Doctoral defence formats

Figures & data

Table 1. Classification of defence formats used internationally.

Country	Name	B/A	Pu/Pr	1/2	F/C	Observations
United Kingdom	Viva	B	Pr	1	C	Variations of committee: only internal and external examiner, or with a Chair, and/or with the supervisor present. Formal graduation ceremony several months after viva.
Ireland	Viva	B	Pr	1	C	Similar to UK
France	Defence	A	Pu*	1	C	Pu*: open to colleagues (lab members), but not to friends and family. Defence centred around presentation. Committee of internal and external members.
Germany	Defence	B	Pu	1	F	Notable variations among universities. Examiners evaluate the thesis and submit their report the day before the defence, but do not form part of the committee. During the defence, committee members and audience ask questions.
the Netherlands	Defence	A	Pu	1	F	Defence of the thesis and propositions. Large committee (up to 8 members, including rector or replacement). Strict protocol: use of caps and gowns, beadle leads ceremony. 20-minute presentation to audience before start of defence (without committee). Laudatio (congratulatory speech) and diploma conferral at end of defence.
Belgium	Defence	B/A	Pr/Pu	2	C	First, a private defence similar to the UK viva, then a celebratory public defence. Bestowal of doctoral hat and congratulatory speech by promotor at end of public defence.
Portugal	Defence	A	Pu	1	C	No formal dress code, defences tend to be long as committee members continue questioning until they are satisfied.
Spain	Defence	A	Pu	1	C	Requirements to defend are part of the Spanish law (de-De-Miguel 2010). Two external examiners evaluate the thesis before the defence and submit a written report.
Sweden	Defence	A	Pu	1	C	The committee of three professors evaluates and approves the thesis for defence. The opponent (not member of committee) examines the candidate during the defence, whereas the committee watches and evaluates. Candidates receive ring and hat (sciences) or laurel wreath (humanities). Commencement ceremony takes place in May in Latin in a cathedral.
Finland	Disputas	A	Pu	1	F	Two external reviewers evaluate thesis before the disputas. Interaction between disputant (PhD candidate) and opponent. Disputant presents work, opponent then gives short speech about work, then discussion between disputant and opponent. Strict protocol in terms of dress code and predefined sentences. Candidates receive doctoral hat and sword during commencement ceremony in May.
Norway	Defence	A	Pu	1	F	Includes trial lecture by candidate on a topic not related to the research. Defence with committee of three members, who write joint evaluation report before defence. Examination by two committee members. Thesis is published before the defence, but resubmission with minor corrections may be required.
Bulgaria	Defence	A	Pu	1	F	Limited information available. Committee of five members who all evaluate the thesis prior to the defence, with two committee members examining the candidate during the defence.
Ukraine	Defence	A	Pu	1	F	Similar to format used in Finland and Sweden with opponent.
Russia	Viva	A	Pr/Pu	2	C/F	The private defence is committee-driven and the public defence has a fixed time. The public viva is preceded by thesis evaluation by the dissertational defence board. This board appoints the defence committee. The committee writes a report about the thesis, after which the board appoints opponents and Chair. The opponents write a full review of the thesis and submit this report two weeks before the defence. The scientist secretary formally confirms all paperwork is in order. During the defence, the candidate reacts to the report of the defence board as well as to the report of the opponents, and the candidate answers questions by all members of the committee.
Georgia	Scientific debate	A	Pu	1	C	Limited information available. Committee includes external members.
United States	Defence	B	Pu/Pr	1/2	C	Many variations possible. Committee members are usually from the candidate’s university and involved with the research from the beginning of the doctoral trajectory. Same committee evaluates the proposal. Degree is awarded during commencement ceremony at the end of the semester.
Canada	Viva	B	Pu/Pr	1	C/F	Length of defence depends on university. Committees tend to be large, with internal and exteral members, the supervisor, and the Chair. Influenced by defence in USA and viva in UK.
Chile	Defence	A	Pu/Pr	2	C	Two-step defence. Prior to the defence, the candidate has to pass several evaluations, which are called ‘mini-defences’. Candidate receives doctoral medal at commencement.
New Zealand	Viva	B	Pr	1	C	Very similar to the UK, but with three examiners.
Japan	Viva	B	Pu	1	C	Public defence with committee of two examiners and supervisors. Committee members give summary of impression of work after the Q&A. The commencement ceremony is traditionally in March.
Malaysia	Viva	B	Pr	1	C	Candidate gives 20-minute presentation at beginning. Similar to UK.
Iran	Viva	B	Pu	1	C	Similar to USA.
Pakistan	Viva	B	Pu	1	C	Similar to USA
Egypt	Defence	A	Pu	1	C	Formal dress code. Committee members sign documentation right after the defence.

B/A: Defending before or after publication of thesis; Pu/Pr: Public or private defence; 1/2: number of steps in defence; F/C: fixed timeline on the day of the defence or committee determines timeline.

Extended and modified from Degtyareva and Lantsoght (2021).

De-Miguel, M. 2010. “The Evaluation of Doctoral Thesis. A Model Proposal.” RELIEVE: Revista Electrónica de Investigación y Evaluación Educativa 16: 1–17.

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Degtyareva, O., and E. O. L. Lantsoght. 2021. Planning and Passing Your PhD Defence – A Global Toolbox for Success. London, UK: Routledge.

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