Information for competition entrants

Please see below for details on how you can enter the competition. Info covers how to enter, criteria, dates, relevant training, and prizes.

Key dates

The competition will run as follows:

Three Minute Thesis Information Session26th November 2025 and 27th January 2026
Competition Preparation Workshops12th and 18th February 2026
Peer Practice Session18th March 2026
College Heats

CAHSS - Tuesday 28th April 2026 

CMVM - Thursday 2nd April 2026

CSCE - Wednesday 6th May 2026

Specialist Presentation Skills Training for 9 Finalists14th and 21st May 2026
University Final24th June 2026
Student presenting at the three minute thesis competition

Entry to the 2026 will be available from February 2026. Entry is via your College, please contact:

CMVM - kim.orsi@ed.ac.uk

CAHSS - pgawards@ed.ac.uk

CSCE –  pgrcse@ed.ac.uk   

The competition is most suited to final stage PhD students. It is recommended you take part in this competition when you are a later year PhD student and not in your first year. 


Stages of the 3MT competition at College, University and Universitas 21 levels.

The University of Edinburgh is keen to offer you the chance to take part in this internationally renowned competition. Participation will raise your research profile, develop your skills in public engagement and communication and help you network with researchers from around the world.

College Heats (April/May)

CAHSS - Tuesday 28th April 2026 

CMVM - Thursday 2nd April 2026

CSCE - Wednesday 6th May 2026

University Competition Final (June 2026)

Wednesday 24th June 2026 from 2pm in the Larch Lecture Theatre, Nucleus Building, Kings Buildings

Universitas 21 Competition (September/October)

The final will include PhD students from around the world and takes place virtually via video submission. 


The criteria for the competition, at all levels, is the same. It is simple - but strict!

  • You should present information on your current PhD research topic
  • You should present for an intelligent lay audience
  • ALL presentations for the 3 Minute Thesis will be NO MORE than 3 minutes, competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified
  • You will only be allowed 1 SLIDE (with no transitions)
  • 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 to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs)
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final
  • You should tell us what your research is, how you are doing it, what you have discovered and why it is an important contribution to knowledge

You should present information on your current PhD research topic

  • This is a subject where you are the expert. Hopefully you are passionate about what you do. Remember to show that enthusiasm.

You should present for an intelligent lay audience

  • An intelligent lay audience is usually pretty smart, but might not know anything about your field. They will usually be members of the University, but not necessarily academics.
  • That means you should avoid the use of technical terms, jargon and specialist knowledge.
  • It also means you will have to translate your complex ideas into something much simpler. This is not about dumbing down, but gradually developing complex ideas to take the audience on a journey through your topic.
  • You will be timed, and stopped if you run over…so make sure you have timed yourself.
  • Practise, practise, practise!
  • Practise in front of a mirror so you know what you look like when you are delivering your message.
  • Practise in front of people to get feedback and to find out if you speed up when you are nervous.

You will only be allowed 1 SLIDE (with no transitions)

  • One slide isn’t much so make it engaging.
  • Use pictures and diagrams, but don’t over fill it or people won’t be able to see what you have written.
  • You won’t be allowed any transitions or animations. It really is ONE SLIDE.

You should tell us what your research is, how you are doing it, what you have discovered and why it is an important contribution to knowledge

  • Remember to keep this simple and short.
  • If your research has an obvious application then use it to engage us early.

Ideas to help you prepare the best 3 minute presentation you can.

Important considerations

Before taking part in the competition it is recommended you attend the Three Minute Thesis Information Session to find out more about the competition and whats expected of you. We also recommend you watch videos of previous finalists presentations (particularly if there are any in your subject area/discipline) to give you an idea of what a 3MT presentation looks like. 

