A viva voce is an oral examination in which you answer questions about your own work, such as a dissertation or final-year project.

How long does a viva usually last?

From about ten minutes for a course project to an hour or more for a thesis, depending on the institution.

How can I practise for a viva?

Explain your project aloud, get a friend to ask follow-up questions, or use an AI viva that asks questions about your submitted project.

How to prepare for a viva

A viva (viva voce) is an oral exam where you explain and defend your own work, such as a thesis or final-year project. Examiners are not trying to trick you; they want to confirm that you understand what you submitted. Preparation is mostly about knowing your project well enough to answer follow-up questions.

Know your project from top to bottom

Be able to explain the problem, your objectives, the design, every major technology choice and the results. For each choice, know why you picked it and what the alternative was. Examiners typically keep asking "why" until they find the limit of your understanding.

Practise a two-minute and a ten-minute explanation

Prepare a short version for the opening question and a longer walk-through for deeper questions. Practise aloud, ideally with a friend who interrupts with questions.

Expect questions on limitations and testing

Examiners like to ask what is weak in your work, how you tested it and what you would improve. Admitting a real limitation honestly scores better than defending everything.

What are the limitations of your system?
How did you test it?
What would you change with more time?
What part did you personally build?

Review every document you submitted

Re-read your report and compare it with what you actually built. If something in the report no longer matches the final system, be ready to explain the change and the reason for it.

On the day

Listen to the whole question, pause, then answer. If you do not know, say so and explain how you would find out. Keep answers focused and avoid bluffing, because follow-up questions expose it quickly.

Practise this out loud, free

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Frequently asked questions

What is a viva?: A viva voce is an oral examination in which you answer questions about your own work, such as a dissertation or final-year project.
How long does a viva usually last?: From about ten minutes for a course project to an hour or more for a thesis, depending on the institution.
How can I practise for a viva?: Explain your project aloud, get a friend to ask follow-up questions, or use an AI viva that asks questions about your submitted project.