Santander UK launches £1 Million scholarship scheme
Santander UK has launched a new £1 million university scholarship programme that will help 100 students from under-represented groups with annual grants of £10,000 over three years.
The programme is open to students at Santander’s 75 university partners and combines financial assistance to cover the cost of studying as well as access to networks, internships, and dedicated mentors to help build essential work-ready skills and confidence.
The scheme is part of Santander’s ambitious education and skills programme which aims to help people access the educational opportunities and skills they need to fulfil their true potential. This could be through university, internships, learning new skills or by starting a business.
In addition to the new scholarship scheme, Santander’s programme of action will include:
1,000 students a year supported through paid internships with small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to gain crucial work experience and helping fuel the growth of local businesses that are the backbone of our economy;
A new online Learning Room6 to help people who are already in the workplace to access the information and materials they need to learn new skills and retrain. Over the next few years, we hope this will support one million people to gain the skills which will be essential in a world where the pace of digital change is rapid;
In a pioneering move, MK:U - Britain’s new model, digital and technical university – will work with us in the heart of our new headquarters in Milton Keynes, a partnership which will help us to develop the skills of the future for our staff and the local community. We will also be investing over £1m in working with local businesses to help them reskill and upskill workers; and
Finally, we will continue to offer equity-free seed funding to 500 student start-up businesses a year to support the new spirit of entrepreneurship we see among so many young people. Student start-ups will also now be able to access expert mentors, support and training. This builds on our existing Santander X global entrepreneurship programme which helps businesses access clients, talent and finance. Since 2007, Santander UK has provided over £18m to support university entrepreneurship, helping over 40,000 students develop, launch and accelerate businesses.
William Vereker, Santander UK Chairman, said: “Santander has a long heritage and involvement in education and skills, and we recognise that the challenges our country is facing requires a new approach if we are to develop the skills tomorrow’s workforce will need.
“We all have different backgrounds, different skills, different aspirations. Our new programme is designed to help thousands of people to fulfil their potential - whether they’re a budding entrepreneur with a great business idea, someone in mid-career who is looking to reskill or a young person from an under-represented community who dreams of going to university.
“We are committed to creating real opportunities, transforming lives and helping to drive economic prosperity across the UK.”
