Award

Consultancy services on HE rankings

UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

26 Feb 2026 at 16:56

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

26 Feb 2026 at 09:48

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of East Anglia (UEA) has completed a procurement process to award a contract for consultancy services focusing on Higher Education rankings. Based in Norwich, UEA is seeking to build understanding of ranking methodologies through workshops and seminars, alongside an in-depth analysis of up to ten subject areas. The contract, valued at £231,630, was awarded to QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited, a large firm located in London, under the 'direct award' procurement method due to their unique expertise in the QS World Rankings. The consultancy will commence on 23rd March 2026 and run until 23rd March 2027, with an award publication date of 26th February 2026. This contract falls under the services category, with business and management consultancy being the key industry sector, and is set within the UKH15 region.

This procurement offers substantial opportunities for business growth, specifically in the consultancy sector focussing on Higher Education. The scope includes institutional workshops, seminars, and benchmarking analysis that can be leveraged by businesses offering these services. It is particularly tailored for consultancy firms possessing expertise in data analysis, strategic planning, and rankings methodologies. Given QS Limited's exclusive access to specific analytical tools and undisclosed comparative insights, similar consultancies could explore offering bespoke services and strategic guidance to educational institutions aiming to improve their ranking performance. Such opportunities can further attract businesses adept at handling large-scale and data-driven projects within educational contexts.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Consultancy services on HE rankings

Notice Description

The UEA is seeking consultancy offering a series of institutional workshops and seminars plus a wider in-depth analysis of up to 10 subject areas. The contract will deliver: - A programme of institutional workshops and seminars designed to build internal understanding of ranking methodologies and performance drivers. - Detailed benchmarking analysis, including in-depth review of up to ten subject areas, to inform targeted improvement planning. - Access to non-public comparative insights and analytical tools to support evidence-based strategic decision-making. In addition 5-year subscription to the QS Stars rating system.

Procurement Information

QS are the devisers of their own QS World Rankings. Therefore, only QS have expert knowledge of how their rankings are compiled and have access to the unpublished data and peer benchmarking that is required to develop an evidence-driven rankings strategy to specifically improve QS performance. QS are the only international rankings to offer an additional rating system allowing universities to showcase areas important to students not captured in traditional world rankings. Their unique QS Stars badges allow institutions to globally promote their strengths.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065cb7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017587-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
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

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£231,630 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
23 Mar 2026 - 23 Mar 2027 1-2 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
UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NORWICH
Postcode
NR4 7TJ
Post Town
Norwich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH5 Norfolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH51 Norwich and East Norfolk
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Norwich
Electoral Ward
University
Westminster Constituency
Norwich South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

QS QUACQUARELLI SYMONDS

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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