Official UK procurement notice
Strategic Partnership for London Branch Campus and International Pathway College (IPC) - Lot 1: International Pathway College (IPC) at the Sheffield Campus
Authority: Sheffield Hallam University (Education)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe International Pathway College (IPC) at Sheffield Campus secures a commercial partnership that will enable the University to deliver an IPC sustainably at scale, with the ability to create a consistently excellent student experience.
The partnership covers a mutually agreed portfolio of level 0, 4, and 6 pathway courses designed to prepare students for higher-level study and an operating model covering systems, processes, support, data, and student engagement.
Securing a long‑term (minimum 10‑year) arrangement, partly to meet UKVI requirements, the International Pathway College (IPC) aims to reach around 500 new students per year by Year 5 (2030/31), with strong progression rates into University degree programmes.
The IPC will be physically integrated into the University estate to strengthen student experience, retention, and access to University facilities.
The contract was entered into on 26th March 2026. However, the Initial Term of ten (10) academic years will commence from the Full Services Commencement Date, anticipated to be 1st January 2027.
The period between contract signature and the Full Services Commencement Date is a mobilisation phase and does not form part of the Initial Term.
- How the procedure runs: This procurement will include multiple tendering rounds: Round 1 - Conditions of Participation Round 2 - Invitation to submit Initial Tender Round 3 - Invitation to negotiate and dialogue, and Invitation to submit Final Tender Round 4 - Notification of outcome and Contract negotiation/award Suppliers may submit a tender for either or both available lots. Any individual supplier may be awarded one or both lots. Both lots may be awarded to the same supplier should any 1 supplier submit the most advantageous tender for both lots. Suppliers who are bidding for both lots, and who remain in the final stage of the tender for both lots, will be given the opportunity to submit a Commercial Efficiency bid (made at the same time as standard bids). This will allow for an improved commercial offer for each Lot should that supplier be successful in being awarded both lots. This Commercial Efficiency bid allows the supplier to account for any commercial efficiencies they can provide by securing both lots. There will be no opportunity to improve the quality aspects of the bid for either lot through the Commercial Efficiency bid. The details of how the Commercial Efficiency bid will be considered as part of the overall evaluation of tenders will be provided in the documentation supporting the subsequent stages of the procurement process. All suppliers who pass the selection stage will be invited to a bidder clarification session to outline the Commercial Efficiency bid process in more detail, ensuring all suppliers understand the process in use to apply the above procedure. It is anticipated that both lots will include negotiation. This will take place with all suppliers who remain in the process following evaluation of initial tenders and then again with the selected supplier for each lot at the final stage of the tender process. The University will exercise its right to rely on regulation 24 of the Procurement Act 2023 and the provisions afforded by special regime (light touch) to refine award criteria as the tender progresses through its various stages. This will be within the parameters and ranges set out in this notice and will be confirmed with all suppliers remaining in the process before the relevant stage at which the criteria will be applied. The University will not make a refinement which would result in award criteria that would, had the refinement been made earlier, have allowed one or more suppliers that did not progress beyond an earlier round or selection process to have done so. The number of suppliers progressing past initial proposal/tender submission will be no more than 2 for each lot. The criteria for deciding the 2 for each lot will be those suppliers who submit the 2 most advantageous tenders combining both quality and commercial aspects, within the percentage ranges as outlined in this notice and as further detailed and specified in the request to submit initial tenders to be issued to those suppliers progressing beyond the initial requests to participate / conditions of participation stage. In accordance with the provisions afforded by special regime (light touch), no minimum number of suppliers is required at any stage of the tender.
- No preliminary market engagement: Preliminary market engagement was undertaken in advance of the start of the application of the Procurement Act 2023. Preliminary Market Engagement was undertaken for an International Pathway College (IPC) partner and a Prior Information Notice ("PIN") was published on 14 September 2023. The introductory information provided to Suppliers engaged in the Preliminary Market Engagement sessions is incorporated into the Specifications included in the opportunity Bid Pack.
