Durham University (UK) has developed a new University Strategy (2017-2027) that envisages growth in the number of students who will require College accommodation.

Overall, it is anticipated that there will be growth of approximately 6,000 students, mostly undergraduates. This number will include c. 1 700 students who are being relocated from the Queen's Campus in Stockton-on-Tees, as the University seeks to consolidate its education and research activities onto the Durham City campus.

As part of a supporting strategy of estate development, the University has identified a need for additional student residential accommodation. To deliver part of this additional need the University has acquired the Mount Oswald site with the benefit of outline planning consent for 1,000 bedspaces.

As a Collegiate University, colleges form a major part of the delivery of the Wider Student Experience, and therefore the University is looking to deliver the new accommodation at Mount Oswald through the design and construction of two new colleges, each of approximately 500 self-catered student bedrooms, plus associated college infrastructure and common space.

This procurement brings to the market the opportunity to take forward the delivery of the two new colleges and the associated accommodation on the basis of a design, build, finance and operate model.

The Mount Oswald site is well located close to other colleges, the Durham University Business School (DUBS) and the main University campus. 

An important element will be the provision of social and study space, together with college administration facilities.

The University's preference is for the delivery of both colleges as early as possible, with at least 700 bedrooms, plus all the associated social and college administration facilities being available for occupation by the commencement of the 2019/20 academic year, any balance to take the bedroom numbers up to the total of 1 000 to be available by the commencement of the 2020/21 academic year. 

The duration of the contract is to be up to a potential maximum of 50 years (from practical completion of the colleges). Ongoing operation of the colleges will include the successful bidder delivering hard FM services and some or all of the soft FM services, with the University delivering any balance. The exact allocation of soft FM Services will be determined during the dialogue phase of the procurement.

The estimated value ranges between £85 and 100 million (US$113 and 133 million)

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