What happens at the viva
The viva lets you demonstrate understanding and ownership of your research, clarify weaknesses or ambiguities and defend the work against the award standard.
Before questioning
The examiners meet privately with the Exam Panel Chair to plan questions and structure. Supervisors cannot attend that meeting or receive the independent examiner reports. An outcome cannot be revealed in advance: both the written work and oral performance matter.
Who attends?
You, the examiners and EPC. One supervisor may observe only with your express permission on RD15; they do not participate in examining you and must leave during the post-viva examiner discussion. The general rule permits no other attendees. Any needed assessment adjustment should be formally arranged in advance through Disability support and adjustments.
During the examination
The EPC ensures fair, reasonable conduct, appropriate questions, clarification where needed and adequate response time. You may take as many breaks as you need without explaining why. If repeated breaks disrupt the exam to the point it is detrimental, the chair can halt and arrange another viva.
The framework does not give one fixed duration for every viva. Ask your supervisors/EPC about practical expectations. The candidate and observing supervisor cannot record it.
Afterwards
You and any supervisor withdraw while examiners decide. You are invited back to hear the outcome informally and understand the next steps. The Operations Team then sends the formal outcome and written amendments. That formal communication, not the viva date, starts the correction period.
The EPC coordinates reports. §7.10 gives a 10-day paperwork limit; the appendix says 10 working days for feedback. These are staff reporting expectations, not a guaranteed letter-arrival date. Ask the Operations Team/EPC if waiting for documents.
Sources: Framework §7.10 and Appendix 6, pp. 80–81, 109–112. Read the source.