Finishing and defending
Submission, the defence or viva, corrections and what comes next. Stage 6 of 6.
The end of a PhD comes with a surprising amount of paperwork and a surprising amount of feeling. You are polishing, formatting, chasing signatures, preparing for an exam and thinking about your next job, often all in the same week.
Get the official checklist early and work backwards from it. Prepare for your defence by practising answers out loud, not just by rereading. And plan for the weeks after, because corrections and job applications don't wait for you to recover.
Milestones for this stage
Tick them off as you go. Your ticks are saved on this device.
0 of 6 done
Guides that matter most now
- My thesis submission paperwork is piling upGet the official checklist, work backwards from the deadlines, and stop forms from catching you out.
- My defence or viva is coming up and I want to be readyPrepare for the final exam in your system: reread with fresh eyes, practise answering out loud, and know what happens on the day.
- I've passed, but I have corrections to makeTurn the examiners' comments into one clear list, make the changes, and get the final version accepted.
- I'm exhausted all the timeWork out whether this is a hard week or something rest alone won't fix, and find the support that helps you recover.
- I don't know what I want to do after my PhDExplore your options early and cheaply, so the decision rests on evidence rather than worry.
- I'm applying for academic jobs or postdocsUnderstand the market honestly, prepare your documents early, and ask referees before you need them.
- I'm looking at careers outside academiaTranslate what you do into terms employers recognise, and move towards work you want without treating it as failure.
Tools for this stage
Also useful at this stage
- I have chapters, but I need to pull the whole thesis togetherTurn a set of chapters into one thesis with a clear argument, and plan the run-up to submission.
- I'm getting ready to submit a paper to a journalChoose a journal that fits, submit cleanly, and know what to expect once the paper is under review.
- I'm not sure whose name goes on the paper, or in what orderRaise authorship early and in writing, and know what to do if it starts to feel unfair.
- My paper was rejected or the reviews were harshWork out what kind of decision you have, respond to reviewers well, and get the paper back out.
- I'm doing a capstone project for an outside organizationAgree on scope, manage the client relationship and deliver something useful while meeting the academic requirements.
- I need to write a statement of purpose or research proposal for a PhD applicationWrite an application statement or proposal that shows your preparation, your question and why the program fits.
- I've been asked to review a paperWrite a fair, useful review for a journal, even if it's your first and you feel underqualified.
- I'm not sure this journal is legitimateCheck a journal or conference before you send your work, and choose a venue that fits your paper.