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Strategic Partnership for London Branch Campus and International Pathway College (IPC) - Lot 1: International Pathway College (IPC) at the Sheffield Campus

Sheffield Hallam University

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

25 Sep 2026 at 15:42

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

21 Jul 2026 at 14:14

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

04 Mar 2026 at 14:07

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

26 Feb 2025 at 12:37

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Sheffield Hallam University procured a strategic partner to deliver an International Pathway College at its Sheffield campus. The service covers an agreed portfolio of level 0, 4 and 6 courses to prepare international students for higher-level study, alongside the college’s operating model: systems, processes, student support, data and student engagement. The college is intended to operate within the university estate and provide access to university facilities. The partnership is designed to deliver pathway education at scale and support progression into the university’s degree programmes. The work is higher education services (CPV 80300000), delivered in Sheffield.

The Sheffield International Pathway College procurement is complete and awarded to Oxford International Education & Travel Limited. The award was made on 30 September 2025, and the contract was signed on 26 March 2026. The award and contract value are each £172 million gross. The contract runs from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2036, with an option for a mutually agreed extension of up to five years, subject to the relevant lease or other occupational arrangements. The university used a selective competitive flexible procedure. Evaluation balanced commercial and quality considerations: price, operating model, and mobilisation and deliverability. One supplier submitted a bid for this lot. The tender’s stated scale target was around 500 new students a year by year five, 2030/31.

For suppliers considering comparable future work with Sheffield Hallam, this award shows demand for a long-term partner able to operate an international pathway college as an integrated part of the university. A credible competitor would need financial capacity, appropriate insurance, and the technical resources to meet UK GDPR and data-protection requirements. The selection also called for evidence of relevant contracts and delivery experience, and disclosure of competing commitments that could affect performance. The winning requirement combined commercial strength with a robust operating model and a deliverable mobilisation plan; academic course delivery must support student experience and progression into university degrees. Suppliers should be equipped to coordinate systems, processes, student support, data and engagement across a substantial education operation. The selection criteria also favoured suppliers able to demonstrate capacity to sustain the partnership over its long-term term.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Strategic Partnership for London Branch Campus and International Pathway College (IPC) - Lot 1: International Pathway College (IPC) at the Sheffield Campus

Notice Description

The 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.

Lot Information

International Pathway College (IPC) at the Sheffield Campus.

Renewal: An option will be included to extend the contract for both lots by an additional 5 years immediately following the completion of the initial 10 year period. This extension will be activated by the mutual agreement of the University and the supplier.

London Branch Campus

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.

Renewal: An option will be included to extend the contract for both lots by an additional 5 years immediately following the completion of the initial 10 year period. This extension will be activated by the mutual agreement of the University and the supplier.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e813
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091119-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80300000 - Higher education services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£862,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£862,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
£172,000,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
£172,000,000 £100M-£1B

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Sep 20251 years ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2036 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Active, Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Sheffield Hallam University
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD
Postcode
S1 1WB
Postcode Area
Sheffield
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE3 South Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE32 Sheffield
Delivery Location
TLE32 Sheffield, TLI71 Barnet
Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
City
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

OXFORD INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAVEL LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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