Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Procurement of Higher Education Delivery Support Services for Swansea University UK Campuses Initiative

Swansea University

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Oct 2026 at 16:33

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Swansea University is planning to appoint a strategic partner to establish and operate branch-campus facilities supporting its higher education programmes in major UK cities, initially London. The supplier would provide suitable teaching premises, facilities and campus operations, including maintenance, security, health and safety, IT and learning technology, study and welfare spaces, and staff facilities. Services would also cover domestic and international student recruitment and marketing, recruitment partners and events, and student-facing support such as wellbeing, disability and study-skills support, careers, student engagement, timetabling and academic administration. At least one campus is envisaged in Greater London, with Central London or locations well connected by public transport preferred. Swansea University would retain academic governance, teaching, assessment, admissions decisions, quality assurance and degree awards. The services support flexible and face-to-face provision for UK, mature and international learners.

This is at the planning and preliminary market-engagement stage; there is no invitation to tender or competition yet. Swansea expects to hold closed online meetings with interested providers during the week commencing 9 November 2026. The procurement process is expected to start in late November, with a future tender notice anticipated in December 2026 and contract commencement expected in summer 2027. The buyer is considering its procurement strategy and contract structure; a long-term arrangement, potentially around 10 years, is envisaged, subject to approvals, business-case development and market feedback. The listed contract period runs from August 2027 to August 2032, with a possible maximum extent to August 2037. The future opportunity’s value is still under development. The contract depends on Swansea securing UKVI approval to extend its sponsorship licence to any new campus. No lots, eligibility rules or evaluation criteria have been settled in the planning information.

The work is likely to suit an established higher-education delivery or campus-operations provider able to combine property and facilities management with recruitment, marketing and extensive student support. Swansea is seeking demonstrable experience operating higher-education campuses or study centres, creating an inclusive, high-quality student environment, and delivering recruitment and student services at scale in regulated higher-education settings. Providers should be able to secure suitable premises with appropriate permissions and lease arrangements, mobilise services to the required timetable, and maintain campus technology, facilities and student-facing operations. Strong safeguarding and student-welfare arrangements, financial resilience and organisational capacity are expected. The University also highlights widening participation and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Market engagement is intended to test the scope, delivery models, commercial structure, duration and available supplier capacity; participation will not affect evaluation of any later tender. The University retains academic responsibilities.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Procurement of Higher Education Delivery Support Services for Swansea University UK Campuses Initiative

