Each member college or university is asked to submit their best dissertation to the judges. This generally follows their own assessment at the end of the academic year.  Some of the larger institutions may submit entries from different courses, if the situation merits it.

The reading committee assesses the nominated entries against the criteria of topic relevance & value, depth & breadth of research, clarity of analysis, and quality of presentation.  Final debate and judgement is made in conjunction with the competition Sponsor.

In recent years, Marks and Spencer have sponsored the competition.  Cash prizes are awarded at the Student Conference in November each year.

There have even been occasions when jobs have been offered to nominees by reading committee judges!

2012: Ashlee Stringer, Kimberley Milne, Charlotte Lester

2011: Felicia Pearce, Laura Morgan, Katie Karlsen

2010: Laura Wilson, Sarah Wagstaff, Jessica Worthing-Little

2009: Laura Hill, ...