About the Microsoft agreement negotiations 2023/24
The sector has reached a one or three-year agreement with Microsoft which runs until the end of 2026.
A new agreement
Jisc has held an Enrolment for Education Solutions (EES) framework agreement with Microsoft since 2007 – providing institutions with access to specially negotiated discounts and terms. The EES framework agreement is open to schools, further education (FE) and higher education (HE) institutions in the UK and provides access to education platform products from Microsoft.
The new one or three-year agreement with Microsoft (three-year enrolment has an optional one-year extension available) runs until the end of 2026.
This agreement helps in widening participation and enables education to be delivered flexibly, providing the best learning for all.
Join the agreement
Simplifying licensing of the latest software and services from Microsoft with the Microsoft EES Education Qualified User Agreement.
The negotiations
In early 2023, Jisc began a process of consultation to gain a clear understanding of what the sector requires from the next agreement.
We consulted through several well-attended in-person forums, including via UCISA, academic applications forum and regional FE IT managers meetings. We listened to thoughts about the existing agreement and sought to identify opportunities and requirements for an improved deal.
Accepting the proposal
The first negotiation meeting took place on 3 July 2023, where the sector’s requirements were presented and discussed with Microsoft.
Negotiation meetings took place regularly over six months. A proposal was circulated to Jisc and UCISA members in January 2024, with the majority of respondents accepting the proposal.
Timetable for negotiation meetings
- Negotiations: June 2023-January 2024
- Proposal considered by UK institutions: January 2024
- Agreement released: February 2024
How the negotiations were governed
Negotiations were owned and led by the sector via the UUK/Jisc software negotiation strategy group, which drives the overarching strategy. The new framework is open to higher and further education organisations, schools and multiple academy trusts (MATs) with more than 100 EQU.
Negotiation team members
The negotiation team are:
- Liam Earney – managing director of higher education, Jisc
- Nick Gilbert – chief information and digital officer, University of Surrey (representing UCISA)
- John Latham – vice chancellor, Coventry University, chair of the software negotiation strategy group
- Gavin McLachlan – vice principal, chief information officer and librarian to the university, University of Edinburgh, member of the software negotiation strategy group
- Caren Milloy – director of Jisc licensing, Jisc
- Howard Moody – software licensing consultant, Jisc
- Ben Offiler – licensing portfolio specialist – software, Jisc