Dissertation Award

The 2025–2026 Dissertation Award has now closed

Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry to the UK Data Service Dissertation Award for 2025–2026.

The submission deadline was 12.00 (BST) on Wednesday 1 July 2026. Entries are now being reviewed by our judging panel. We expect to announce the winners in mid-August 2026.

If you are interested in entering a future award, the information below explains the purpose of the award, eligibility criteria and the judging process. Details of the next competition will be published in October.

About the award

The UK Data Service Dissertation Award recognises students who use data from the UK Data Service in their undergraduate dissertations. Awards will be given to the three best dissertations from this academic year.

Each winning entry will receive a £300 award and publicity via our website, blog and newsletter.

Eligibility

The 2025–2026 award was open to undergraduate students at UK universities whose dissertations:

  • focused on a social science topic
  • used data available through the UK Data Service data catalogue (either for all or part of the analysis)
  • were submitted during the 2025–2026 academic year.

Family members of staff working for the UK Data Service at any institution are not eligible to enter.

Eligibility requirements for future competitions may be updated when the next award opens.

The judging process

Following the submission deadline, a shortlisting panel reviews all completed entry forms before shortlisted dissertations are assessed by a judging panel comprising UK Data Service data experts and senior academics from a range of disciplines.

Judges look for outstanding undergraduate dissertations on social science topics that demonstrate high-quality secondary data analysis and effective use of UK Data Service data.

Previous awards

Read about winners from previous years:

Dissertation resources

Thinking about using UK Data Service data in your dissertation?

Visit the students section of our Learning Hub for guidance on finding data, carrying out secondary data analysis and planning your dissertation project.

Future awards

Information about the next UK Data Service Dissertation Award, including opening and closing dates and how to apply, will be published on this page when the competition opens.