Tender: Accredited Postgraduate Programmes for UK Civil Service Policy Profession – 180‑credit Master’s and Postgraduate Award/Certificate/Diploma (from Sept 2027)

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The Department for Education, on behalf of the Policy Profession Unit, is seeking a higher education partner to develop and deliver accredited postgraduate programmes for the UK Civil Service Policy Profession from September 2027. The procurement has two lots: Lot 1 is for a 180‑credit Master’s for experienced policy leaders, delivered as five cohorts with one cohort per academic year from AY 2027/28 so participants can continue in post; Lot 2 is for a modular postgraduate offer including standalone modules, a Postgraduate Award, Certificate and Diploma for experienced practitioners and a separate 30‑credit Postgraduate Award for Government Policy Fast Streamers delivered to an annual cohort on a structured three‑year timetable. The Department for Education will hold the contracts and the programmes must be accessible to all civil service departments. Funding estimates are based on historic student volumes and actual contract value will depend on student volumes funded by individual departments; the Department makes no commitment to a final funding envelope. Suppliers may bid for one or both lots and bids covering both lots should include a proposed discount structure. The closing date is 13 July 2026 at 12:00 and the clarification window is open until 30 June 2026 at 15:00; clarification questions and bids should be submitted through the Jaggaer system under project_10154. A recording of the early market engagement event is available at https://youtu.be/Buv5dtEd2_4.