What are you looking to do it in? Your record sounds pretty good. If it's any help I got a 2:1 and have a masters but didn't get a distinction - in fact the research/dissertation part of my MSc was my lowest mark, and I've just submitted my PhD thesis - in Psychology.

I guess it hinges on what you want to study. Sciences tend to be more well funded and with your results I guess it wouldn't be too problematic. However funded PhDs in Arts and Social Sciences are more scarce, and I'm guessing that competition is more fierce for those subject areas. Therefore a First class hons in an undergrad may be a necessity. Perhaps someone else can advise. Overall, I think your chances would be pretty good based on your overall results.

33!

All I can say is, a PhD does nothing for wrinkles - thank god for Botox! :)

MistaG you have a point. I have thought about his hard since posting, and decided not to request it. Although I still don't think it is an unreasonable thing to ask, I have left it too late to start organising it now. And you are right, it does look too defensive.

I am trying top remain positive and everong on here has been great at giving sonstructive advice. I have arranged a mock viva with supervisors and one of them has agreed to sit in on the viva with me (we are allowed this at my uni). I have also since seen my GP and have been prescribed some beta blockers to manage my anxiety.

Thank you for your replies and kind words.

I am seeing my GP tomorrow morning, alone in my office now, have been crying and trying to compose myself. Have spoke to a very good friend today too who I will see later.

I've emailed my supervisor asking for a practice viva - I'd like to do this sooner rather than later,so I can identify any weaknesses.

I have had a few counselling sessions recently, which helped, but the counsellot works limited hours and as I've just started a new job I don't want to take the p*** and take time out for counselling. On the surface, I'm doing Ok in my job and want to maintain that impression.

Thank you all again, so much

Hi, I know I've posted about this before so sorry to bring it up again, but I really need some advice on how to deal with waiting for a viva. It's still 6 weeks away. I can go fo a while feeling OK, but then I get waves of anxiety that almost feel painful, to the point that I can't get my breath. I have a job that I love, and I'm just about managing to hold it together without revealing any of the PhD related mental health probs I've had. I fear I will slip. I fear I will get to the viva and lose my composure, start crying and be too overwhelmed with the situation to continue. I feel like just running away and hiding, sleeping for a thousand years. I am seeing my GP this week, and feel I need to ask for something like valium or a beta blocker, or at least increase my anti-d dose. Has anyone else had these and if so did they help?

CC, I;, so sorry you're feeling like this.

I think you need to be compassionate to yourself. Whilst I agree that it is important to finish the PhD, I thnk you need to step back from it for a while.

I have battled with depression and anxiety throuhgout my PhD and still going through it now. I took some time off and it helped to just do nothing for a while, to regain my focus. A good supervisor will understand that. I wish you well :)

Hey bobby, so sorry you've been having a rough time. I have to agree with XJR here - your masters is very important adn shoul not be done in your spare time. Is it an ESRC case studentship?

If your supervisors continue to belittle the masters component, you should (politely) remind them that you won't be able to fulfil their expectations unless you pass the masters - as the ESRC or whoever is funding you will require you to. They won't fund the PhD research if you don't. Your supervisors had better realise that pretty sharpish and should be encouraging your progress.

As for arguing amongst themselves in front of you, that is unprofessional. Id there a general postgrad tutor whom you could discuss things with?

I have never known anyone "fail" a viva, but I know people who got unexpected results (IE: referrals). Obviously I wasn't there but at least 2 of them were treated unfairly by their external, who thought that his/her way was the ONLY way of doing things.

The subjectivity of the UK examination process concerns me. I would prefer a public defence like those in place in Europe. I posted a thread yesterday about the possibility of recording my viva in case of a dispute - I don't think this is unreasonable. But everyone I speak to advises me against it. It seems ludicrous that something upon which so much depends cannot be recorded. I know there's an argument about it looking like you don't trust the examiner, but if you don't know them and what their examination reputation is like, why *should* you trust them?
Sorry about the soapbox, but I feel that there are just not enough procedures in place to safeguard students in this very one-sided system.

congrats Dr.W!!!

Thanks for the reply - yes, supervisors can sit in, and I've no objection to mine doing this. (I don't think they can say anything)

However in the case of a dispute, how myuc difference would this actually make? The supervisors are biased as they WANT the student to pass!

I asked one of my supervisors and he said he definitely wouldn't recommend it, as it would "create the wrong impression". I am actually quite flabbergasted at this, I think there is nothing unreasonable in what I am asking and am quite surprised that no-one else has thought of this. Particularly as vivas are not conducted in public and are so subjective.

It just seems to me bizarre that it's not recorded because it's generally "not the done thing", which in my opinion is not a sufficiently good reason.

I've got mine coming up in January, and have been wondering about a small thing...

Does anyone know if it's possible to record the whole thing? Has anyone ever done this or knows of anyone who has?

My reason for asking is because in the UK it is such a subjective process. To a large extent I think no matter how good a student is, I have known cases where they've been unfairly treated by an external. It seems to have all boiled down to how the examiner felt on the day.

I know this is not the case for most vivas, but I want to protect myself from all angles in case I am treated unreasonably, and would feel better with the knowledge that the whole thing was recorded. I actually think it would be for everybody's benefit, not just me as a student.

Ooooh, I've got everything crossed - please let us know how it went, DJW!

GOOD LUCK DJW!

I'll be thinking of you

As for what to wear, don't wear anything that you would not feel comfortable in. I'm planning on a buttoned shirt-style dress with knee high boots for mine, smart, but what I'd usually wear rather than trying to be someone I'm not with a suit.

All the very best!

Which is good, nice to have it confirmed, but it's not til the 2nd week in JANUARY - after Xmas and New Year - PANTS!

Anyone else got iminent vivas?

Agree with what Nimrod says.

Also the website may not have the full details, just a brief overview of the vacancy that is available. If you look at universities' own web pages or request more detailed info directly from them, they will list their requirements more specifically