Oxford University ends partnership with TCS citing ‘technical problems’ in online admission tests

TCS was responsible for running the online tests for the university at its affiliated test centres (Representative image)

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University of Oxford announced that it has ended its partnership with IT services major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), following a detailed review of technical glitches experienced by students undertaking online admission tests in 2023.

TCS was responsible for running the online tests for the university at its affiliated test centres, and had entered into this partnership last year. This comes at a time when IT companies are already reeling under the impact of macroeconomic uncertainties and slower demand cycles.

In a letter addressed to the teachers and exam officers, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at the university, Professor Martin Williams said, “I wrote to you last year following the technical problems experienced by some schools and colleges, test centres and candidates undertaking Oxford’s online admissions tests, which were delivered by a new provider, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

Since then, we have undertaken a detailed review of the issues to better understand how and why these occurred and taken on board the expert and valuable feedback many of you shared. The decision has subsequently been taken to end our relationship with TCS.”

Williams mentioned on the university website, that following the review, the university’s team was able to understand better “how and why these (issues) occurred.”

The university is now working on finding alternative options for 2024 and beyond. The details of the arrangements will be communicated soon with the aim of starting new admission cycle in early Spring.

TCS had announced the partnership with the university in April 2023. TCS iON was deployed to design the admission tests for Oxford University which includes CAT, HAT, ELAT, MAT, MLAT, PAT, AMELAT, and the Philosophy test.