Fan Mo
Fernanda Bajanca
Quentin Loisel
PhD viva UK
8 Comments
I am wondering where you learned this two examiners rule about Marie Curies? I am from a program in UK with 14 marie curie fellows. 2 of them already had their viva with only one examiner. We were not informed about the necessity of two examiners in our program. So I don't think this is the case.
Hello Salvatore,
I had 2 external examiners and 1 internal examiner for my Marie Curie-funded PhD (admittedly some time ago... in 2010!). But I think this was not because I was funded by a Marie Curie grant, but rather because the EU requires Marie Curie PhD students to be employees of the university, in contrast to most UK-funded PhDs, who are students and not employees. My university required 2 external examiners for any employee viva, but only 1 for a student viva. I guess the requirements might vary between universities?
Hello Eline,
thank you. You are right, it is because I am an employee of Durham university, that is the reason. So I guess I shall have a similar Commission.
Hi Salvatore,
I did my PhD at Cardiff University (UK NERC funded), and I had one external examiner, one internal examiner, both of whom read my thesis, and there was also a chairperson from within the department, that was there to make sure the process was fair (and who doesn't read the thesis), and I think this is fariy standard practise.
It is typical to just have one external and one internal examiner in Britain. Unlike mainland Europe the UK PhD viva is always behind closed doors with no public audience. You can ask your supervisor to attend if you wish, but they are not allowed to say anything during the viva. I enjoyed mine, as it was one of the few times where you get to talk at length about your research to people that have read your work and are genuinely interested in it.
I'd be happy to help if you have any other questions about the process.
Best Wishes,
Jennifer
Hi Salvatore,
I did my PhD at Cardiff University (UK NERC funded), and I had one external examiner, one internal examiner, both of whom read my thesis, and there was also a chairperson from within the department, that was there to make sure the process was fair (and who doesn't read the thesis), and I think this is fariy standard practise.
It is typical to just have one external and one internal examiner in Britain. Unlike mainland Europe the UK PhD viva is always behind closed doors with no public audience. You can ask your supervisor to attend if you wish, but they are not allowed to say anything during the viva. I enjoyed mine, as it was one of the few times where you get to talk at length about your research to people that have read your work and are genuinely interested in it.
I'd be happy to help if you have any other questions about the process.
Best Wishes,
Jennifer
Hi Salvatore
I completed my PhD in 2016 from Quee's University Belfast, United Kingdom. My PhD viva only included one external and one internal examiner and a chairperson (to see that everything is fair during the viva procedure). The chairperson won't ask any question related to your thesis/ research. I think in most of the UK university this procedure is followed. It the university who has to ward you the PhD degree and not the Marie Curie body. Even, though each university has its own guidelines to be followed. If you have any confusion you may contact your supervisor or the student guidance centre (available in each university). They will certainly help you with this!! I don't think being a Marie Curie has any thing to do with the selection of number of examiners. Hope this helps!!
Best
Kishlay
Hi Salvatore,
I did my MC funded PhD at Oxford and was only required to have one external and one internal for my viva. I think it depends on how much your university considers you an employee. I was listed as an employee but, It was made plain that I was not considered a real employee and would not be granted any of the benefits of being an employee (mainly this involved pensions). However, I had a friend that was not doing a MC fellowship and was an employee of a different UK university while doing her PhD. She was required to have one internal and two external. This made sense in her case. I think two external for a MC PhD viva would be unusual.
Good luck with your viva!
Carrie
Hi Salvatore,
I am wondering where you learned this two examiners rule about Marie Curies? I am from a program in UK with 14 marie curie fellows. 2 of them already had their viva with only one examiner. We were not informed about the necessity of two examiners in our program. So I don't think this is the case.