3 Minute Thesis
An 80,000 word thesis would take 9 hours to present. Your time limit…3 minutes!
As part of the month long Festival of PGR Research we will be hosting the 樱花动漫 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a national competition for postgraduate research students, run by . 3MT® challenges doctoral candidates to present a compelling spoken presentation on their research topic and its significance in just three minutes. The first 3MT was held at The University of Queensland in Australia in 2008 and has been nationwide in the UK by Vitae since 2014. More information about the history of 3MT can be found on the and websites.
We have a , which contains some handy advice and explores what benefits she gained from doing a 3 Minute Thesis presentation.
The Exeter 3MT competition will be run according to guidance from Vitae, and the rules set out by The University of Queensland. Please make sure you read the international before applying.
The process will be as follows:
- 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 considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
- One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or movement are permitted and 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.
- The decision of the judging panel is final.
- This competition is open to all current 'in progress' PGRs at any stage of their doctoral journey. Unfortunately, MRes students and students on interruption are not eligible due to international rules
- Participants need to complete an and send their single PowerPoint slide and a video of their presentation by 5pm on Monday 11th May 2026
- All video entries will be reviewed by our panel. Shortlisted entries will be selected to compete at the 樱花动漫 3MT Final 2026 which will take place at Streatham campus on Thursday 28th May 2026 from 10am -12pm.
- All staff and PGRs will be invited to join us at the event to support our participants and enable the wider community to vote for a People’s Choice winner.
- Winning entries will also be invited to deliver their presentation at the Festival of PGR Research closing ceremony on Wednesday 3rd June 2026 between 2-4pm.
To enter the competition you must complete the AND send your video and PowerPoint Slide to us by 5pm on Monday 11th May 2026. If you have not sent the video and slide to us by this time, your application will sadly not be entered for the Exeter or National Competition.
You must upload your video to your own University OneDrive and paste the link into the sign up form. Please grant editors access to A.Lidstone@exeter.ac.uk and K.A.Coombes@exeter.ac.uk before sharing to ensure we can access the link.
You must also ensure you are available, should you be shortlisted, to attend and deliver your presentation in person at the 3MT final on Thursday 28th May between 10am-12pm at Streatham Campus.
The winner will also be invited to deliver their presentation at the Festival of PGR Research closing ceremony on Wednesday 3rd June 2026 between 2-4pm.
Any questions about this competition please email: PGRfestival@exeter.ac.uk
Three Minute Thesis Judging Criteria (taken from the ).
At every level of the competition each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.
Comprehension and content
- Presentation provided clear motivation, background and significance to the research question
- Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
- Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research
Engagement and communication
- The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
- The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
- The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention
The Judging Panel in 2026 will comprise:
- Professor Stacey Hynd, Dean of Postgraduate Research and the Doctoral College
- Professor Alan Barker, Faculty Director of PGR for Health and Life Sciences
- Kathryn Coombes, PGR Researcher Development Manager in Researcher Development and Research Culture
- Dr Jonathan Doney, Faculty Director of PGR for HASS
- Astrid Wissenburg, Divisional Director of Research
- More judges TBC
Prizes:
The prizes for this year's competition are as follows:
- 1st prize £100 voucher
- 2nd prize £75 voucher
- 3rd prize £50 voucher
- People's Choice winner £50 voucher