CPV: Higher education services
Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure
2 lots · all with a published value (£862,000,000 together) · same conditions of participation on every lotLot #1International Pathway College (IPC) at the Sheffield Campus.AwardedRenewal Yorkshire & HumberPublished value£112,000,000
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
- Financial capacity to perform the contract,
- Confirmation of holding, or willing to hold prior to award of contract, relevant insurances at the specified levels,
- Technical & professional ability
- Confirmation of, or ability to obtain prior to contract award, the technical resources to ensure compliance with UK GDPR/Data Protection regulations,
- To demonstrate, to an acceptable standard, the relative technical capability and experience evidenced by examples of previous relevant contracts they have undertaken,
- An indication of any competing commitments which may impact on target delivery of the contract requirements.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
The number of suppliers progressing past initial proposal/tender submission will be no more than 2 for each lot.
The criteria for deciding the 2 for each lot will be those suppliers who submit the 2 most advantageous tenders combining both quality and commercial aspects, within the percentage ranges as outlined in this notice and as further detailed and specified in the request to submit initial tenders to be issued to those suppliers progressing beyond the initial requests to participate / conditions of participation stage.
Lot #2London Branch CampusNo awardRenewal LondonPublished value£750,000,000
Sheffield Hallam University (the University) is happy to present an opportunity for a strategic partner (the Partner) to collaborate with one of the UK's leading modern universities to manage and operate our new London campus.
This venture combines the University's reputation for applied learning and teaching, and outstanding student success, with the unmatched potential of a prime location in Brent Cross Town, an award-winning landmark regeneration project in North-West London.
The new London campus represents the University's ambition to extend our reach and influence, with a clear strategic agenda for sustained long term growth.
We are seeking a commercial partner to deliver a diverse range of courses at the London campus, designed to attract high numbers of students from UK and international markets. This partnership is critical to ensuring the operational and financial sustainability of the campus while meeting the needs of an increasingly dynamic and competitive higher education landscape.
The University offers a combination of reputation, expertise, and ambition to the partnership, and an ideal foundation to create a thriving educational hub in one of the world's most vibrant cities.
We will use this expertise and standing in the context of our Degree Awarding Powers to award high quality validated courses with long experience of strong recruitment, effective delivery, high student satisfaction and professional body accreditation; experience of working with public and private sector partners; and a robust Quality Assurance framework to ensure high standards and regulatory security.
We require a strong partner to maximise the opportunity forged by the prime location and market for a new University campus in London.
a summary of how those goods, services or works will be supplied,
The University's London building is under construction and on-track for an anticipated opening date of September 2026.
Sheffield Hallam is leasing the 6 lower floors of the first commercial building, occupying circa 110,000 sq. ft, featuring a low-carbon hybrid timber and concrete structure. The university will have its own dedicated entrance, plus cycling and shower facilities to support sustainable transport options for staff and students.
The University's preferred approach is a model in which the Partner takes maximum responsibility for delivery, under the University's brand, and delivers Sheffield Hallam quality assured and validated courses to registered students, who will graduate with a Sheffield Hallam University degree.
The University is open to discussion around the most appropriate legal structure to support the delivery of the London campus. However, based on advice to date, the University has a preference for contractual joint venture or service delivery contract as the legal basis for the Partnership.
The University's preference is for the Partner to return to the University the lease costs for which the University is liable. The Partner would be responsible for the operation of the leased areas of the building. The Partner will be expected to maximise contribution from the campus, by successfully growing student income and designing efficient delivery within the context of the University's brand and quality expectations.
The University anticipates agreement that investment (including Capital Expenditure incurred or planned) and operational costs will be borne by the Partner, irrespective of the volume of student enrolment and income. Where income is not sufficient to cover costs, the Partner will remain liable for agreed expenditure. Conversely, while the University expects a fixed share of revenue, the Partner will benefit directly from increased revenue associated with strong performance.
As part of the agreement, the University and the Partner will need to devise a financial operating model that will enable both parties to manage accountability and financial flows between parties in a transparent, effective and efficient manner, with clearly agreed responsibilities.
The taught portfolio for the London campus will consist of Sheffield Hallam University validated courses, agreed with the Partner, to meet the requirements of the market, and drive high volume of enrolment. The University has undertaken extensive research to identify and make ready an Undergraduate and Postgraduate portfolio, with existing strengths reflected in courses across Computing, Business, Finance, Accountancy, Psychology and Public Health, that are already validated and in delivery in Sheffield.