Notice Description

Procurement of Higher Education Delivery Support Services for Swansea University UK Campuses Initiative Contracting Authority: Swansea University Estimated Tender Notice Publication Date: December 2026 Estimated Contract Commencement Date: Summer 2027 ________________________________________ 1. Overview Swansea University is undertaking preliminary market engagement in advance of a planned procurement exercise for a strategic partner to support the establishment and operation of Swansea University branch campus provision within major metropolitan centres across the United Kingdom, with an initial focus on London. This notice is issued to inform the market of the University's future intentions and to seek engagement with experienced providers prior to the commencement of a formal procurement process. 2. Background The University is exploring a branch campus model designed to extend access to Swansea University programmes and support its strategic ambitions for growth, widening participation and enhanced geographical reach. Swansea University is considering the procurement of a strategic delivery partner to support the establishment and operation of Swansea University campus provision within major UK metropolitan locations, with our initial priority in London. The proposed model would retain Swansea University responsibility for all academic matters, including academic governance, programme delivery, curriculum, assessment, quality assurance and award conferral, whilst an external provider would deliver a range of non-academic support services necessary for the successful operation of the campus. The branch campus model is intended to serve: * UK-based students who may benefit from studying in a major urban centre. * Non-traditional and mature learners requiring flexible delivery models, including blended, evening and weekend provision. * International students seeking a traditional, full-time, face-to-face higher education experience in a major UK city. 3. Scope of Services The University is seeking a supplier capable of providing a range of operational, student-facing and facilities-related services in support of Swansea University programme delivery. The scope is anticipated to include: Property, Facilities and Infrastructure * Securing, operating and maintaining suitable teaching and learning premises at locations approved by Swansea University. As a minimum, the Provider shall make available one campus location within Greater London. Preference will be given to locations within Central London or areas offering excellent connectivity to major public transport networks within Greater London. The facility should have appropriate ownership or leaseholder arrangements in place for the life of the contract (with Swansea jointly named on the lease as an occupant). * The facility should have appropriate planning permissions and any other permissions deemed necessary for the provision of education. * Campus maintenance and operational management. * Health and safety compliance. * Building security and access control. * Utilities and facilities management. * Provision of student study, welfare, student support and social spaces. * Provision of staff offices, meeting rooms and welfare facilities. * Audio-visual, digital teaching and learning infrastructure. * Campus IT support services. * Provision of appropriate insurance cover, including public liability, employer's liability and professional indemnity insurance, with limits acceptable to Swansea University. Marketing and Recruitment * Domestic and international student recruitment. * Recruitment planning and delivery. * Lead generation and support conversion activities. * Agent and recruitment partner management. * Recruitment events. * Marketing campaign development and delivery. * Market analysis and demand forecasting. * Production of recruitment and marketing materials, including digital media. * Reporting on recruitment performance and student forecasts. Student Support Services * Student wellbeing and welfare support. * Disability support and support for reasonable adjustments. * Study skills and academic skills support. * English-language support. * Student representation and feedback mechanisms. * Careers and employability services. * Student engagement and community-building activities. * Timetabling, assessment administration and academic administration support. * Complaints, misconduct and disciplinary administration. * Graduation event support All of the services provided will need to be in accordance with Swansea Universities policies, procedures and processes. 4. Services Excluded from Scope The following activities are expected to remain the responsibility of Swansea University and will not form part of the procurement: * Academic governance. * Programme design and approval. * Curriculum development. * Teaching and assessment. * Quality assurance. * Award and degree conferral. * Academic regulations and policies. * Relationships with regulatory bodies including MEDR, the Office for Students, QAA and UKVI. * Admissions process and admissions decision-making. * Compliance activities for admittance of international students, including the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). * Visa and immigration support. * Tuition fee collection and financial administration relating to student fees. 5. Procurement Objectives The University expects any future provider to demonstrate: * Significant experience supporting higher education delivery. * Demonstrable experience of operating higher education campuses or study centres, with a proven track record of creating a high-quality, vibrant and inclusive campus environment that delivers an excellent student experience and fosters a strong sense of belonging and engagement. * Experience delivering recruitment and student support services at scale. * Experience operating within regulated higher education environments. * Strong safeguarding and student welfare arrangements. * Financial resilience and organisational capacity. * Ability to mobilise services within required timescales. * Commitment to widening participation, equality, diversity and inclusion. 6. Proposed Procurement Approach The University is currently considering its procurement strategy and contract structure. A long-term arrangement is anticipated, potentially in the region of 10 years, subject to approvals, business case development and market feedback. The procurement process is expected to commence in late November. The University intends to undertake pre-market engagement activities with interested suppliers to: * Test the scope of services. * Understand potential delivery models. * Explore commercial structures and contract durations. * Assess market capacity and capability. * Inform the development of the final procurement documentation. 7. Contact Details and Next Steps The contract will be subject to Swansea University gaining approval from UKVI to expand our sponsorship licence to any new campus. The estimated value and scale of the future opportunity are currently under development and will be confirmed within any future procurement documentation. The University will be conducting preliminary market engagement, via closed meetings with interested providers. Organisations with relevant experience and capability are invited to register an interest in participating in preliminary market engagement activities. In order to register your interest please email O.N.Cullen@swansea.ac.uk. These meetings will take place online, via Zoom. These meetings are planned to take place the week commencing 9 November 2026. Participation in this engagement process will not form part of any future procurement evaluation and will not confer any advantage in any subsequent tender process. Swansea University reserves the right to amend the scope, timetable and procurement approach described in this notice. ________________________________________ This notice is for information and market awareness purposes only and does not constitute a call for competition or an invitation to tender.

Planning Information

The University will be conducting preliminary market engagement, via closed meetings with interested providers. Organisations with relevant experience and capability are invited to register an interest in participating in preliminary market engagement activities. In order to register your interest please email O.N.Cullen@swansea.ac.uk These meetings will take place online, via Zoom. These meetings are planned to take place the week commencing 9 November 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078f8a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100721-2026
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
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
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Oct 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Dec 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Aug 2027 - 2 Aug 2032 Over 5 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
Swansea 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
SWANSEA
Postcode
SA2 8PP
Postcode Area
Swansea
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL4 Mid and South West Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL43 Swansea
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Swansea
Electoral Ward
Sketty
Westminster Constituency
Swansea West

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...