. The second year was MSc and is best to plan in the recommended 600 hours required. I easily did that - I probably did closer to 700 hours.

It sounds a lot.. and it is (especially as I moved house... started a new job... had child number 2 in that time) but you just find the time. Get into a groove!

I travel by train every day to work, so did 1 hour reading on that, then every night worked 8.30 - 10.30. Had Saturday off and worked Sunday for a few hours.

Can you do it? Of course you can.. just keep chipping away at it.. remember you'll have a MSc at the end!! PM me if you want anymore advice/details :)

Post the link.. I am game!