Update 26.01.21

1. Masters Dissertation Scheme
2021

2. • The programme gives students the opportunity
undertake their dissertation which solves a
problem set by a commercial organisation
• Students are entered into a competition to win
three cash prizes (£500, 2 x £250) funded by the
CDRC
• Students are also offered a £500 bursary upon
successful project completion
• Research can take place remotely or on-site with
the industry sponsor, but students will still be
offered a supervisor from their university as well
• Students and supervisors will be invited to an
academic conference in November
Summary

3. The programme offers students a unique
opportunity to apply their skills to real-world
problems and to gain valuable experience
working with commercial datasets
L-R: images by Christian Tonge, Paula White, Neelam Kundi & Ulzhan Bissarinova (MDS 2017)

4. Some Current & Former Sponsors

5. Student Institutions

6. Timeline
January
Projects are
advertised on the
CDRC website
Jan - Apr
The student application process is
open. Successful students may be
required to attend an interview
May - Aug
Research is undertaken either at the student’s university (or
remotely if lockdown restrictions apply)
or on-site with the industry sponsor
September
Dissertations are
submitted to the CDRC
and industrial sponsors
October
Participants are invited to an
Academic conference where
the prizes are awarded

7. Projects will
normally use
data on
consumers and
their behaviour
Research Area

8. Outputs
https://www.cdrc.ac.uk/education-and-training/masters-dissertation-scheme/project-archive/

9. Academic Conference
All participants involved in the programme are invited
to an annual academic conference on consumer data
• The conference is attended by a mixture of
business representatives and academics
• Students present posters of their research
• The three cash prizes are awarded
The Demographics Users Group Conference 2016. The Royal Society, London

10. • The CDRC will fund 3 cash prizes of (£500,
2 x £250), judged by an independent panel
• Prizes will be awarded at an academic
conference in November
Prizes
Lord David Willets (Resolution Foundation)
awarding one of the prizes at the Data
Analysts User Group Conference,
Royal Society, London. 2017

11. • Visit www.cdrc.ac.uk/education-and-
training/masters-dissertation-scheme/ to browse
available projects for this year’s programme
• Apply for project(s) of interest following the
guidance on this page
• Selected students will be invited to an interview
with the prospective sponsor
• Apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment
To Participate

12. • Should be studying a Masters level degree at a
UK based institution
• Should be predicted a merit/distinction, or
degree equivalent
• Should possess the essential skills specified on
the sponsor's project proposal form
• Should be willing to attend online/in-
person* meetings as required
*subject to UK Government coronavirus guidance
Candidates

13. • Students may be required to sign a non-
disclosure agreement (as set by their sponsor)
• Students will be expected to attend occasional
progress meetings with their sponsors during
the research process
• Students are required to send a copy of their
dissertation to the CDRC and to their industry
sponsor in September
• Students will be asked to present a poster of
their research at an academic conference in
November
• Students will be invited to produce an extended
abstract to be published on the CDRC website
Requirements

14. Application Form

15. Use the cover letter to demonstrate that you have:
• Academic skills and experience relevant to
the research proposal
• Enthusiasm to work with the retailer, and
motivation to deliver a successful project
• A good understanding of the research topic
and possibly some ideas about taking the
research forward
• Practical problem-solving and communication
skills
Guidelines

16. • Take advantage of the advice offered by your
academic and industry supervisors
• Be organised, plan ahead
• Don’t be afraid to be innovative. You may have
to go beyond the techniques you learnt from
the taught part of your course. Most topics are
multidisciplinary
• Take care with your presentation. Your
dissertation is going to be read by both
academics and non-academics
Tips

17. • Three-tier Data Access
• Secure Facilities
• Trusted Researchers
• Governance
• Safe results
www.cdrc.ac.uk
www.cdrc.ac.uk/education-and-training/masters-dissertation-scheme/