MSc Dissertation Programme 2009/2010

Would you like the opportunity to work with Ordnance Survey on your MSc dissertation?  If so read on......

About the programme

This programme offers you the chance to work with an industrial partner - which provides you with access to real research challenges faced by a commercial organisation as well as looking great on your CV.

Our research covers a wide spectrum of activities and we want to reflect that by encouraging students from a range of disciplines to contact us. We have previously sponsored students studying computer science, geography, GIS and psychology.

What we  provide

• A stimulating project to work on over the coming months
  
  
• Advice and support from the Research  team at Ordnance Survey
  
  
• Ordnance Survey Data including OSMasterMap Layers
  
  
• Up to £700 as recognition of your work
  
  
• A prize for the best presentation

What to do next ....

1  Choose a Project 

List of topics for 2009-2010
Please take a look at the list of topics and see if any of these areas interest you.  The topics are quite wide ranging and we are happy to hear your ideas for projects within these research areas. 

2  Submit a Proposal

Once you have selected a project area from the lise, please send us a one-page synopsis of your proposed research. This should include an overview, objectives of the research, the methodology and planned deliverables.

Please send this to us at university enquiries.   We aim to get back to you within a week to let you know if your proposal has been accepted for the sponsored programme.

In choosing whether to accept your proposal we will consider:

• How closely your proposal fits in with Ordnance Survey's own research work and interests;
  
  
• Whether you have demonstrated a good understanding of the research topic;
  
  
• The extent to which your proposal demonstrates you have taken an interesting and challenging approach to the project;
  
  
• The number of students and the range of topics already accepted on the Msc Dissertation Programme.

3  Working with us

If your proposal is accepted we will then arrange a meeting at Ordnance Survey with your project advisor to discuss the project and any data  requirements in further detail.

4  Present your results to Ordnance Survey

For the final part of the programme you are required to present your results to Ordnance Survey Research staff and often other parts of the business at a presentation day held here.   You are expected to make every effort to attend this event as the presentations will provide a focus for the research programme and allow us to assess your project.

The Presentation day  will  be held at the end of  September. However, if your course has a different timetable or you are a part time student,  then this can be accommodated.

More details on this event will be sent nearer the time.

5 Receive an Award

Following the presentation day and the submmission of your dissertation we will at our discretion make an award of up to £700 as recognition of your work.

The amount of any award will reflect:

• The critical approach you adopt;
  
  
• Your professionalism and level of conscientiousness in tackling the research and working with Ordnance Survey;
  
  
• The quality of your final report or dissertation;
  
  
• The quality of your presentation at the end of the programme.

In addition, if you produce the best research project (as judged by members of the Ordnance Survey Research team at their discretion, taking into account all aspects of your performance during the programme), we will award £1,000 to your university department.