Hi everyone ..

So, I'm awaiting for a month or so now the outcome of my resubmission .. I have no idea the ''normal'' length of time to hear back though I'm guessing it takes a while.

The examiners were happy with my initial viva but can call me for another viva should they want to do so - as I have not heard anything yet, and the examiners would have been asked when sent the thesis, if a second viva was required, I am not sure what to think.

Is all this good news or bad news? And can the resubmission be failed without at least giving me chance to defend further in a second viva?

Thanks for your help! Any comments, experiences most welcome! Good luck everyone!

Dear all,

So the moments are finally here.. that void in which the thesis disappears into nothingness!

After a year of revising and redrafting my thesis, it is now with the examiners.

Does anyone have any experience of how long the decision took to be made? My supervisors say that if I have met the examiner's directives (which I hopefully have and have addressed these in a supporting document) then the thesis will be passed and no additional changes can be requested. However, what if the changes are still not satisfactory? It is a humanities PhD so is vulnerable to subjectivity. And typically, each time I look at it I notice a typo or grammar error DESPITE having been proof read. I swear that these things grow overnight ..

The thesis is much improved, and Im proud of my perseverance - however a lot is resting on the verdict - I want to remain in academia and have great opportunities should the thesis pass. It seems that either it will pass or it will fail, so there is a reasonable (50:50) chance the verdict could go either way..

Any sharing of experiences will be greatly appreciated!

All the best!

Hi, @Delta, thank you. I intended to provide advice (not criticism), and sometimes support comes in the form of perspective. I know what it is like to be required to work further but I also know that the ends are great - the advice is there to help us, and I certainly feel much more proud of my thesis now than prior to the viva. And the only way is to delete your life for a while, knuckle down, don't over-analyse or become insecure to the extent you have to justify every of the examiner's directives - it is a thesis, not a monster. Being methodical is the only way. If you feel like a break, then take one. Otherwise it will be counter-productive, but Pineapple, I can assure you that the days onward from when you submit will feel like a holiday even in dark, freezing cold UK! And of course, post as much as you like - and this forum is for support, never negativity. But at the same time, we need to be aware of when we are causing more stress than necessary to ourselves - hence PhD = Permanent Health Damage!
Oh and LarryDavid - see you 8pm on Friday! Pineapple, good luck! The worst, believe it or not, is over! :-)

@larrydavid - very funny! @Pineapple29 - we are all working hard, and feel like it will never end. Do you really want this PhD because you always sound so negative about the work that you are required to do? Every university has rules about the word limit which we have to respect - and it seems that you submitted knowing you were way above the maximum. Right now, its best to accept what you need to do, and simply, just do it. Its a PhD - its not supposed to be painful or torture and it is heartbreaking in some countries where I have been where there are young people desperate for such chances. Remember this PhD is your privilege - make the most of it.