You'll be judged on your proposal not your age. I got a scholarship at the age of 42, others were a few years older. Age is not a problem in my experience, though I do worry about starting out career wise as an "older worker".

Thanks for the replies. I did initially feel elated and then I read the report. I feel a lot better today having chatted with my supervisor (who accused the examiners of wanting blood but then he was happy with my resubmission). I've found a way of responding that shouldn't be too difficult even though I worry that what they want is quite substantial. Its a bit frustrating that I can't contact the examiners to ensure that what I'm thinking of doing will meet the requirements. But he ho - I'm a Dr. at last! Though I do feel a bit like Shroedinger's cat at the moment. Need to hurry up and get out of the box!

To Dr. Ywan459: you certainly should be celebrating you passed the viva with minors! I wish I had. You just need to clear up the confusion over the questions section which sounds like a report of the thesis and viva and so separate from the corrections required. Do you have another supervisor you can check this with? Or anyone else in your department?

I do find that there is a lot of confusion surrounding the outcome of the oral examination, and supervisors don't always understand the procedures either. It makes it very stressful for students.

Today I finally got the email I've been waiting for following the resubmission of my thesis. I was eating out with my kids and spouse when I got the message which began "I am pleased to inform you, that your examiners have recommended that you be awarded your degree subject to revisions being made to the thesis to the satisfaction of your examiner(s). Please note that you have been given one month to submit your revisions to both of your examiners" and ended with "congratulations". I whooped and informed my family that they could refer to me as Dr. from now on!

Then I read the report. The changes they want are to my mind substantial though they say they are minor and can be done within a month. On reading what is required my mood completely changed and I apologised to all for misleading them. I'm now not sure where I stand. I had wanted to celebrate but don't feel I can. Is this outcome similar to what would have happened had I come out of my viva with minor revisions - fellow students who had this were considered to have come out of their viva as Drs. I know its daft but my ability to be positive about tackling the changes is influenced by whether I can feel I have passed.

Any thoughts out there. Should I be celebrating tonight rather than feeling miserable?