  • Hooks – get us excited about what you are doing as quickly as possible with a hook. A hook is something that builds intrigue, suspense or raises a question in the audiences mind.
  • Body Language – think about how you are going to stand and deliver your talk. Your body language is important, don’t over gesticulate, but don’t be too stiff…practicing in front of people will help.
  • Tone of Voice – even a 3 minute presentation will seem dull if delivered in a monotone. Remember to show us your enthusiasm.
  • Practice – it is so important we can’t say it enough!
  • Movement during your presentation - 3MT presentations are typically delivered from a single spot on the stage and don't include a lot of movement, please plan for this when you are delivering your presentation 

Writing your 3MT

1. Write for your audience

One of the judging criteria looks for evidence that you can explain your research to a non-specialist audience. To do this you may like to:

  • avoid jargon and academic language;
  • explain concepts and people important to your research - you may know all about Professor Smith’s theories but your audience may not;
  • imagine that you are explaining your research to a close friend or fellow student from another field; and
  • don’t dumb down or devalue your research, what you are doing is exciting and you should convey enthusiasm for your subject.

2. Have a clear outcome in mind

Know what you want your audience to take away from your presentation. Ideally, you would like the audience to leave with an understanding of what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.

3. Tell a story

You may like to present your 3MT like a story, with a beginning, middle and an end. It’s not easy to condense your research into three minutes, so you may find it easier to break your presentation down into smaller sections. Try writing an opener to catch their attention, then highlight your different points, and finally have a summary to restate the importance of your work.

4. What not to do

  • Do not write your presentation like an academic paper. Try to use shorter words, shorter sentences and shorter paragraphs.
  • You can use humour, however be careful not to dumb down your presentation.

5. Revise

You may like to proof your 3MT presentation by reading it aloud, firstly to yourself and then to an audience of friends and family. This allows you to not only check your grammar and writing style, but it will allow you to receive critical feedback. Don’t be afraid to ask your audience if your presentation clearly highlights what your research is and why it is important.

6. Your Supervisor

Ask your supervisor or other colleagues in your field to review the content of your presentation.

Creating your 3MT slide

Before you start work on your slide, you should take the following rules into account:

  • a single static PowerPoint slide is permitted;
  • no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description are permitted;
  • your slide is to be presented from the beginning of your oration; and
  • no additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.

An engaging visual presentation can make or break any oration, so you want your slide to be legible, clear and concise.

Less is More

Text and complicated graphics can distract your audience – you don’t want them to read your slide rather than listen to your 3MT.

Personal Touches

Personal touches can allow your audience to understand the impact of your research

Your Message

Think about how your slide might be able to assist with the format and delivery of your presentation – is there a metaphor that helps explain your research?

Practicing your 3MT presentation

The following tips may be useful as you prepare your 3MT oration.

1. Practice, practice, practice

Feeling nervous before you present is natural, and sometimes a little nervousness can even be beneficial to your overall speech. Nonetheless, it is important to practice so you can present with confidence and clarity.

2. Vocal range

  • Speak clearly and use variety in your voice (fast/slow, loud/soft).
  • Do not rush - find your rhythm.
  • Remember to pause at key points as it gives the audience time to think about what you are saying.

3. Body language

  • Stand straight and confidently.
  • Hold your head up and make eye contact.
  • Never turn your back to the audience.
  • Practice how you will use your body and hands to emphasise your presentation but note that a 3MT presentation should be delivered from a single spot on stage.

4. Length of your presentation

The length of your presentation is very clear – no more than 3 minutes!  However as your presentation approaches the end of the 3 minutes, the audience may be more focused on watching the countdown clock in case you run over, rather than listening to your presentation. Consider aiming to finish your presentation at the 2 minute 50 second point to keep everyone’s nerves at bay!


Preparing to enter

We run the following workshops to help you prepare for the competition:

Three Minute Thesis - Competition Preparation Workshop

Three Minute Thesis Competition Peer Practice Session

Guide to Designing Effective Slides for Three Minute Thesis


You may also find the following workshops useful:

Presentation Skills for the Terrified

Communicating the Impact of your Research

Presenting your Research with Confidence

Voice and Presentation Skills

Banish Big Audience Nervousness

Further details can be found here 

Training for College heat winners

The winners from the College heats will take part in training on Engaging Communication, a 1:1 practice and feedback session, specifically developed for this competition. This will run in person.

