Common Dissertation Viva Questions and How to Answer Them

Your viva is approaching. You know the format. You've prepared. But you still don't know exactly what they'll ask. You can't predict every question. But you can prepare for the common ones. Here are the questions that show up in most vivas, plus strategies for answering them well.

"Tell us about your dissertation"

The introduction to your dissertation serves as a contract with the reader, setting out what you intend to argue, how you plan to support that argument, and why the topic deserves the attention you are giving it.

This is the opening question at virtually every viva. It's not specific. You get to frame the whole thing.

Your answer should take 5-10 minutes. It should cover:

• Your research question.
• Why it matters.
• What you did to answer it.
• What you found.
• Why it's considerable.

Don't say: "Um, well, I looked at stuff and found things."

Do say: "My dissertation investigates how X influences Y regarding Z. This matters because current understanding suggests A, but I found B. I used a mixed-methods approach: first I surveyed 200 participants to understand the picture, then I conducted 15 interviews to understand the mechanisms. I found that the relationship between X and Y is more complex than previously thought, specifically in relation to Z. This has implications for practise and for future research."

You've been clear, concise, and thorough. Your examiners now understand your whole project. They'll ask follow-up questions on specific aspects.

"Why did you choose this topic?"

This is asking about your motivation and your thinking.

Don't say: "It seemed interesting."

Do say: "I was working in [field] and I noticed that X was a gap in the literature. Everyone was researching A and B, but nobody had looked at X. That gap motivated me to do this research."

Or: "I read a paper that showed Y, but I thought it might be different in context Z. That made me curious to test Y in Z, which led to my research question."

You're showing thoughtful decision-making. You didn't randomly pick a topic. You had reasons.

"What's your main contribution to the field?"

This is asking you to articulate the significance of your work.

Don't say: "I added to knowledge about X."

Do say: "My contribution is twofold. First, methodologically, I showed that you can combine survey and interview data using [specific approach], which hasn't been done before in this field. Second, substantively, I showed that X is more complex than current literature suggests, specifically because of Y factor. This changes how practitioners approach X."

You're articulating both methodological and substantive contribution. You're being specific.

"How does your work relate to [major theorist/study]?"

Your examiners will likely ask about major figures in your field.

Don't panic if they mention someone you didn't cite. Acknowledge it: "That's a good point. I'm familiar with their work on A. I see how it relates to my finding on Y."

If you didn't read their work, say so honestly: "I'm not as familiar with that work. How do you see it about my findings?" They might explain. Now you're having a real conversation.

Students who develop the habit of writing regularly throughout their final semester rather than leaving everything for the final few weeks tend to produce work that demonstrates more careful thought, stronger structure, and a more confident academic voice than those who resort to last-minute marathon sessions.

Don't pretend to know something you don't. Examiners value honesty.

The abstract is often the first part of your dissertation that a reader will encounter, yet it is typically the section that students write last, once they have a clear understanding of what their research has achieved. A well-written abstract should summarise the research question, the methodology, the key findings, and the main summarys of your dissertation in a clear and concise way, usually within two hundred to three hundred words. Avoid the temptation to include information in the abstract that does not appear in the main body of your dissertation, as this creates a misleading impression of the scope and conclusions of your research. Reading the abstracts of published journal articles in your field is an excellent way to develop an understanding of the conventions and expectations that apply to abstract writing in your particular academic discipline.

Key Considerations

Understanding the fundamental concepts and best practices in this area is essential for academic success and professional development.