Are you starting your graduate journey in May? Registration opens March 28. Visit our Orientation Hub for more information.
Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Graduate Studies

Three Minute Thesis

Due to COVID-19, the Three Minute Thesis competition has been cancelled in 2021. However, we are holding our inaugural GradFlix video competition. GradFlix focuses on building communication and technical skills. Learn more about this creative and fun new contest!


Three Minute Thesis – also known as the 3MT® – is a university-wide competition for graduate students. Competitors must present their research and its wider impact in 3 minutes or less to a panel of non-specialist judges.

The challenge? Present complex research in an engaging, accessible, and compelling way, using only one static slide.

Information Box Group

What is the 3MT? Learn More

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a university-wide competition for graduate students in which participants present their research and its wider impact in 3 minutes or less to a panel of non-specialist judges. The challenge is to present complex research in an engaging, accessible, and compelling way, using only one static slide.

The ABC's of the 3MT Competition Guidelines

Learn about the Three Minute Thesis Competition – who can compete, the rules, judging, and more.

3MT resources Learn more

Online and downloadable resources to help you design – and deliver – your Three Minute Thesis.

Competition schedule Preliminary heats

The Three Minute Thesis Competition includes six preliminary heats. On March 18, four heats run throughout the day, with the first beginning at 9 a.m. Preliminary Heat 5 and 6 takes place on March 19 at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. respectively, with the Final Heat beginning at 2 p.m.

Judges

A list of adjudicators for the preliminary heats and Final Competition will be available soon.

2020 3MT preliminary heat winners

Preliminary heat winners will be available here, beginning on March 18.

Past competitions 3MT Final competitions

Check out the past competition Finals on YouTube.

3MT Final Learn More

Meet the winners of the 2020 3MT competition

Ontario 3MT Competition Learn More

McMaster hosted the 2019 Ontario 3MT.