1206 - Postgraduate Research Management System

Description

Aston University is seeking proposals from suitably qualified and experienced suppliers to provide and implement an off-the-shelf solution to support the full Postgraduate Research (PGR) student lifecycle. This procurement aligns with the University’s 2030 Strategy and its ambition to expand its PGR 1community to 1,000 students by 2030. Currently, the University does not have a single system to manage the end-to-end PGR student journey. Processes are fragmented, with a heavy reliance on manual workflows and spreadsheets. Core student data and activities such as enrolment, progression, and award management are handled through Tribal: SITS, alongside other selected processes. A comprehensive review of the PGR student lifecycle—from application through to supervisory meetings, progression monitoring, and thesis submission—has identified a number of inefficiencies and pain points. These issues limit service quality, user experience, and reporting capability. To support planned growth and enhance operational effectiveness, the University requires a robust, integrated solution that streamlines processes and improves data visibility. The University is therefore seeking a specialist, off-the-shelf system focused on the PGR lifecycle, requiring minimal customisation to ensure efficiency, maintainability, and long-term sustainability. The solution should integrate effectively with existing systems, including Tribal: SITS, and support future scalability. This procurement will be conducted under the Competitive Flexible Procedure, in accordance with applicable public sector procurement regulations. This approach enables a transparent, fair, and consistent evaluation process, while allowing the University flexibility to clarify, refine, and assess supplier solutions throughout the procurement lifecycle. Keywords: Postgraduate Research Management System