This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

02 Oct 2025 at 11:01

Tender

16 Apr 2025 at 16:53

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by Glasgow Caledonian University focused on acquiring in-country presence services in key regions including South Asia (excluding Pakistan), Nigeria, and South East Asia. This initiative falls under the industry category of business development consultancy services and is aimed at enhancing the university's student recruitment strategy across international markets. The procurement exercise was conducted through an open procedure, compliant with the EU procurement regulations, and covered under the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). Key deadlines for submissions were up until 16th May 2025, with the tender opening on the same date. The procurement stage has reached completion, with active awards signed in September 2025 with suppliers QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd and Illume Student Advisory Services, enhancing recruitment presence in designated regions.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in consultancy services, particularly those with expertise in international student recruitment and market development within the higher education sector. It is ideally suited for businesses that can offer strategic insights, local market intelligence, and facilitate educational brand expansion. Firms specialising in student advisory services, or those with a robust network in key regions such as South Asia and Nigeria, would find a competitive advantage through partnerships with educational institutions like Glasgow Caledonian University. This opportunity allows companies to leverage their understanding of local markets, thereby enhancing the university's ability to implement effective recruitment strategies and achieve international growth objectives. Enterprises capable of delivering comprehensive service solutions encompassing market presence, engagement strategies, and data-driven insights stand to gain from these contractual engagements.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Award for the Provision of In- Country Presence South- Asia, Nigeria & Malaysia (GCU)

Notice Description

The University is seeking a Contractor(s) for the provision of In-Country Presence in the South Asia region (excluding Pakistan), Nigeria and South East Asia. The Directorate of Future Students, Marketing and Communications key function is to develop, manage and execute the University's marketing and recruitment strategy, enabling the University to achieve student recruitment targets (all degree levels) from UK and international markets, as well as more broadly build and bolster our brand position and levels of recognition.

Lot Information

Award for In- Country Presence in South Asia ( excluding Pakistan)

The University has identified the need for continued South Asia regional presence to support recruitment targets and associated objectives. The South Asia region has been identified through market intelligence and experience as a region with potential to contribute significantly to these targets over the next three years. The priority markets in this region for GCU are India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. We require the regional presence in South Asia to support recruitment and conversion activities in these priority markets. We require an in regional presence to provide effective, measurable and proven strategic recruitment and conversion support. Based on research and previous experience of the HE sectors; this presence should be in a city hub in India that fits well with our course portfolio and provides the institution with competitive advantage. (i.e. either Mumbai and Delhi). We are requesting recommendations as how best to resource this. The contractor must have capacity and resources in South Asia region to efficiently facilitate the attainment of international targets.

Award for In- Country Presence in Nigeria

Nigeria has been a top recruitment market for GCU for many years. We require an in-country presence to continue to maximise recruitment opportunities for GCU postgraduate courses and to also grow the appeal of GCU undergraduate courses in the market. The in-country presence will build relationships with key sponsors and visit on a regular basis and participate in local events. The regional presence also needs to provide market insights and intelligence that contributes to maximising recruitment opportunities and mitigating risks. In addition to this operational function the University also require full cycle reporting and reflection on engagement to maximise efficiencies. We require an in regional presence to provide effective, measurable and proven strategic recruitment and conversion support. Based on research and previous experience of the HE sectors; this presence should be in a city hub in Nigeria that fits well with our course portfolio and provides the institution with competitive advantage. We are requesting recommendations as how best to resource this. The contractor must have capacity and resources in Nigeria to efficiently facilitate the attainment of international targets.

Award for In-Country Presence in South East Asia

As GCU begins to enter new priority diversification markets in South East Asia, we are seeking an experienced partner capable of supporting GCU in building, acquiring and maintaining market share over time. Five of our priority diversification markets are in South East Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines). All these markets are at market entry or development stage for GCU, with currently very low enrolment numbers. An in-country presence will serve as the local liaison, fostering consistent communication and relationships with GCU agent network, prospective students and offer holders. By leveraging the local knowledge and cultural understanding, the in-country presence will recommend recruitment and conversion plans to resonate with the target audiences. The representative will conduct information sessions, participate in education fairs, and engage with local schools to actively promote GCU's programmes. The regional presence will provide market insights and intelligence that contributes to maximising recruitment opportunities and mitigating risk in this region. This is crucial for GCU to make informed decisions and adapt its strategies in the dynamic South East Asian region. In addition to this operational function the University also require full cycle reporting and reflection on engagement to maximise efficiencies.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05045e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061592-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£894,647 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Oct 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
16 May 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Sep 202511 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Glasgow Caledonian 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
GLASGOW
Postcode
G4 0BA
Postcode Area
Glasgow
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM82 Glasgow City

Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Illume Student Advisory Services

QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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