The University of Oxford has ended its deal with Tata Consultancy Services iON citing “technical problems”, less than a year after hiring it to deliver a share of the university’s admission tests.
“Following the technical problems experienced by some candidates during the delivery of this year’s online admissions tests by a new provider, TCS will not be involved in the delivery of Oxford admissions tests going forward,” spokespersons for the university said in an emailed statement to ET.

TCS didn’t immediately respond to ET’s email seeking comment.
The university had selected TCS iON, the learning and assessments-focused unit of TCS, in April 2023 to use its platform to conduct the admission tests, replacing the Cambridge Admissions Assessment Testing, for certain streams. At the time of announcing the deal, the university had stated that it would take stakeholder’s feedback on the ease of navigating these tests throughout the development process.

“This decision has been made following careful consideration of the issues, as well as feedback from candidates, teachers and test centres. Our priority is to ensure a high-quality experience for all candidates and those involved in supporting them…,” the statement said. “Details of the new arrangements will be communicated in the Spring, at the start of the next admissions round,” it said.

Cancellation of the contract comes at a time when Indian IT majors are facing issues with deal ramp-ups and conversions. During third-quarter earnings calls, TCS management said that there was no change in the market environment and demand sentiment compared to the previous two quarters.

The UK, where the university is based, continues to be one of the top markets for India’s largest IT services company and the market reported 8.1% year-on-year growth for TCS in the past quarter. It accounts for around 16.5% of the company’s revenue.The TCS iON contract aimed to transform digital assessments of Oxford’s admissions tests across CAT, HAT, ELAT, MAT, MLAT, PAT and AMELAT, and the philosophy tests.

Stay on top of technology and startup news that matters. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest and must-read tech news, delivered straight to your inbox.

The University of Oxford has ended its deal with Tata Consultancy Services iON citing “technical problems”, less than a year after hiring it to deliver a share of the university’s admission tests.
“Following the technical problems experienced by some candidates during the delivery of this year’s online admissions tests by a new provider, TCS will not be involved in the delivery of Oxford admissions tests going forward,” spokespersons for the university said in an emailed statement to ET.

TCS didn’t immediately respond to ET’s email seeking comment.
The university had selected TCS iON, the learning and assessments-focused unit of TCS, in April 2023 to use its platform to conduct the admission tests, replacing the Cambridge Admissions Assessment Testing, for certain streams. At the time of announcing the deal, the university had stated that it would take stakeholder’s feedback on the ease of navigating these tests throughout the development process.

“This decision has been made following careful consideration of the issues, as well as feedback from candidates, teachers and test centres. Our priority is to ensure a high-quality experience for all candidates and those involved in supporting them…,” the statement said. “Details of the new arrangements will be communicated in the Spring, at the start of the next admissions round,” it said.

Cancellation of the contract comes at a time when Indian IT majors are facing issues with deal ramp-ups and conversions. During third-quarter earnings calls, TCS management said that there was no change in the market environment and demand sentiment compared to the previous two quarters.

The UK, where the university is based, continues to be one of the top markets for India’s largest IT services company and the market reported 8.1% year-on-year growth for TCS in the past quarter. It accounts for around 16.5% of the company’s revenue.The TCS iON contract aimed to transform digital assessments of Oxford’s admissions tests across CAT, HAT, ELAT, MAT, MLAT, PAT and AMELAT, and the philosophy tests.

Stay on top of technology and startup news that matters. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest and must-read tech news, delivered straight to your inbox.