RFP for Case Studies on Quality Assurance and Student Outcomes in UK Transnational Education (TNE) Partnerships in Nepal

Case Studies on Quality Assurance and Student Outcomes in UK Transnational Education (TNE) Partnerships in Nepal

The purpose of this assignment is to study and document quality assurance (QA) practices and graduate outcomes within UK Transnational Education (TNE) partnerships in Nepal, including consideration of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion within quality assurance processes and student outcomes. Through a series of evidence-based case studies, the study will highlight practical examples of quality assurance implementation, demonstrate good practice within franchise delivery models, areas for improvements, and provide a holistic understanding of how UK TNE partnerships maintain academic standards and enhance student outcomes. The case studies will contribute to sector learning, policy dialogue, and the promotion of high-quality UK TNE provision in Nepal, in line with the British Council's TNE strategy.

Details

Scope of work

The selected service provider will develop 3 to 4 case studies – at least two covering QA, and at least one covering graduate outcomes. In particular, the service provider will undertake the following activities:

• Conduct a review of relevant documents, policies, and literature related to UK-delivered Transnational Education (TNE) in Nepal. 
• Engage key stakeholders, including UK and Nepal partner institutions, academic staff, students, alumni, employers and quality assurance representatives, to gather insights and experiences. 
• Identify and document practical examples of quality assurance and quality enhancement approaches used within UK–Nepal TNE partnerships, particularly under the Franchise model. 
• Study and document TNE graduate outcome, including academic pathways of the graduates, transition to employment, skills relevancy, global and local mobility, and employer perceptions, also considering differences in outcomes across gender. 
• Analyse institutional practices and stakeholder perspectives to identify good practices and lessons learned under franchise-based TNE models. 
• Develop 3–4 in-depth case studies  demonstrating quality enhancement, institutional impact, student outcomes, and effective partnership practices, aligned with the British Council’s TNE strategy and quality enhancement objectives.

Eligibility and Requirements

The assignment may be undertaken by research organisation, quality assurance agency, higher education think tank organization, or consortium with relevant expertise in HE.  

Essential qualifications include:

• Expertise in higher education quality assurance and quality enhancement.
• Experience in conducting student tracer studies or similar studies. 
• Experience in conducting institutional reviews, case studies, educational research, or sector analysis.
• Familiarity with transnational education and international higher education partnerships. 
• Strong analytical and report-writing capabilities. 
• Experience working with higher education institutions and policymakers.

Desirable qualifications include:

• Experience with UK higher education quality assurance systems and frameworks. 
• Experience of TNE quality assurance reviews or evaluations. 
• Knowledge of South Asian higher education systems and the Nepal context.
• Knowledge and experience of gender equality, diversity and inclusion (GEDI) considerations in higher education policy, quality assurance, student outcomes, or educational research.

Duration of Assignment

• The assignment is expected to be completed within 12 weeks (15 November 2026 to 15 February 2027) from the date of contract commencement.

How to apply

Interested agency/organisation should submit the RFP, including an up-to-date CV with financial proposal to complete the assignment, to the British Council’s e-Tendering portal hosted at https://tap.tcsapps.com/tap2/#/bc-supplier-registration (first time log in) or https://tap.tcsapps.com/tap2/#/login-supplier?tenant=BritishCouncil/ by the Response Deadline, as set out in the Timescales section of this RFP. The complete RFP package is available for download from the British Council website Case Studies on Quality Assurance and Student Outcomes in UK Transnational Education (TNE) Partnerships in Nepal | British Council. 

Should you encounter any difficulties with registration, please do not hesitate to contact us at consultant@britishcouncil.org.np. Please note that this email address is strictly for registration-related queries and assistance. All proposals must be submitted through the e-Tendering Portal; proposals sent by email will not be accepted.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to respond to every application and will only contact those who meet the required standards. 

LINKS:

1. TNE Case Study Request for Proposal (RFP) 
2. TNE Case Study TOR 
3. Annex 2 - Supplier Response 
4. Annex 3 - Pricing Approach