II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79600000
80300000
80400000
80500000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKN
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Ulster University wishes to enter into a contractual arrangement with an experienced third party provider to establish an embedded International Pathway College ("IPC") on its Belfast campus to deliver educational study programmes to international students to equip them with the skills/qualifications required to enrol on an undergraduate or postgraduate course at Ulster University. This presents an exciting opportunity for a suitably experienced and innovative partner to enter into a contractual agreement with Ulster University to realise its ambitions for the IPC. The partner will be responsible for the operational running of the IPC, delivering programmes, promoting the college, recruitment of international students, administration of admissions and providing teaching services.
The IPC will support the University's ambition to significantly increase the number of international students. To achieve this vision, it is envisaged that the IPC will be established in partnership with a private provider; be physically embedded in Ulster University's Belfast campus; and be established such that the IPC students will have appropriate rights and access to the University's facilities such as library, laboratories, studios, classrooms and student accommodation.
It is intended that the relationship will facilitate a successful collaboration between the two entities, creating a true partnership with the shared ambition of maximising the success of the IPC. To realise this, the parties will enter into a contractual arrangement, the exact terms of which it is anticipated may form part of any negotiations undertaken during the procurement process.
The key objective of this competition is to run a competitive procurement process for the University to select a private partner with whom it can enter into the contractual arrangement to set up and run an IPC on the Belfast campus. The exact programmes to be provided at the IPC will be developed by the successful tenderer in collaboration with the University, driven by market demand and business intelligence. It is anticipated, however, that the IPC will provide Foundation Year, International Year One and Pre-Masters programs leading to further study at the University on undergraduate degree and master’s programmes in a range of disciplines across the four faculties: (a) Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; (b) Business; (c) Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment; and (d) Life and Health Sciences.
It is anticipated that the first cohort of students will be recruited for September 2026 intake.
The appointed partner will contribute expertise in successfully delivering embedded
colleges for other further education institutions and the drive, determination and innovation to ensure that the IPC in Belfast is marketed and promoted successfully and effectively to the global student market, and fully aligns with Ulster University's internationalisation priorities.
The University will contribute the teaching and administrative facilities required to operate the IPC; support for the partner to maximise the IPC success; and seeking to create a true partnership to optimise benefits for both parties.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: IPC Design Setup Plan and Implementation
/ Weighting: 15
Quality criterion: IPC Programmes
/ Weighting: 10
Quality criterion: Marketing. Recruitment, Admissions and Retention and progression
/ Weighting: 15
Quality criterion: Student Experience and Support
/ Weighting: 10
Quality criterion: Social Value
/ Weighting: 10
Cost criterion: Rent/running costs
/ Weighting: 5
Cost criterion: Partner Share IPC
/ Weighting: 15
Cost criterion: Capital Contribution
/ Weighting: 5
Cost criterion: Net Income from Progression
/ Weighting: 15
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The estimated total contract value stated above in Section II.2.6 reflects the maximum possible contract period of 240 months, but the contractual arrangement will comprise an initial term of 120 months, which period shall commence on the date on which the first cohort of students commence their courses at the College, followed by such number of extensions (of not less than 12 months' duration each) at the option of the University as the University requires, subject to the initial term and all extensions not exceeding in aggregate a period 240 months.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No