University of Birmingham - The Frank Downton Prize

The Frank Downton Prize

The one-off cash prize of about 614 EUR is awarded for the best MSc thesis in the fields of data science, probability theory and statistics. The prize is awarded by the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. It is presented once a year at the graduation reception. The prize is named after Frank Downton, a former professor of mathematical statistics at the university.

Who can apply

You cannot apply for this prize. The school selects the winner. You are eligible for the award if you meet all of the following criteria:

• Where you study: You are at the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Birmingham.
• Degree: You are about to complete your MSci, the four-year integrated Master’s degree programme in Mathematics.
• Subject of your project: Your final-year dissertation focuses on data science, probability theory and statistics.
• Performance: Your supervisor and examiners rate your project highest in this area.
• Nationality: Open to people of all nationalities. The price depends on your work, not on where you come from.

How realistic are your chances?

The university selects one MSci student each year; it is therefore a single award within a single department at a university. Only MSci students from Birmingham who are writing a dissertation in the fields of data science, probability theory and statistics are eligible for the award, which keeps the pool of candidates small. Your chances depend entirely on how well your dissertation compares with those of your fellow students.