Can you present your thesis in 3 minutes?
What is the 3MT®
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ) which challenges students to consolidate their ideas and research discoveries and present them to a non-specialist audience in under 3 minutes. The concept has developed rapidly, and 3MT competitions are now held in over 900 universities and institutions across more than 80 countries worldwide. Along with the opportunity to win prizes at both Faculty and University-wide levels, the competition provides students with an opportunity to develop their presentation and communication skills, raise the profile of their research and act as a career-booster for many participants (Vitae, 2020).
University of Greenwich Competition
At the University of Greenwich, students compete in four faculty heats to be named either the Judges’ or People’s Choice Winner (PhD/EdD) or People’s Choice Winner (MPhil); Judges’ Winners then progress to the university final.
Between the faculty heats and university final, a ‘wildcard round’ is held during which the videos from all eligible People’s Choice Winners (PhD/EdD) are considered. The winner of this round is also invited to participate in the university final where all participants compete for both prize money and the honour of representing the university in the national 3MT competition (sponsored by Vitae).
Eligibility
While the Faculty heats are open to all postgraduate research students, the University final is only open to postgraduate research students who have successfully transferred to PhD, and Professional Doctorate students in the research phase of their programme; this is due to wider 3MT competition rules and the ability to represent the university in the national Vitae semi-finals/final.
Prizes
All prize money must be spent on research-related activities.
Faculty Heats
Judges’ Prize: £1,000
People’s Choice Prize: £500
University Final
Judges’ Prize: £1,500 + represent University of Greenwich in National Competition
People’s Choice Prize: £1,000
3MT Schedule 2025/26
Introductory training, presentation skills and 1-2-1 training for participants is offered throughout the competition.
| Session | Time/Date |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Three Minute Thesis (3MT) | 11 November 2025 & 18 February 2026 |
| Scene Change Training | 26 February 2026 |
| Faculty Submissions | TBC |
| Faculty Judging and Prizes | TBC |
| Finalists Training | 3 June 2026 |
| Submission | 16 June 2026 |
| Competition Event | 17 June 2026 |
Faculty Heats/University Final
| Education, Health & Human Sciences | TBC |
| Engineering & Science | TBC |
| Greenwich Business School | TBC |
| Liberal Arts & Sciences | TBC |
| University Final | TBC |
3MT Representatives
| Education, Health & Human Sciences | Rebecca Smith |
| Engineering & Science | Lara Nolan |
| Greenwich Business School | Namandee Hemanchandra |
| Liberal Arts & Sciences | Hope Freeman |
Useful Links
University of Queensland: Three Minute Thesis - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)
Vitae Competition archives: https://www.vitae.ac.uk/events/three-minute-thesis-competition
You Tube: 3MT thesis competition - YouTube