Planning

Postgraduate Student Virtual Internships

ASTON UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Jun 2025 at 15:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Aston University, based in Birmingham, is in the planning stage of procuring a service for postgraduate student virtual internships under the industry categories of placement services and vocational training. The procurement process is currently at the engagement phase, with interested parties required to submit a brief company overview by 1 October 2025. This initiative aligns with a potential five-year contract valued at approximately £2,052,500, with the service expected to commence on 1 September 2026 and potentially extendable until 31 August 2031. Designated as a public authority by a sub-central government classification, Aston University is seeking partners capable of managing this significant internship scheme, as detailed in the preliminary market engagement notice.

This tender presents a substantial opportunity for SMEs and VCSEs specializing in virtual personnel placement and vocational training services. Companies with expertise in coordinating and providing scalable internship programs can leverage this opportunity to partner with a prestigious educational institution such as Aston University. The project promises a steady five-year engagement, allowing successful bidders to enhance their portfolio significantly and establish themselves in the higher education sector. Prospective bidders who can demonstrate robust, adaptable, and innovative virtual internship solutions are well-suited to compete, and thereby benefit from the substantial financial and reputational gains associated with this contract.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Postgraduate Student Virtual Internships

Notice Description

Aston University potentially has a requirement for an internship scheme for postgraduate students. The new PG virtual internment scheme will significantly increase the number of virtual internships; the exact number is currently unknown. This engagement exercise seeks to identify potentially suitable partners, capable of managing student virtual internships for Aston's postgraduates. Interested parties are advised to write to Aston and provide a brief company overview. Please note the indicated value is based on a rough annual estimate of circa PS410,500 (with a 5-year contract term equating to PS2,052,500); actual demand and budget is still to be confirmed.

Planning Information

Aston is seeking to identify potentially interested parties. Interested parties are requested to write to Aston and provide a brief company overview.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055204
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034495-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

79610000 - Placement services of personnel

80530000 - Vocational training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,052,500 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ASTON UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Matthew Bowcott
Contact Email
m.bowcott@aston.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 7ET
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG31 Birmingham
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Nechells
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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