A Mock Viva Could Be The Only Thing Standing In The Way Of No Corrections
The viva is too important to leave to chance. Take a realistic practice run with a leading examiner to maximise your chances of success.
With our help, you’ll pass your viva first time or get double your money back.
Years of Work Have Led To This Moment – Don’t Leave It To Chance.
You’re feeling nervous about your viva because it’s all new to you. You’re not sure what to expect, what you’ll be asked, or whether you have what it takes to think on your feet in the way you need to. Your inexperience is expected, but it’s a problem.
A Mock-Viva solves that problem. If you’ve had a ‘practice run’, you’ll go into your real viva much, much better prepared.
PhD students we’ve worked with tell us that the viva was a walk in the park, as they already knew what to expect.
So if you want to calm those nerves and maximise your chances of being awarded no corrections book a Mock Viva today.
You’ve Mastered Your Subject, Now Master The Viva
For All Disciplines
A mock-viva is about familiarising you with the format and allowing you to practice this way of thinking and talking. You know your subject – our job is to get you thinking and talking about it in the right way. No matter what you’re studying, you’ll benefit.
High-Impact Preparation
What better way to prepare for the viva than have a practice run? You’ll become familiar with the most common questions, you’ll practice thinking on your feet, and you’ll master the viva format. The result? In the real viva, you’ll already be a pro.
Easier The Second Time
Nerves about the viva come from the fact you’ve never done one before. Novelty kills confidence. But a mock-viva solves that problem. The biggest benefit is that you go in knowing exactly what to expect and that you do have what it takes.
Meet Professor Jeremy Wellington – Here To Help You Pass First Time
Professor Jeremy Wellington – Emeritus Professor of Education
Few people on earth know more about the doctoral examination process than Professor Wellington. He’s spent decades researching the doctoral journey and has published 22 books on the subject, including Taking Control of Your Thesis. His latest book – Examining Doctoral Work – saw him speak to hundreds of other examiners to better understand what examiners look for and how to prepare.
He has also worked as Head of Research Degrees at the University of Sheffield School of Education, where he also oversaw the entire PhD programme.
And he’s supervised and examined hundreds of doctoral students from all corners of the globe and a variety of disciplines.
Jeremy is uniquely positioned to help you prepare for your viva examination. His experience and knowledge of the examination process will help you gain the confidence and skills you need to succeed.
We’ve Helped Hundreds of Students Pass First Time
Bonus PhD Viva Prep Resources
So you can boost your chances of success even more, you’ll also get free bonus access to two bundles of resources.
PhD Viva Survival Pack
We all know that you can’t predict exactly what questions you’ll get in the viva. But there are a series of ‘master questions’ you can prepare answers to – and if you can answer these master questions you can answer any questions.
We’ve compiled these questions into a 12 page editable PDF worksheet. Prepare answers to them, and you’ll have all bases covered.
Created in dialogue with Professor Peter Smith, author of The PhD Viva (Palgrave).
Preparing For Your Viva Masterclass
What can you expect at the viva? How do you handle difficult examiners? What do examiners really look for. Get fully briefed with this ‘watch anytime’ Preparing For Your Viva Masterclass bonus recording. You’ll learn from Professor Wellington’s decades of experience as an examiner, and further calm your nerves.
Double Your Money Back Guarantee
We’re so invested in your success that if you don’t pass your viva, we’ll give you twice your money back.
To date, everyone has passed. And 65% received ‘No Corrections’.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mock-viva?
A mock viva is a realistic rehearsal of your PhD viva. You’re questioned on your thesis by an experienced examiner, under timed, viva-style conditions, followed by detailed feedback on your answers, gaps, and strengths.
Who is this for?
This is for PhD candidates who:
Are within 1–8 weeks of their viva
Feel broadly prepared but uncertain how they’ll perform aloud
Want to test their thinking, not memorise scripts
Are anxious about examiner questioning or “thinking on the spot”
Who is this not for?
Who is this not for?
It’s probably not the right fit if:
You haven’t read your thesis recently
You’re still drafting or awaiting submission
You want reassurance rather than challenge
How realistic is the mock-viva?
Very. The structure, questioning style, pacing, and tone mirror a real viva:
Open questions
Follow-ups
Probing of weaknesses
Requests for justification and clarity
Will the session be recorded?
The choice is yours. Many students choose to record the session so they can watch their performance back. We will ask you at the beginning of the session what your preference is.
Will you have read my thesis?
Yes. Your examiner reads your thesis in advance and prepares discipline-appropriate questions, including likely examiner lines of attack.
How can you run a subject-blind mock viva — don’t I need a subject expert?
You already know your subject. We focus on the viva format and pressure. All vivas follow similar stages (contribution, methods, decisions, limitations). We challenge how you explain and defend your work, while you handle the subject-specific detail — just like in the real viva.
I’m terrified of my viva — is this too intense?
It’s challenging, yes — but controlled.
Most candidates report feeling calmer afterwards because uncertainty drops sharply once they’ve done it once.
Is this confidential?
Completely. Your thesis, performance, and feedback stay private.
Is there a refund policy?
Yes, we offer a money-back guarantee if you don’t feel that the program is helping you make meaningful progress. Terms and conditions apply.
How cloase to the viva should I book this?
Best window: 2–4 weeks before the viva
This gives you time to adjust without over-thinking.
What do I need to bring or prepare?
You should:
Have re-read your thesis
Be able to summarise your contribution
Know your methods and decisions
You don’t need polished answers — that’s the point.
How close to the real viva should I book this?
Best window: 2–4 weeks before the viva
This gives you time to adjust without over-thinking.
What do I need to bring or prepare?
You should:
Have re-read your thesis
Be able to summarise your contribution
Know your methods and decisions
You don’t need polished answers — that’s the point.
Pricing & Checkout
- Double Your Money Back Guarantee.
A Complete Viva Prep System:
Realistic Mock Viva
A full-length, realistic viva rehearsal that tests how you explain, defend, and think under examiner-style pressure.
PhD Viva Survival Pack
A concise PDF of the master questions that underpin every viva — prepare for these, and you’ll be ready for whatever comes up.
Preparing For Your Viva Masterclass Recording
A practical walkthrough of how vivas actually unfold and how examiners decide what to push on.
Complete Peace of Mind
You go into the real viva knowing what it feels like, how it flows, and that you can handle it.
Double Your Money Back Guarantee
If you don’t pass your viva first time, we’ll give you twice your money back.
