The verdict in three sentences
A custom SIS (Student Information System) for a private London college is budgeted between GBP 45,000 and GBP 95,000 depending on modules (admissions, grades, billing, portal). Expect 6 to 10 months of build and maintenance around GBP 550/month. Against market SIS priced per student, the break-even usually sits beyond 800 to 1,000 students.
What the software covers and its price
A higher-education college has specific needs: programme structures, credits, instalment fee payment, placement agreements. Here is a 2026 order of magnitude.
| Module | Scope | Indicative price (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions & enrolment | Online applications | 8,000 - 16,000 |
| Records & programmes | Credits, timetables | 12,000 - 24,000 |
| Grades & transcripts | Tutor entry, boards | 8,000 - 16,000 |
| Instalment billing | Direct debit, reminders | 8,000 - 18,000 |
| Parent/student portal | Personal area | 7,000 - 16,000 |
| Tutor portal | Entry, attendance | 5,000 - 12,000 |
A realistic total sits between GBP 45,000 and 95,000, plus hosting (GBP 200-400/month) and GBP 550/month maintenance.
Custom vs market SIS: the per-student cost
Commercial SIS often charge per student per year. Let us compare on a college of 1,200 students.
| Solution | Annual cost | 5-year cost | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market SIS (~GBP 42/student/yr) | 50,400 | 252,000 | Standard |
| Premium SIS (~GBP 65/student) | 78,000 | 390,000 | Medium |
| Custom software | ~6,600 maint. | 85,000 + 33,000 = 118,000 | Full |
Beyond 1,000 students, custom amortized over 5 years becomes cheaper and matches your exact academic rules and payment schedules.
Mini case study
Helen, director of a private business school in London (1,100 students), pays GBP 62,000/year for a SaaS SIS, i.e. GBP 310,000 over 5 years. Custom software at GBP 85,000 plus GBP 6,600/year maintenance totals GBP 118,000 over 5 years. Saving: about GBP 192,000 over 5 years, plus native instalment billing that cuts arrears by roughly 15%.
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FAQ
Can we handle instalment fee payment?
Yes. The billing module manages schedules, direct debits and reminders, typically cutting arrears by 10 to 20%.
Does it handle credits and programme structures?
Yes, records include credits, timetables and board minutes aligned with your academic framework.
How long to deploy?
Between 6 and 10 months. We often start with admissions before an intake, then add grades and billing.
Do parents and students get their own access?
Yes, a portal shows grades, invoices, attendance and documents. The module costs GBP 7,000 to 16,000.
What does the GBP 550/month maintenance include?
Support, fixes, regulatory updates and small enhancements. Major new modules are quoted separately.
Let's scope your project. Share your student count and priority modules (admissions, records, instalment billing) and we will frame a budget between GBP 45,000 and 95,000. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
