Planning

UY PROC 1240 - YORK ONLINE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

UNIVERSITY OF YORK

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

09 Feb 2026 at 12:02

Planning

20 Jan 2026 at 16:01

Summary of the contracting process

The University of York is currently in the planning stage of procuring a strategic partner for its York Online portfolio, with the aim of enhancing its global reach and expanding its offerings in higher education services, particularly online courses. This procurement process is designed to identify a partner with expertise in advertising and marketing services, suitable for SMEs. The opportunity, titled "UY PROC 1240 - YORK ONLINE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP," seeks a partner registered with the Office for Students (OfS) or in the process of registration. The process involves a planned procurement method described as a competitive flexible procedure. The initial contract period is from June 2026 to June 2031, with potential extensions up to 2041. Interested parties must register and engage in the Preliminary Market Engagement via the In-tend procurement portal by 20th February 2026, with potential one-on-one online meetings scheduled for late February or early March 2026.

This tender creates substantial opportunities for businesses involved in data-driven marketing, lead generation, and global student recruitment. Companies with capabilities in delivering high-quality digital experiences and possessing insights into higher education markets would find this project aligned with their expertise. Additionally, businesses that excel in B2B sales and recruitment, while offering innovative use of AI for programme development, will have a competitive edge. The University of York promises a collaborative partnership in this venture, as it seeks to expand its degree portfolio with an emphasis on stackables, short courses, and micro-credentials, thus promoting long-term business growth and diversified service offerings within the education industry.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UY PROC 1240 - YORK ONLINE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Notice Description

The University of York, a world-ranked Russell Group institution, is seeking a high-calibre strategic partner to accelerate the growth and global reach of its York Online portfolio. With a mature and successful postgraduate online degree presence, the University is now entering the next phase of its online strategy, with plans to expand its current degree portfolio and develop new offerings in short courses, stackables and micro-credentials. The University of York's contract with its current partner for online programme management is due to expire in March 2027 and we are carrying out a procurement process to appoint a partner to support the next phase of our ambitious plans. We are seeking an OfS registered (or in the process of OfS registration), innovative partner with a proven track record of delivering high-impact, data-driven marketing, lead generation and student recruitment at a global level across a diverse portfolio of degrees, micro-credentials and short-courses. Our future partner will excel in market insight, conversion management, the delivery of a seamless, high-quality digital experience from a UK base for learner recruitment, as well as having capabilities in B2B sales and recruitment providing an authentic University of York experience. The University of York will remain the lead for all current academic pedagogy, teaching, and for the long-term student success and pastoral journey. Following an initial phase of transition for our existing online programmes, we will be looking to take forward new developments including but not necessarily limited to: New and/or revised online Masters degrees University- or partner-developed short courses, with credit-bearing options, that may provide pathways to degrees 'Stackable' short courses and awards Innovative use of AI to support programme development and delivery (content, assessment and feedback) and to enhance the student experience and progression. Initial contract estimated to be June 2026 to June 2031, with potential to renew for a further 5 or 10 years to June 2036 or 2041

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Optional extensions currently envisaged in 5-yr blocks up to 10 yr extension Options to include a broader scope of courses by both subject matter and type of course.

Renewal: Optional extensions currently envisaged in 5-yr blocks up to 10 yr extension Options to include a broader scope of courses by both subject matter and type of course.

Planning Information

Interested parties should register at our procurement portal - In-tend: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/york/aspx/Home All information pertinent to this Preliminary Market Engagement will be communicated via the above mentioned portal. Please do not email us. Please use the link, register and follow the instructions on the portal. Our non-disclosure agreement must be signed before sensitive information is shared. Instructions to receive the NDA , will be provided on In-tend. Your status as a bona fide potential service delivery partner with the minimum credentials must be verified before sensitive information is shared. Our consultation focuses upon our substantive draft of the procurement documentation for our imminent Invitation to Participate which will be published in March. We ask you to review our draft Outcomes-based Specification with relevant annexes, our draft legal Term Sheet and our draft Quantitative (price) Reply Form. Our intent is to understand from you what you feel is missing, ambiguous, surprising, unhelpful, valued, strategically aligned etc within the documentation so we can improve it for a better Partnership with you. We ask you to respond to our questionnaire which should be submitted via In-tend by 16:00hrs on Friday 20 February 2026. We reserve the right to hold a 1-2-1 online meeting with a number of the respondents to the questionnaire to better understand their responses and or to explore some of the concepts they raise. Such online meetings would be held on 26 February or 2 March 2026. Please reserve these dates in your diary in case you are requested to attend.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060a4e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011329-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
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

79340000 - Advertising and marketing services

80300000 - Higher education services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Feb 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Mar 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
29 Jun 2026 - 29 Jun 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF YORK
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@york.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
YORK
Postcode
YO10 5DD
Post Town
York
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Hull Road
Westminster Constituency
York Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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