Three Minute Thesis Competition
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland. First run in 2008, 3MT® has grown to become a global competition, with universities around the world holding their own events. The exercise challenges doctoral students to present a compelling talk on their thesis topic and its significance in just 180 seconds to a non-specialist audience.
3 Minutes, 1 Slide…..Your Thesis!
A 50,000 word thesis would take 7 hours to present; how about in just 3 minutes with the aid of a single slide? We are inviting DPhil students to do just that.
The annual 3 Minute Thesis competition challenges doctoral candidates from across the University of Oxford to present a compelling spoken presentation on their research topic and its significance in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience.
Training is available during January, February and April, with applications opening in March, and the Oxford Final taking place on Wednesday 17th June 2026, with participants competing for prizes.
TRAINING
Specialist training is provided to all participants to help develop their pitch. Training takes your through the key ingredients to craft a compelling three minute presentation about your thesis work, and have the chance to get feedback on your presentations.
HOW TO APPLY TO COMPETE
Applications for the 2026 competition will open in April 2026.
THE 2026 FINAL WILL TAKE PLACE ON WED 17th JUNE 2026
ELIGIBILITY
Active DPhil and Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in 3MT competitions at all levels. If you have already sat the Viva Voce examination you are not eligible. Post-doctoral Graduates are not eligible.
TIMELINE
- Training:
- Thur 26th February, 10am - 12pm - in person at the RSL training room - book your place here.
- Thur 30th April, 10am - 12pm - in person at the RSL training room - book your place here.
- Applications open: Wednesday 1st April 2026
- Deadline to apply to the competition: 5pm 22nd May 2026
- Oxford Final: Wednesday 17th June 2026
- Early July: National semi-finals
- Aug/Sept: National finalists announced by Vitae
- Vitae National Final: October 2025. Online broadcast.
THE 2025 OXFORD COMPETITION
We are delighted to announce the winners of the University of Oxford 2025 competition:
- 1st Place Prize: Kit Gallagher, Mathematical Institute, 'Personalised Care: Why the Next Revolution in Cancer Treatment Won't Come from a New Drug'
- 2nd Place Prize: Patricia Yulita Gunawan, Department of Paediatrics, 'Babies' brains could tell us whether they are in pain'
- People's Choice Award: Kit Gallagher, Mathematical Institute, 'Personalised Care: Why the Next Revolution in Cancer Treatment Won't Come from a New Drug'
- Judge's Commendation: Sophie Shang for effective Science Communication