For what its worth, our research degree regulations contain the following paragraph

 

Assessment Variation

When a candidate cannot, through disability, sickness or a comparable valid cause, be fairly assessed by the methods prescribed for the module or thesis concerned, the Research Committee may agree to vary those as deemed appropriate, bearing in mind the intended learning outcomes of the assessment and the need to assess each candidate on equal terms with other candidates. In addition, special arrangements can be made via the Disability Officer for adjustments to the conditions under which formal written and oral examinations may be undertaken. In determining the nature of any variation in methods of assessments, full account must be taken of the RAU’s policies.

 

 

 

Harriet and Mike,

 

Thank you both for this.

 

I hadn’t thought of splitting the viva over more than one day, and although a lot of students would probably rather get it over and done with I can think of situations when it might be appropriate.  I think one of my colleagues has recommended written questions in advance before (although I can imagine this might be quite controversial with some academics) and this may be something for me to explore further.

 

Up until now the recommendations I’ve made have been along the lines of your other suggestions and seem to have worked well. Often just knowing the examiners are aware seems to reduce a student’s anxiety levels and once they get into the swing of it a lot of students actually quite enjoy the viva and it seems to pass very quickly. This is the first time a student has come back to me to say they’ve failed to achieve a PhD on the basis of the viva – although I’ve been aware of a couple of students who’ve been awarded an MPhil due to the written thesis not being of PhD standard even after major corrections.

 

At the moment the onus is on the student to decide whether or not she wants to appeal the decision, but if she does I will certainly take all the useful advice I’ve received onboard and let the forum know the outcome,

 

Emma

 

 

Hi all,

 

We don’t really expand on the info, because it’s very much case by case, dependent on the student and the nature of their PhD J

 

I am not aware of any alternatives to the viva itself, but there is a good deal that can be done to make the setting more manageable.  Examples I’ve been involved with:

 

·        Restricting the number of people in attendance, making sure the student know who everyone is to start with

·        Having a familiar person there for reassurance (usually a mentor for our students).  They don’t play a part, other than reassurance and sometimes stopping things if the student starts to become very distressed.

·        Having the viva somewhere familiar to the student, and trying to make the setting as informal as possible, as well as attending to the sensory environment.

·        Having regular breaks to ‘reset’

·        On one occasion, being given the majority of the questions in advance so that the student is not ‘on the spot’ in the same way (although sometimes there have to be additional probing questions)

·        Briefing the examiners fully before the viva to enable them to be prepared and empathic as possible.

·        Splitting the viva into sections, perhaps over more than one day

 

There are case studies on the link Mike posted.  I don’t think I can post a lot of attachments to the forum, so will email you separately with some additional guidance docs.

Best wishes,

 

Harriet

 

Harriet Cannon

 

Disability Coordinator (Autism Spectrum)

 

Disabled Student Assessment & Support

University of Leeds

 

Tel: 0113 34 37538

 

Hours of work:  Monday-Wednesday, 7.15am-3.15pm

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Find us on the web:   http://www.equality.leeds.ac.uk/

 

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From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Parry
Sent: 31 October 2013 11:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Alternative to PhD Viva?

 

 

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