In most research projects, this phase arrives much quicker than the supervisor ever expects.

My top tips for supporting your students through writing up and preparing for the viva start with getting them to write early.

It really helps you to encourage your students to start writing early in the programme, so that you can give them feedback on their writing style and help them to get support on developing that, if necessary.

Encourage the students to engage with formal training on writing abstracts and papers, writing a thesis and yes, the technical side of managing large documents on the computer and reference management software.

As they complete a section of work get them to write up notes that are publication ready as these can be used in part or in their entirety as contributions to the thesis...