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 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 March and April, with the Oxford Final usually taking place in June.
THE BENEFITS
The competition will help you to develop your communication skills, vital to raise awareness of your work, seek support and obtain funding. You will be able to develop ways of explaining complex ideas in a way that is accessible and engaging for a non-specialist audience, raise the profile of your work, enhance your CV, and network with like-minded researchers.
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.
Listen to Dr Catherine Seed explain the competition and provide some tips in this 20 minute online training session that was created for applicants in 2025.
HOW TO APPLY TO COMPETE
Applications for the 2026 competition will open in March 2026.
THE 2025 FINAL HAS NOW TAKEN PLACE.
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:10am-12pm 28th January 2026 (In person), 10am-12pm 26th February 2026 (in person), and 10am-12pm 30th April 2026 (online)
- Deadline to apply to the competition: TBC (estimated May 2026)
- Oxford Final: TBC (estimated 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
WATCH ENTRIES FROM PREVIOUS WINNERS
1st prize winner 2024: Dylan Sherman
Additional information
RULES
- A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
- No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
- No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
- Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
- Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
- Presentations are to commence from the stage.
- Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Comprehension and content
- Did the presenter provide clear motivation, background and significance to the research question?
- Did the presentation clearly describe the research strategy/design and the results/findings?
- Did the presentation clearly describe the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research?
Engagement and communication
- Was the oration delivered clearly, with language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
- Was the PowerPoint slide well-defined and did it enhance the presentation?
- Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research and capture/maintain the audience's attention?