MRS named as official awarding body for research industry qualifications

Date: 25 September 2001

The Market Research Society (MRS) has today announced that it has received accreditation from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) which makes The MRS the sole official UK awarding body for qualifications in market research.

To achieve the accreditation The MRS had to undergo rigorous assessment by the QCA to ensure compliance with all of the criteria to become an awarding body. This included securing the support of a wide range of individuals and representative bodies, including the Association of Users of Research Agencies (AURA), the Association for Qualitative Research (AQR) and the British Market Research Association (BMRA). It also involved close
co-operation between academia, employers and The MRS as a professional body.

Ruth Martin, Director of Professional Development at The MRS, commented, "Recognition by the QCA represents a landmark development for The MRS. We are constantly striving to raise standards of professional development and the QCA accreditation is acknowledgement of the competence of The MRS and the quality and value of our qualifications."

Malcolm Rigg, Managing Director of BMRB International and Chairman of The MRS Professional Development Advisory Board, added, "MRS status as the UK's official awarding body for qualifications in market research will be of long-term benefit to education providers, employers and individuals. In addition to those taking MRS qualifications to enter the research industry, there are 300,000 undergraduates studying business and marketing in the UK. QCA accreditation will help The MRS to reach these potential research users and to develop their research literacy."

The Chair of The Market Research Society, Sally Ford-Hutchinson, concluded, "This is a demonstration of the commitment of The MRS to the raising of standards in the industry. It will have real benefits for the whole of market research as the better qualified people are, the better the output for our clients."

Notes for Editors

The Market Research Society is the world's largest international membership organisation for professional researchers and others involved or interested in market, social or opinion research.

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