UY PROC 1240 - YORK ONLINE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Estimated value
—
Awarded value
—
Suppliers
0
Lots
1
Published
09 Feb 2026
This is a preliminary market engagement notice
Map the supplier landscape and document your shortlist before opening the tender. The market simulation produces a defensible audit record you can attach to your procurement file.
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
Scope
- Reference
- UY PROC 1240
- Total value
- Above the relevant threshold
- Commercial tool
- Standalone contract
- Contract dates
- 29 Jun 2026 to 29 Jun 2031Possible extension to 29 Jun 2041
Where the services and commercial offer have evolved or remained similar in scale and or nature, where the requirement continues, where the performance of the services continues to meet our requirements, the University reserves the right to extend this agreement by either one or two consecutive periods of five years.
- Main category
- services
- CPV classifications
- 7934000080300000
- Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Award criteria
Criteria the buyer will use to evaluate bids.
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total income current programmes | total income to University on current programmes years 1-5 | price | 25.00% |
| Total income new programme proposals | Total income to University on new programme proposals years 1-10 | price | 10.00% |
| Business plan | — | quality | 10.40% |
| Widening participation | — | quality | 5.20% |
| Marketing plan (degrees) | — | quality | 3.90% |
| Recruitment strategy | — | quality | 3.90% |
| Recruitment service | — | quality | 3.90% |
| Admissions | — | quality | 3.90% |
| Monitoring quality | — | quality | 3.90% |
| Organisational capability | — | quality | 5.85% |
| Implementation plan (degrees) | Percentage rounded for the notice | quality | 4.88% |
| Data integration | Percentage rounded for the notice | quality | 3.58% |
| Short courses proposal | Percentage rounded for the notice | quality | 4.87% |
| Marketing plan (short courses) | — | quality | 3.90% |
| Implementing (short courses) | Percentage rounded for the notice | quality | 0.97% |
| Research | — | quality | 3.25% |
| Contract amendments | — | quality | 1.95% |
| Community benefits | — | quality | 0.65% |
Participation
Conditions suppliers must meet to bid.
As provided in the Invitation to Participate documentation provided at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/york/aspx/Home