2025
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG THREE MINUTE THESIS (3MT) COMPETITION
First developed by the University of Queensland in 2008, the Three Minute Thesis competition (3MT®) challenges research students to communicate the significance of their projects to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes. 3MT provides research students with the opportunity to develop their academic, presentation, and research communication skills by explaining their research to an intelligent but non-specialist audience. The institutional UJ competition will challenge students to present face-to-face, and additionally the virtual final will hone skills associated from being filmed for an international audience, receiving international peer review, and gaining skills surrounding the presentation of their research to a wider audience.
Eligibility
Active PhD and Professional Doctorate Research (program composed of at least 2/3 research and eligible for RTP) candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone/progress review (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation are eligible to participate in 3MT competitions at all levels. Graduates are not eligible.
Rules
- 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.
- A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or movement) 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 adjudicating panel is final.
COMPETITION ENTRY PROCESS
Round 1: Entry closing – Submission of application form, abstract, PowerPoint slide with voiceover, script of voiceover and Terms & Conditions agreement (Templates will be provided) – 11 July 2025
Round 2: Panel feedback to successful entrants and request for corrections- 25 July 2025
Round 3: Final submission- 08 August 2025
Date of competition: 30 August 2025
University of Queensland Guidelines, FAQ and other resources available at: Click here.
For more information, please email rcdenquiries@uj.ac.za
2024 Institutional Competition
The 2024 Institutional 3MT Competition, held on August 23rd and hosted by the Research Capacity Development Unit of the Postgraduate School, was a triumph. It showcased the brilliant presentations of UJ Doctoral candidates. We thank the judges, keynote speaker, audience, and the dedicated operational and technical teams for making the event possible. Congratulations to the 2024 winners!
To view our event booklet and photo gallery within, please click here.
To view the 2024 Institutional 3MT event, please click here.
2024 National Competition
Our two exceptional representatives (Mosa Khasu and Refilwe Chilo) showcased their research prowess at the prestigious 2024 National Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition hosted by the University of Free State on the 25th of October. A special commendation goes to Refilwe Chilo, whose outstanding performance earned a well-deserved third-place award in the national competition. This achievement highlights the calibre of research being conducted at UJ and the dedication of its students to sharing their work with the world.
2024 SANORD Competition
Ms Odifentse Lehasa has been crowned the regional winner of the prestigious 2024 Southern African-Nordic Centre (SANORD) Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. The SANORD 3MT competition brings together talented PhD candidates from universities across Southern Africa and the Nordic countries, fostering research collaboration and knowledge exchange on an international stage.
As this year’s Regional Winner, Odifentse received an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the SANORD Conference 2024 and present in the 3MT annual showcase. The conference was held during 4-6 December at the University of the Western Cape, Bellville Campus, Cape Town, South Africa.
2024 U2 Global Competition
Ms Mosa Khasu has won the People’s Choice Award at the 2024 Universitas 21 (U21) International Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. This is the first time a UJ student—and a South African—has received this recognition. The U21 3MT competition challenges doctoral students from leading research-intensive universities worldwide.