Three Minute Thesis Training for Finalists - Group Workshop
14th May 2026 (10:00 - 12:00)

Three Minute Thesis Training for Finalists - 1:1 Sessions
21st May 2026 (09:30 - 16:30)

Engaging Communications Workshop (for College heat winners only)

Content: This workshop will cover:

  • how to engage audiences
  • best practice in research communication
  • effective story telling
  • the building blocks of communication
  • making complex subjects simple
  • speech and voice coaching

You will also be offered a 1:1 session with the facilitator to practice and get feedback on your 3 minute “pitch”.  


Relevant contact details for the competition.

Contacting your School / College

Information on college heats, and contact details for entering, please contact:

CMVM - kim.orsi@ed.ac.uk

CAHSS - pgawards@ed.ac.uk

CSCE –  pgrcse@ed.ac.uk   

For information on the University competition, training, or the Coimbra or Universitas 21 competitions, please contact:

 

 


  • Postgraduate Researcher and Career Development

Contact details

Who is eligible to take part?

 Active PhD 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. Graduates are not eligible.

* Professional Doctorate by Research (Programme composed of at least 2/3 research).

I have just submitted my thesis, can I take part?

  • We will consider applications from all students who are still registered as students at the University of Edinburgh, therefore if you are waiting for your viva, you can take part. If your viva will take place before the date of the University Final you are not eligible to enter the competition.

I have missed the College heats, can I take part in the University final?

  • Unfortunately not. Winning the college heat is essential for entry into the final.

What happens if my School doesn't have a heat?

  • In the case that your School doesn't have a school heat, you will be automatically entered into your College heat. 

I really need to use more than one slide. Can I?

  • No. There really is no negotiation on this!

I really need more than 3 minutes to explain what I do. Can I have 5?

  • No. There really is no negotiation on this!
  • But visit the top tips site for advice on how to develop your presentation.

Can I read my presentation from a script?

  • Although not against the rules, it is strongly advised that you do not read your presentation from a script or electronic device and instead present this from memory.

What training is available?

  • Check the 'training available' page in this section for any relevant training courses in advance of your College heat.
  • Training will be provided for those who get through to the University final.

I don’t really want to be recorded for the finals. Can I avoid this?

  • The University of Edinburgh Final is always recorded and live web streamed in order to make it accessible to all. The videos are added to the University’s Media Hopper channel, used for promotional purposes and also to enter the winner into the Coimbra and Universitas 21 competitions, where entry is via video submission.  There is no option to opt out of filming.
  • NB College heats are not recorded (unless otherwise stated).

Where will the videos of the talks be displayed?

  • We will upload them all to the University Media Hopper site.

What’s in it for me?

  • There are some great prizes available, but more importantly this is a unique development opportunity available to you. It is an opportunity to develop presentation and communication skills, to receive specialist training in these areas and a chance to communicate your research to the world

Can I enter the competition online?

  • No, entry to the University final is in person only.

How much time does the competition take?

  • You can expect the competition to take up approximately two days of your time from start to finish. This includes attending any optional competition preparation workshops, school and college heats and training if you make it through to the final. Training for the competition starts in February, and the final takes place in June.

This does not include practice time!

What if i'm doing a joint/interdisciplinary PhD

  • If your doing a joint or interdisciplinary PhD then entry to the competition will be via your lead school or institution. 

Can I take part more than once?

  • You can compete in the competition more than once, but not if you have already competed in the UoE final. For example if you took part in the School or College Heats but were not successful, you can enter again the following year. But if you won your College Heat and competed in the University Level Final, you are not able to compete again. 

Can I take part in my first year?

  • Although the eligibility criteria is anyone who has passed their confirmation milestone (first year annual review)the competition is best suited to those in the final stages of their research. It is recommended you enter the competition when you are a later year PhD student. 

Can I use Generative AI?

  • Currently, there is no formal guidance regarding the use of Generative AI in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Participants are advised to adhere to their respective institutions' policies on the use of AI, including guidelines on referencing and academic integrity.

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