It is assumed that portfolio selection will be agreed in collaborative dialogue, based on an assessment of viability, feasibility and desirability as jointly assessed by the University and Partner. Governance will be established to manage such decisions, and the University will have final control over portfolio approval, including courses, entry requirements, tariffs and discounts, whist also enabling agile development.
At the University, the student is at the heart of everything we do. The London campus must have a vibrant culture that fosters a sense of belonging and community among students, enhancing their experience. We are committed to cultivating an environment where all students are challenged, supported and encouraged to succeed during and after their time with us.
Further detail is included in the full tender pack.
Contract award estimated December 2025, for a period of 10 years commencing with first student intake with the option for an additional 5 years by mutual agreement. Launch into market early 2026 with first student in-take September 2026.
Direct and indirect services to support student flow proportionate to the available floorspace: Phase 1: 71,342sq ft of floor space available in academic year 2026/27. Phase 2: additional 39,396sq ft of floor space (110,738sq ft in total) is planned for academic year 2029/30.
- Economic & financial standing
- Financial capacity to perform the contract,
- Confirmation of holding, or willing to hold prior to award of contract, relevant insurances at the specified levels,
- Technical & professional ability
- Confirmation of, or ability to obtain prior to contract award, the technical resources to ensure compliance with UK GDPR/Data Protection regulations,
- To demonstrate, to an acceptable standard, the relative technical capability and experience evidenced by examples of previous relevant contracts they have undertaken,
- An indication of any competing commitments which may impact on target delivery of the contract requirements.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
The number of suppliers progressing past initial proposal/tender submission will be no more than 2 for each lot.
The criteria for deciding the 2 for each lot will be those suppliers who submit the 2 most advantageous tenders combining both quality and commercial aspects, within the percentage ranges as outlined in this notice and as further detailed and specified in the request to submit initial tenders to be issued to those suppliers progressing beyond the initial requests to participate / conditions of participation stage.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
- Economic & financial standing
- Financial capacity to perform the contract,
- Confirmation of holding, or willing to hold prior to award of contract, relevant insurances at the specified levels,
- Technical & professional ability
- Confirmation of, or ability to obtain prior to contract award, the technical resources to ensure compliance with UK GDPR/Data Protection regulations,
- To demonstrate, to an acceptable standard, the relative technical capability and experience evidenced by examples of previous relevant contracts they have undertaken,
- An indication of any competing commitments which may impact on target delivery of the contract requirements.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
The number of suppliers progressing past initial proposal/tender submission will be no more than 2 for each lot.
The criteria for deciding the 2 for each lot will be those suppliers who submit the 2 most advantageous tenders combining both quality and commercial aspects, within the percentage ranges as outlined in this notice and as further detailed and specified in the request to submit initial tenders to be issued to those suppliers progressing beyond the initial requests to participate / conditions of participation stage.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA, CPTPP)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 26 Feb 2025, 12:37 GMT
- Last source update
- 25 Sept 2026, 15:42 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 8 Dec 2025
- Authority reference
2425-10-SETL-CR- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-007279- Accelerated
- Light touch contract
- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e813Find a Tender
- How it runs
This procurement will include multiple tendering rounds:
Round 1 - Conditions of Participation
Round 2 - Invitation to submit Initial Tender
Round 3 - Invitation to negotiate and dialogue, and Invitation to submit Final Tender
Round 4 - Notification of outcome and Contract negotiation/award
Suppliers may submit a tender for either or both available lots.
Any individual supplier may be awarded one or both lots.
Both lots may be awarded to the same supplier should any 1 supplier submit the most advantageous tender for both lots. Suppliers who are bidding for both lots, and who remain in the final stage of the tender for both lots, will be given the opportunity to submit a Commercial Efficiency bid (made at the same time as standard bids). This will allow for an improved commercial offer for each Lot should that supplier be successful in being awarded both lots. This Commercial Efficiency bid allows the supplier to account for any commercial efficiencies they can provide by securing both lots. There will be no opportunity to improve the quality aspects of the bid for either lot through the Commercial Efficiency bid. The details of how the Commercial Efficiency bid will be considered as part of the overall evaluation of tenders will be provided in the documentation supporting the subsequent stages of the procurement process.
All suppliers who pass the selection stage will be invited to a bidder clarification session to outline the Commercial Efficiency bid process in more detail, ensuring all suppliers understand the process in use to apply the above procedure.
