PhD

Dissertation Defence Preparation for Canadian PhD Candidates

How to prepare for a Canadian PhD dissertation defence — committee, slides, Q&A, and what to expect.

📅 December 14, 2025 ⏱ 4 min read 🏷 PhD

The Canadian PhD defence is the culmination of years of work. Here's how to prepare for it.

Format

Most candidates pass with revisions. Outright failure is rare when supervisors green-light the defence.

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FAQ

How long is a Canadian PhD defence?

Most last 2–4 hours. Closed-defence universities (McGill, UBC) tend to run shorter; open + closed defences (U of T, Western) tend to run longer.

Can you fail a Canadian PhD defence?

Outright failure is rare. Most candidates pass with major or minor revisions. Supervisors typically don't green-light a defence unless you're ready.

What should I wear to my dissertation defence?

Business formal — what you'd wear to a job interview. Some universities have stricter dress codes; check with recent grads in your department.

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