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3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition

3MT Competition

Established by the University of Queensland in 2008, 3MT is an international competition held at over 200 universities worldwide. It is open to PhD students, and challenges participants to present their research in just three minutes, in the form of a single static PowerPoint slide that can be understood by an audience, who although intelligent, have no background in the research area.

Swansea University is one of around 70 UK-based institutions that now form part of a global network, encouraging postgraduate research students to promote their research and enthusiasm for their chosen topic to reach non-specialist audiences. 3MT is designed to showcase to a variety of audiences the excellent quality and diversity of research being undertaken by postgraduate research students at Swansea University, and its relevancy and impact upon the world in which we live.

Swansea University 3MT 2021 Final

Access online training and resources via the Postgraduate Research Skills Hub

Hands typing on the keyboard of a laptop

Watch the 2019 winning presentation by Darren Scott from the College of Science

Watch Laura Broome's winning Three Minute Thesis presentation 2018

Image of the winner of the Swansea 3MT competition presenting

The winner of the Swansea University 2018 competition, Laura Broome from the College of Human and Health Science won the Swansea University ®3MT competition in 2018.  Laura's presentation was then entered into the UK Semi-final and was shortlisted as 1 of 6 finalists to compete in the UK ®3MT final, hosted by Vitae, the global leader in researcher development.  

Watch Laura's presentation. 

Find out more about the Three Minute Thesis competition

Female presenting at the 3MT competition

The Three Minute Thesis (®3MT) competition is a thrilling and prestigious annual event at Swansea university which challenges PhD students to convey their research to a multidisciplinary audience in less than three minutes, with only a single static PowerPoint slide.  Qualifying rounds take place during March each year.   Qualifying rounds take place during March each year.  Finalists are chosen to present at the Swansea University final.  It is the highlight of the PGR calendar and an opportunity for PGR students not to be missed.

®3MT is an academic competition developed by the University of Queensland, Australia.  Its success has led to the establishment of local and national competitions in several countries across the globe.  Vitae host the UK ®3MT competition which is the culmination of finalists from Vitae member Higher Education Institutions throughout the UK.

Find out more about ®3MT from Vitae.