Education and training services

Tender description

The University of Sussex wishes to enter into a collaborative partnership for the provision of Online Distance Learning in order to develop new student markets, both nationally and internationally. The proposed offering would allow international students to obtain a UK validated degree from a prestigious university without the expense of living and studying in the UK. Our intention is that the courses provided will be based on a distinct and innovative product, focus on postgraduate awards, and draw upon the University's research strengths. The Sussex offer will be aimed at the professional market and will be initially based on part-time Masters level degree courses. We are seeking to appoint a provider with whom we will enter into a commercial partnership to deliver a first class ‘University of Sussex’ product. This will be achieved by working with us to develop a service delivery model that will include marketing and brand positioning, student recruitment, admissions management, student support, provision of and ongoing support of a Virtual Learning Environment, academic support, project management and ongoing administration. In order to fully develop our business case we are seeking early engagement with potential partners in order to fully understand the commercial models available to us, the current and future state of the market, and the financial implications underpinning a potential venture into this arena. The University has accordingly drawn up a Request for Information (RFI), which provides further details on the programme and requests information from potential partners. The University may use the information obtained to inform its thinking with regard to its requirements, procurement strategy and business case. If you are interested in responding to the RFI please download the RFI document from the In-Tend portal (instructions below). Potential partners are requested to provide responses to the questions contained within the RFI by 12:00 noon on Wednesday 13.4.2016. In order to respond to this Prior Information Notice, potential partners will need to register and/or log on to the In-Tend portal at: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofsussex All communication regarding this opportunity will be conducted via the In-tend portal. In order to view the advertised project click on current tenders and to express an interest select View Tender Details and then click on Express Interest. If you have difficulty please contact the In-Tend Help Desk on 0845 557 8079.