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Once you have completed your PhD Thesis, you will be asked to attend a viva or oral exam.
At your viva you will be asked to defend your thesis to a panel. Unless you have specifically arranged something different with your Graduate School and academic team, you will need to be at UEA to attend your viva.
If you have left the UK to complete writing up your thesis, your Student visa may have expired or no longer be valid. To return to the UK you may need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
You will get an email or letter letting you know the date and time of your viva, you can use this as evidence in your application if you need to apply for your visa in advance, or you can carry it with you if you are able to apply at the border.
Please be aware of the following restrictions on Standard Visitor visas:
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You are not permitted to work on your PhD generally on a Standard Visitor visa, as your PhD is more than 6 months of study. There is a specific exception for students who are visiting the UK only to undertake their Viva.
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You can’t work, do work placements or work experience/internships on Standard Visitor permission
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You can’t switch to most other types of visa from within the UK. You need to return home to apply for your next visa if you wish to continue your career in the UK.
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You need to have a valid UK Student visa in order to be eligible for the Graduate Route. If you were hoping to be eligible to apply for the Graduate Route after your PhD please speak to Student Life International with any queries.
If you would like any support in applying for a Standard Visitor visa for your viva, please contact Student Life International.
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