Award

Strategic Partnership for London Branch Campus and International Pathway College (IPC) - Lot 2: London Branch Campus

SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

19 Jan 2026 at 16:00

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Sheffield Hallam University has awarded a contract for the management and operation of its new London Branch Campus to a strategic partner, following a direct award process. This procurement, categorized under higher education services, involves the setting up of a comprehensive partnership for the provision of validated courses at the new campus located in Brent Cross Town, North-West London. The contract is scheduled to commence in September 2026, with an operational period of 10 years and an option to extend for an additional 5 years. This procurement method was utilized as no tenders were received in the final stage of the initial flexible process. Key dates to note include the anticipated contract signature by the end of March 2026, facilitating the timely opening for the first student intake by September 2026.

This tender represents a significant business growth opportunity, especially for organisations with a robust background in higher education services and a strong track record in managing academic programmes in partnership with public or private sector entities. Companies interested in leveraging this opportunity should have expertise in student recruitment, course delivery, and building an engaging campus community. The strategic partner is expected to manage the financial and operational sustainability of the campus while ensuring adherence to the University’s quality standards. Businesses in the education and services sector, especially those focused on international student markets, stand to benefit substantially from participating in this venture by capitalising on the prime London location and the growing demand for higher education from both UK and international students.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Strategic Partnership for London Branch Campus and International Pathway College (IPC) - Lot 2: London Branch Campus

Notice Description

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. The University's London building is under construction and on-track for an anticipated opening date of September 2026. 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 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. 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. Contract award is estimated to be in Spring 2026, for a period of 10 years commencing with first student intake, with the option for an additional 5 years by mutual agreement. Please note, the estimated contract value detailed in this notice is an estimate only and will depend on a number of factors including student numbers / growth and relative responsibilities and risks. The final value of the maximum length of the term may be above or below quotes figures.

Procurement Information

The competitive flexible procedure for this project did not result in the receipt of any tenders at the final stage. As provided for in section 43(1) the University has therefore switched to direct award, including suppliers who demonstrated strong interest during the flexible competitive process. Having received no tenders through a procedure under section 19, the University does not consider an award under section 19 is possible in the circumstances.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060910
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004469-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80300000 - Higher education services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£750,000,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
19 Jan 20261 months ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2036 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
strategicprocurement@shu.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD
Postcode
S1 1WB
Post Town
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
City
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

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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