II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKE32
Main site or place of performance:
Sheffield
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Department of Law & Criminology at Sheffield Hallam University is a large successful
department which has diversified over the past 5 years and brings the University additional
funding in terms of its research and contract work both nationally and internationally which
in turn has improved the REF Unit of Assessment 20 results significantly. The diversification
and subsequent growth is as a direct result of the successful creation of the International
Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice ("HKC").
The University has identified the Law subject area as a pillar subject providing further
resources and support in order to significantly increase undergraduate numbers.
Opportunities
We have a number of strategic priorities that derive directly from a tailored law portfolio
which utilises the HKC brand and the creation of a law school in the new Institute of Law &
Justice. Central to this strategy is the creation of a new LLM postgraduate course (Solicitors
Qualifying Examination "SQE" part 1 & 2) to provide "a cradle to qualification" for students
who want to become solicitors.
Our aim is to create a new suite of postgraduate professional qualifications that will enhance
the refreshed undergraduate portfolio which has been revalidated and is due to roll out in
September 2025. We want to provide a range of 1 and 2 year pathways as well as an LLM law
conversion course with SQE.
We will run the LLM course from our main campus in Sheffield but there is scope to offer this
course from September 2026 from our new London campus. We intend to offer this course
to three specific markets of students - law graduates (from SHU or elsewhere), non-law
graduates (from SHU or elsewhere) and international students (practising lawyers wanting
to practice in the UK).
We require a supplier to provide the SQE preparation training elements which will form part
of the LLM Solicitors Qualification Examination.
The requirement is for a supplier to provide:
• Professional training via an online system which students can access independently
• A readily accessible online support service for system issues
• Professional support for students for academic issues relating to the training provided
• Involvement in a review of the Sheffield Hallam University course design and be involved in
the development of the other law modules provided by SHU which form the LLM award.
Requirements
Online system
The University requires an easily accessible, easy to use, reliable, SaaS system via which
students can receive training and support. University staff would like to be able to access the
system for monitoring purposes but expect the successful supplier to be responsible for all
software resources used by the application.
We would expect the successful supplier to be able to offer access to the training via a wide
variety of devices (e.g. PC, laptop, IoS and android) and that the system would be updated
regularly.
MANDATORY REQUIREMENT - You must meet the requirements of the Public Sector Bodies
(Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 which states you
must make your website or mobile app more accessible by making it 'perceivable, operable,
understandable and robust'. You need to include and update an accessibility statement on
your website.
Curriculum Model
We require delivery of a curriculum which comprehensively covers all the requirements for
SQE 1 & 2 and fully prepares students for the relevant examinations.
Experience & Success
We require a provider with the highest level of experience & success within the HE sector.
Staff Expertise
The University requires a provider with staff who have the highest and most relevant skills
and expertise to contribute towards the opportunities described above and enhance the
reputation of the University.
International Students
The University requires evidence of experience in enrolling and teaching a wide range of
international students.
Student support
We require a comprehensive offering of support from qualified & experienced staff in relation
to the SQE1 & 2 courses you will be delivering.
Our students will require:
• Academic support
• System use / course support (how to get the best out of the system and curriculum model)
• Pastoral care in relation to struggles or concerns with course content
• Specialist advice relating to the diverse needs of the student(s)
EEDI (Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
Sheffield Hallam University is committed to advancing equality of opportunity, experiences
and outcomes; ensuring that students and staff realise their full potential. This is reflected
through the University's civic ambitions, with equality, diversity and inclusion acting as a key
enablers to the University's strategy, Transforming Lives. The University's Equality
Objectives (2021-24) demonstrate our commitment to EEDI.
https://www.shu.ac.uk/about-us/our-values/equality-and-diversity
Standards & Compliance
The University wishes to contract with a provider who complies with all service-related
standards and has robust quality assurance policies and procedures in place.
Collaborative Opportunities
We would like to explore opportunities with the selected provider, to collaborate on the
provision of additional student courses.
Out of Scope
• The award of the qualification of LLM SQE.
• Participation in the delivery of any of the Sheffield Hallam University law modules that form
part of the LLM award.
• The assessment of the Solicitors Qualification Examination Part 1 or Part 2 as this is
delivered by the Solicitors Regulation Authority's approved assessor.
• The process of entering the students into the Solicitors Qualification Examination Part 1 or
Part 2 this remains the responsibility of the individual students and they bear the cost of the
examination fees.
The University reserves the right to make any award that may result from this Invitation to
Tender, on a single supplier award basis, or not at all, at its sole discretion.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Online system
/ Weighting: 7.5%
Quality criterion: Curriculum Delivery Model
/ Weighting: 3.5%
Quality criterion: Previous Experience & Success
/ Weighting: 7%
Quality criterion: Staff Expertise
/ Weighting: 6%
Quality criterion: International Students
/ Weighting: 4%
Quality criterion: Student Support
/ Weighting: 6%
Quality criterion: EEDI (Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
/ Weighting: 4%
Quality criterion: Standards and Compliance
/ Weighting: 2.5%
Quality criterion: Other Collaborative Opportunities
/ Weighting: 2.5%
Quality criterion: Student opportunities - Social Value
/ Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion: Social Value
/ Weighting: 2%
Price
/ Weighting:
50%
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The contract is expected to commence in October 2024 initially for a period of 3 years with a
total anticipated duration of 5 years (3 + 2).
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No