Hello, after reading some of the posts I just thought I'd put my story here for people to read.

Last month I had my PhD viva and was demolished! I was asked to do redo some work which should take a few months however I've had a rough 4 years here with a working on something I rapidly grew to hate so I'm seriously considering just waking.

I feel my internal examiner was very aggressive in their questioning during my viva (which was over 6 hours) and that I wasn't given a chance to defend my work or show any understanding of it as she talked for 80 % of the time. She rubbished work based on something that 'someone told her' which flew in the face of decades of literature but insisted she was right. It also seemed a little like any work which may not have given the result she'd hope for was disregarded. I could go on but I won't. My supervisor finally came through for me a fought my corner well but the decision stood - more work, rewrite and a second viva with the same examiners. Following my initial run in with them I don't want a round two. I should point out that I agree with the majority of the changes they have asked for.

My examiners were not my choice, I had asked not to have them however I was left with no other option. After talking to a few people in my group and elsewhere I feel I may have been caught in the cross-fire of some politics I don't understand as there has been tension between the internals department and my department over some issues. As anyone else had a similar feeling or ever felt they were treated harshly in viva for reasons other than their work?