Submitting Your Thesis and Preparing for your Viva
The final stage of a doctoral degree is writing and submitting your thesis and defending it in an oral examination (viva). Here you can find advice on the key stages of that process. Understanding what to expect and what is required will help you to ensure the process is a smooth one and that you can look ahead to successfully completing your degree.
The best place to start is the Research Degree Examinations Guidance Booklet (PDF, 706 KB). It provides a comprehensive guide to the requirements and expectations relating to the examination of doctoral degrees at the University of St Andrews.
As well as familiarising yourself with the requirements for your thesis and the viva exam, you should also think more broadly about things you will need to do to successfully complete your degree. Vitae suggests six tips for completing your doctorate successfully:
- Plan for the end of your doctorate
- Prioritise
- Work with your supervisor(s)
- Avoid perfectionism
- Take time to consider your next career step
- Make sure you do finish!
Visit the Vitae website to read more about finishing your doctorate.
Planning for the end of your doctorate is something that you should begin well before the start of your final year and should be part of your overall work plan for your degree.
Planning and Writing Your Thesis
Many doctoral students find it daunting to contemplate having to write their thesis. A structured approach to planning your writing and reviewing your progress will help you keep momentum and maintain a sense of control and perspective. As far as possible you should plan to be regularly writing as you progress through your degree – it should not be something that is left entirely to your final year.
Further Advice
- Attend CEED workshops on academic writing or the annual Thesis Bootcamp
- See the Vitae website for general advice on the writing process
- Read the University’s advice on copyright and using third party material in your thesis
- See the Library website for advice on citing references and reference management
Long text documents, such as theses, can be difficult to control and format correctly. Our short guide – Formatting Your Dissertation in Word – has advice on how to use MS Word to make managing your thesis easier. It also has links to online Microsoft resources where you can learn more.
You can find the University’s requirements for formatting your thesis and word limits in the Guidance for submission of theses (PDF, 870 KB).
Wellbeing and Support
Many doctoral students find the process of writing a thesis to be a stressful one. Make use of the support available. Your supervisor(s) can provide academic advice and comment on draft work while the Advice and Support Centre can advise on common issues such as perfectionism and imposter syndrome. Where there are more significant issues, Academic Registry can advise on options for taking a leave of absence or requesting an extension of registration.
Further Advice
- Visit the Advice and Support Centre for advice on wellbeing and common issues
- Read the advice on taking a leave of absence or requesting an extension of registration
- Stay connected with University and Postgraduate Society events
Submitting Your Thesis for Examination
About four months beforehand you should declare your intention to submit your thesis for examination. This is done in MySaint. Academic Registry and your School will then start making arrangements for your viva, helping to minimise the time between you submitting your thesis and the viva taking place. For further advice, please read the Guidance for submission of theses (PDF, 870 KB) .
Preparing for the Viva
The viva is an an oral examination where you will defend your thesis. The purpose of the viva is to provide assurance that you understand your research, can discuss the wider context for your research, and can clarify any areas of uncertainty or doubt. The viva will normally take place within three months of you submitting your thesis. Vivas typically last around two to three hours, although there are not specific rules about the length of the oral examination. If the viva lasts more than two hours the convenor should ensure adequate breaks are provided.
Further Advice
- Read fuhrter information on Research Degrees Examinations
- Attend GRADskills workshops on preparing for the viva and communicating research concisely
- Visit the Vitae website for general advice and a useful viva checklist
- How to Prepare for the Viva Examination
There is separate advice for staff on examining doctoral students.
Final Submission and Electronic Theses
Following the viva voce exam, and the completion of any corrections required by your examiners, you must submit one final electronic copy of your thesis as part of the preparations prior to graduation. You must submit the final copy of your thesis to be eligible to graduate.
Further Advice
For further advice, please read:
- Procedures for submitting final copies of thesis (PDF, 631 KB)
- University Library Fact Sheet: Electronic Theses (PDF, 245 KB)
- University Library Fact Sheet: Copyright for Electronic Theses (PDF, 270 KB)
Beyond Your Doctorate – Careers
Over the course of your doctorate you will have developed and demonstrated a range of personal and professional competencies. These will include essential skills such as communication and problem solving as well as higher-level skills such as discipline-specific methodologies, analytical skills, and project management.
Further Advice
- Visit the Careers Centre for advice on career planning and articulating skills to employers
- Attend GRADskills workshops on job applications, interviews, and postdoctoral funding
- See the Vitae website for researcher career stories and CV examples
Remember as well that, as a graduate of St Andrews, you are automatically a member of our worldwide alumni community.
Further Advice and Questions
You can find advice on most topics by using Ask a Question.
Please contact the PGR team in the Academic Registry if you need further advice or cannot find an answer to your question.