It is anticipated that both lots will include negotiation. This will take place with all suppliers who remain in the process following evaluation of initial tenders and then again with the selected supplier for each lot at the final stage of the tender process.
The University will exercise its right to rely on regulation 24 of the Procurement Act 2023 and the provisions afforded by special regime (light touch) to refine award criteria as the tender progresses through its various stages. This will be within the parameters and ranges set out in this notice and will be confirmed with all suppliers remaining in the process before the relevant stage at which the criteria will be applied.
The University will not make a refinement which would result in award criteria that would, had the refinement been made earlier, have allowed one or more suppliers that did not progress beyond an earlier round or selection process to have done so.
The number of suppliers progressing past initial proposal/tender submission will be no more than 2 for each lot. The criteria for deciding the 2 for each lot will be those suppliers who submit the 2 most advantageous tenders combining both quality and commercial aspects, within the percentage ranges as outlined in this notice and as further detailed and specified in the request to submit initial tenders to be issued to those suppliers progressing beyond the initial requests to participate / conditions of participation stage.
In accordance with the provisions afforded by special regime (light touch), no minimum number of suppliers is required at any stage of the tender.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 21 Mar 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Submission deadline
- 21 Mar 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
26 Feb 2025 → 25 Sept 2026 · 6 dates- Tender notice published26 Feb 2025, 12:37 GMT
- Submission deadline21 Mar 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Assessment summaries sent379 days ago2 Oct 2025, 00:00 BST
- Award decision expected by311 days ago8 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts283 days ago6 Jan 2026
- Latest notice published20 days ago25 Sept 2026, 15:42 BST
Notice history
7 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 26 Feb 2025- Tender notice published26 Feb 2025, 12:37 GMTUK4
- Transparency notice published19 Jan 2026, 16:00 GMTUK5
- Contract award notice published4 Mar 2026, 14:07 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete4 Mar 2026, 14:07 GMT
- Contract signature expected20 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract details notice published21 Jul 2026, 14:14 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published25 Sept 2026, 15:42 BSTUK7
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2025-02: 1 release · 26 Feb 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · International Pathway College (IPC) at the Sheffield Campus.2 awards | |||
| OXFORD INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAVEL LIMITED1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2036 · up to 1 Sept 2041Extensions: Either the university or the supplier may initiate a request to extend the term of the agreement for an additional period of up to five years, subject to mutual agreement and provided that any such extension is co-terminus with the relevant lease (or other occupational arrangements) in place at the time. | £172,000,000 inc. VAT | 30 Sept 2025 | Awarded |
| OXFORD INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAVEL LIMITED | — | — | Awarded |
Contracts
International Pathway College (IPC) at the Sheffield Campus · OXFORD INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAVEL LIMITED
- Signed
- 26 Mar 2026
- Value
- £172,000,000 inc. VAT
- Period
- 1 Jan 2027 – 31 Dec 2036 · up to 31 Dec 2041 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Either the university or the supplier may initiate a request to extend the term of the agreement for an additional period of up to five years, subject to mutual agreement and provided that any such extension is co-terminus with the relevant lease (or other occupational arrangements) in place at the time.
Contract 2 · OXFORD INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAVEL LIMITED
- Signed
- 26 Mar 2026
- Value
- £172,000,000 inc. VAT
- Period
- 1 Jan 2027 – 31 Dec 2036 · up to 31 Dec 2041 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Either the university or the supplier may initiate a request to extend the term of the agreement for an additional period of up to five years, subject to mutual agreement and provided that any such extension is co-terminus with the relevant lease (or other occupational arrangements) in place at the time.
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · International Pathway College (IPC) at the Sheffield Campus. | 1final-stage tenders | 0 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- wonOXFORD INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAVEL LIMITED · South East England · 1
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- OXFORD INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAVEL LIMITEDAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (7)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Signed contract
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: Further commercially sensitive commercial data will be provided to all suppliers who progress past the selection (conditions of participation) stage. Suppliers will be asked to agree to and sign a non-disclosure agreement which will allow for access to a data room containing this additional information. Full details of the location of, and how to access the data room will be provided to the relevant suppliers by secure message through the University's tendering portal.
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender