About the Scheme

The Geographic Data Service (GeoDS) Masters Dissertation Scheme offers Masters level students the opportunity to conduct their dissertations with co-supervision from leading businesses. This programme provides students with the chance to work with real-world datasets on business-critical problems, enhancing their academic experience and professional prospects.

Overview

Students may also submit a 600-word extended abstract of their projects to be published on the GeoDS website.

• Project Selection: Students apply to projects proposed by businesses, covering a wide range of disciplines and topics.
• Research Phase: Successful applicants undertake their dissertations over the spring and summer, with regular supervisory meetings with their industry sponsors. Some projects may be conducted on-site at the sponsor’s head office, as specified in the project proposal forms.
• Academic Support: Students receive regular guidance from a supervisor at their own university, ensuring they meet academic standards.
• Sponsorship: Business sponsors typically provide a £750 sponsorship, plus travel expenses, payable upon successful completion of the project.
• Dissertation Submission: PDF copies of completed dissertations are submitted at the beginning of September to both the business sponsor and the GeoDS.
• Awards and Recognition: Each dissertation is considered for cash prizes (£750 for first place, £500 for two runners-up), awarded at our data partner conference held in October.
• Students are invited to produce A1 posters of their work which will be displayed at the conference.

Benefits for Students

• Engaging Projects: Work on stimulating projects that address real-world business challenges.
• Industry Co-Supervision: Gain insights from co-supervision by major UK businesses.
• Practical Experience: Learn how data are used in practical problem-solving and address issues that matter to the industry.
• Awards and Recognition: Opportunity to win one of three cash prizes (£750, £500, £500) funded by the GeoDS.
• Networking Opportunities: Attend an academic conference to showcase research findings to leading businesses and academics. Previous conferences have been hosted in major UK cities like London and Oxford.
• Publication Opportunities: Have your work published and made freely available on the GeoDS website.

This program is invaluable for students aiming to pursue successful careers in business analytics, data science, and related fields.

How to Apply

The application process is as follows:

1. Select a Project: Browse the available projects, which will be advertised on this webpage each year in mid-January.
2. Submit Application: Complete the application form and send it along with your CV (both in PDF format) to projects@geods.ac.uk.
3. Application Review: Applications will be forwarded to industry partners for consideration until all projects are filled.

Any questions about the process or the scheme may be answered in our FAQ, but otherwise you can contact our team at projects@geods.ac.uk.