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Supporting your progress and success: explore opportunities with our partner Santander Universities

Posted on behalf of: Student Communications

Last updated: Wednesday, 19 July 2023

Computer Science student Ben outside Wembley Stadium

Group of Santander Scholars sitting together

The University of Sussex and Santander Universities have been partners for over a decade. During the past year, Sussex students have benefited from a range of Santander initiatives, including:

£10,000 giveaway – 10 current Sussex students won £1,000 each to spend on the latest tech, e-books, fitness goodies and more. This is an annual initiative, so keep an eye out for the next announcement this autumn!
Union Black course – an online training course to increase understanding of Black British history, race and racism. You can still book your place.

A range of other resources on Santander’s online learning platform.
Several prize draws to support learning, with prizes ranging from 1,000 grants of £100 cash, to MacBooks and iPad tablets.

You can register with the Santander Scholarships platform to get access to exclusive scholarships, internships and other development opportunities, all designed to support your progress and success as a student.

Last month, Sussex student Ben Foard attended the launch of the Santander Scholars programme at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London. Having submitted a written application, Ben was awarded a Santander scholarship earlier this year. Nationally, the programme is supporting 100 current full-time undergraduate students, due to graduate in 2025, who identify as part of an underrepresented group throughout the duration of their studies. Ben is one of two scholarship winners from the University of Sussex.

The theme of the event on 27 June was personal wellbeing and performance principles, with several training sessions. A question and answer session featured former Lioness (player for England women’s national football team) Rachel Yankey, OBE, and former Tottenham Hotspur Football Club player Michael Dawson.

The scholars were also able to network with each other, current Santander UK graduates, and Santander colleagues, including UK Chairman William Vereker and Director of Santander Universities UK Matt Hutnell.

Ben, who is studying for a BSc in Computer Science, said: “My favourite part of the event was meeting all the other scholars from across the country. It was great meeting so many like-minded people who you know have not had the traditional or easy path to university either. It was also great to hear how Santander views the programme as a long-term investment in us as individuals.”

The event was the first of several training and development sessions Santander scholars will receive over the next two years in partnership with the League Managers Association, aimed at improving their skills and confidence to ensure they are fully prepared for life after university.

Matt Hutnell, Director of Santander Universities UK, said: “Education isn’t everything, but it’s almost everything. Through the Santander Universities Scholars Programme, we’re working with our partner universities to support students from underrepresented backgrounds to overcome barriers and achieve their ambitions.”