---
title: "LLE Evaluation"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-83eff011-e629-429d-b6c4-2d39e95a7942"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-83eff011-e629-429d-b6c4-2d39e95a7942"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-83eff011-e629-429d-b6c4-2d39e95a7942.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-83eff011-e629-429d-b6c4-2d39e95a7942.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION"
published: "2025-10-23"
---

# LLE Evaluation

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-83eff011-e629-429d-b6c4-2d39e95a7942

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-83eff011-e629-429d-b6c4-2d39e95a7942)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-83eff011-e629-429d-b6c4-2d39e95a7942.json)

## Summary

The Department For Education is currently in the planning stage for a procurement titled "LLE Evaluation" with a focus on research and development services and related consultancy services within the education sector. This public procurement pertains to a significant initiative evaluating the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), set to transform the higher education funding landscape in England. The planning documents indicate that a virtual market engagement event is scheduled for 24th November 2025, providing prospective bidders a platform to gather further information and engage directly. The contract is primarily located in England, and the current status is focused on early engagement, with an important milestone being the engagement end date on 21st November 2025.

This tender represents a substantial opportunity for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), to contribute to a pivotal educational policy evaluation. Businesses specialising in consultancy, research, and analytical services will find this opportunity particularly appealing, given its scope and potential impact on education policy. The procurement process is set to employ a market engagement approach, ideal for firms equipped with the capability to undertake thorough evaluations using mixed methods, including primary research. Participation in such a tender could provide an inroad to future government contracts and significantly enhance a company's portfolio within the public sector.

## Notice

Lifelong learning entitlement (LLE) Market Engagement The LLE will launch in AY26/27 where it will replace higher education (HE) student finance loans and advanced learner loans (ALLs) for levels 4 - 6, creating a single funding system. From September 2026, learners will be able to apply for LLE funding for the first time for courses and modules starting from January 2027 onwards. From its launch, the LLE loan will be available for: * full courses at level 4 to 6, such as degrees, technical qualifications, and designated distance-learning and online courses * modules of high-value technical courses (HTQs) at level 4 to 5 * modules from full level 6 qualifications - for example, degrees - that align to: * priority skills needs * the government's industrial strategy Under the LLE, eligible learners will be able to access: * a tuition fee loan, with new learners able to access up to the full entitlement of PS38,140 - equal to 4 years of study based on academic year 2025 to 2026 fee rates * a maintenance loan to cover living costs, for courses with in-person attendance Financial help will also be available for: * learners with disabilities * support with childcare An additional entitlement will be available for priority subjects or longer courses, such as medicine degrees. Learners will be able to see their loan balance through their own LLE personal account hosted by the Student Loans Company (SLC). Market Engagement Event We will be holding a virtual market engagement event on Monday 24th November 2025 (11am-12 noon) to provide more information about the contract and answer questions about the survey. If you would like to attend please forward your email address to Sarah.HORSELL@education.gov.uk and you will be sent a meeting invitation. Additional information: LLE evaluation The aim of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) evaluation is to assess how well LLE has met its objectives; it will provide analysis and commentary on the success and effectiveness of the LLE and determine whether the intervention was well-targeted, cost-effective, whether desired outcomes have been achieved, and examine any unintended consequences. Data and evidence will also inform the benefits management case and the post-implementation review in academic year (AY) 31/32. The evaluation will feature impact, process, and value for money (VfM) approaches. For the first 6 years (academic year (AY) 26/27- 31/32) the evaluation will conduct a process and theory-based impact evaluation, before carrying out VfM analysis in AY 36/37. In AY 31/32 a separate feasibility study will be commissioned to assess the possibility of quasi-experimental (QE) methods to measure the impact of LLE on learners, which, if possible, would be conducted in AY 36/37. Initially, the DfE would like to let a contract for a theory-based impact evaluation (TBIE) and process evaluation of the LLE. The process evaluation will give insight on the implementation of LLE, the successes and challenges of delivery and lessons learnt from the perspective of learners, providers, the Student Loans Company (SLC), the Office for Students (OfS) and DfE colleagues. A mixed methods approach drawing on DfE administrative datasets and primary research will enable this. Similarly, the TBIE will use mixed methods and DfE administrative datasets and primary research to test both causal claims within the theory of change (ToC) and the alternative theories generated. This will enable an assessment of the contribution that LLE has made to measured outcomes. Market Engagement Event We will be holding a virtual market engagement event on Monday 24th November 2025 (11am-12 noon) to provide more information about the contract and answer questions about the survey. If you would like to attend please forward your email address to Sarah.HORSELL@education.gov.uk and you will be sent a meeting invitation.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/90c25f56-3e34-4fa8-9275-1012fec1b6eb |
| Notice type | Planned Procurement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Not specified |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 21 Nov 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION |
| Locality | MANCHESTER |
| Post town | Manchester |
| Postcode | M1 2WD |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester |
| ITL 3 | TLD33 Manchester |
| Local authority | Manchester |
| Electoral ward | Piccadilly |
| Westminster constituency | Manchester Central |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

## Release History

- 23 Oct 2025 at 07:51 - Planning - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/90c25f56-3e34-4fa8-9275-1012fec1b6eb

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/90c25f56-3e34-4fa8-9275-1012fec1b6eb
  23rd October 2025 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/8fd0fab0-ccc8-430e-b47f-e7674a1f0c49

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-83eff011-e629-429d-b6c4-2d39e95a7942. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-83eff011-e629-429d-b6c4-2d39e95a7942.json.