The iMayflower project at the University of Plymouth has recently launched the latest round of part-funded Masters R&D Studentships ahead of its October 2021 intake, as part of the Innovative Placements Scheme. The new scheme will support postgraduate students and industry partners to tackle real-world challenges through the use of new digital technologies.
Alongside iMayflower’s successful Virtual Internships, the Masters R&D Scheme demonstrates the University’s commitment to supporting businesses through the economic recovery period and its dedication to improving future prospects and graduate outcomes for its students.
With Industry partners including Powderham Castle and Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, the Masters R&D Studentship is designed to give businesses access to fresh talent, skillsets and ideas. It involves taking a specified R&D challenge that will contribute to the development of a new product, process, service or experiential offering for the business.
For prospective Postgraduate students, it provides a sought-after opportunity to work collaboratively with one of the University’s established industry partners, applying knowledge and skills in a work context, as well as access to a scholarship of £3000 towards course fees and a £2000 project budget.
Commenting on the programme, Sarah Holcombe, iMayflower Knowledge Exchange Specialist, said:
“The Masters R&D Studentships have been running successfully for over a year, with some fantastic collaborations already under way with the likes of The Box, Volume AI, Ocean 3D and Thomas Duggan Studio. As the scheme enters its next phase of recruitment, we have some phenomenal opportunities available for anyone considering postgraduate study within the arts this year: from exploring gamification with Dartmoor National Park Authority to collaborating with the NHS locally to apply XR technologies in clinical environments. With less than one month to go until the closing date for applications, we’re excited to connect with students, graduates and professionals looking to push the boundaries alongside their postgraduate studies.”
Commenting on his experience of the scheme, Julian Whatley, MA Game Design student, said:
“It’s opened my mind up to what’s possible with the technology that I’m using, and there’s just so much more opportunity for me now.”
Read more about Julian’s collaboration with Ocean 3D
The scheme is part of the iMayflower project and has been supported by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, who fund the Cultural Development Fund, which is administered by Arts Council England.
For more information on the scheme and details on how to apply, visit the Innovative Placements Scheme page or download the Information for Students document.