CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

As in 1.1

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

As in 1.1

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

Provision of Market Research and Insight for a new Academic Delivery model

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

The University of South Wales seeks to appoint a provider to provide market research and insight that will inform the potential impact that the new academic delivery model may have when rolled out. The target market for this activity is Full-time undergraduate prospective students (including both UK and International) - 2025 entry onwards.

As a key component of our USW 2030 Strategy, we are currently developing a new academic delivery model that will underpin the future delivery of our curriculum. The model uses evidence-based approaches to provide high-quality and engaging in-person and remote active-learning experiences that are adaptive, inclusive, and equitable. It has been co-designed and supported by AdvanceHE consultancy and is currently subject to a series of small-scale pilot projects and associated evaluation activities.

Before this approach is rolled out across the wider portfolio, we are keen to understand what impact this may have on student recruitment and how best this could be articulated in our proposition. In addition to mitigating any risks, we are keen to understand how the benefits of this approach should be presented to market in order to maximise any student recruitment gains.

The successful agency will be given access to project documentation as well as the results of evaluation activity from the initial pilots conducted as part of the project.

Any additional information shared will be subject to a Non Disclosure Agreement

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=142083.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

Key Objectives

It is expected that this project will need to be completed across two stages and tender responses should evidence how the proposed market research would answer the questions outlined below. Insights gathered in stage 1 will be used to inform further development of USW’s proposition and messaging that would then be tested in stage 2.

Across both stages, the proposed approach must take account of the varied prospective students that USW attract across both Home and International markets as well as the various influencers (including teachers and advisers) that inform and impact these audiences. For Home students, this should include traditional school leavers, mature students, commuter and residential students, both local and national, in addition to those from a widening participation background. For International students, this should include representation from a variety of key markets/countries in terms of both prospective students and recruitment agents. The research should explore and identify any differences in approach across these markets.

Stage 1:

I. How do students want or expect to learn when applying for a full-time undergraduate course?

II. How significant a role does different modes of delivery play in decision making and how do prospective students assess this aspect when researching options?

III. How do prospective students and influencers (including teachers and influencers) feel about more flexible and varied modes of delivery for full-time courses? What are their key concerns? In answering this question, we are keen to understand potential concerns around accessing required technology (including issues around digital poverty), perceptions of likely study spaces/locations, along with any concerns around relationship building/networking and sense of belonging (although the research should not be limited to exploring these three areas).

IV. How do prospective students and influencers feel about USW’s proposed new delivery approach? What are the perceived concerns or benefits of such a proposed approach?

V. What terminology and types of flexible or alternative learning activities resonate and appeal to the target audience and their influencers? If the proposed approach is taken forward, how should USW promote and present this offer at different stage of the pre-enrolment journey?

VI. What impact, if any, would this proposed approach have on opinions of USW or a prospective student’s course of interest?

VII. Is there any awareness of other institutions offering similar approaches? How are these approaches perceived?

Stage 2:

I. How do prospective students and influencers view USW’s proposed new delivery approach (this will have been further refined from the findings of stage 1, including the development of marketing and recruitment outputs covering key channels and activities)?

II. Is the messaging and terminology clear, attractive and aspirational to the key target audiences and their influencers? If not, how should this be amended to address concerns or shortcomings?

III. Feedback regarding different audiences and stages of the pre-enrolment student journey are important as well as the various channels and activities that would be used to present our proposition.

In addition to the above, tender responses should address the following:

• While we would like responses to this tender to provide guidance on the recommended methodology based on their experience of this type of project, we envisage the research would include both qualitative and quantitative elements.

• The findings of this research will inform medium to long-term planning for the University and thus should be robust enough to relate to future years as much as possible, taking account of a changing competitive environment.

• This would be an extensive research project that would need access to a range of different prospective undergraduate students across a breadth of subject areas, plus their influencers, to ensure it leads to robust and reliable results and recommendations.

• Your costs should be itemised and include detail on sample sizes and methodologies for each of the cost options

• We require the research to be completed by the end of December 2024, therefore please outline your timeline for completion of the work with key milestones highlighted.

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

See ITT

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

1873

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

(WA Ref:142083)

Under the terms of this contract the successful supplier(s) will be required to deliver Community Benefits in support of the authority’s economic and social objectives. Accordingly, contract performance conditions may relate in particular to social and environmental considerations. The Community Benefits included in this contract are:

See ITT - Social Value Matrix

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice