Royal Holloway and Bedford New College (University of London) is seeking a partner to finance, operate and maintain the 621-bedroom George Eliot Hall Residences under a 50-year concession.
The authority will host a non-mandatory supplier event on 27 November.
Interested parties have until 18 December to submit responses for the initial selection phase of the competitive dialogue.
The university anticipates that three shortlisted bidders will be invited to tender by the end of January 2018.
Last month, the University of Exeter tendered a contract for a partner to design, build, finance and operate a student accommodation project.