Partnership to support students

Since 2007 Santander has partnered with the University of Leeds, donating more than £2 million to support students and graduates. The partnership boosts graduate employability and contributes to student success and widening participation.

Santander is one of the world’s leading corporate supporters of higher education, investing more than £2 billion through collaboration agreements with more than 1,000 universities and institutions from 13 countries in the last three decades.

Renewed for a further two years, the partnership with Leeds will provide £50,000 this academic year to support opportunities including scholarships, entrepreneurship and career support awards, alongside Brighter Futures grants.

The grant really helped me with my commute, both getting to University for my studies and travelling to my placement.

Student beneficiary Khadija Jarral

All Leeds staff, students and graduates can also access Santander Open Academy: a free global e-learning platform offering courses and expert-led content to help people acquire and update skills and competencies that are most in demand in the labour market.

Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds, met Jonathan Powell, Santander Universities UK National Partnerships Director, to discuss the impact of programme’s funding and future collaboration opportunities.

They were joined by student beneficiary Khadija Jarral, a third-year undergraduate Medicine student at the University, who is currently on a placement at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. Her course enables students to take multiple placements during their studies.

Khadija lives in Manchester and commutes to University and her placements. She is not able to take on a job to help fund her commute because of her busy study and placement schedule, so applied to the Santander Universities fund.

She said: “The grant really helped me with my commute, both getting to University for my studies and travelling to my placement. I got the news during exam season, and it was a huge relief.

“I’m hoping to apply for another scholarship this year to help with my study and travel. I’m looking at attending medical conferences this year to help open doors to more opportunities for employment and networking to make contacts for after my studies.”

Khadija also hopes to participate in research internships over the summer and has an interest in cardiology and neurology.

In addition, the support offered through Leeds University Union Commuter Society has helped build a network of peer support.

Khadija added: “The new student commuter lounge, opened in EC Stoner Building on campus, has been a huge help. It is so useful to have microwaves to heat up a meal and a space to recharge whilst on campus.”

Support for study and employability

Professor West said: “Our renewed commitment with Santander enables students to access much-needed support for their studies and future employability, for which we are very grateful.

“The opportunities provided through the programme also enrich our students’ experience by helping develop key skills through on-the-job learning at placements, starting up their own business or widening participation in higher education.”

Jonathan Powell, Santander Universities UK National Partnerships Director, added: “At Santander we believe strongly in the power of collaboration, and we’re delighted to renew our long-standing and successful partnership with the University of Leeds.

“The partnership provides more opportunities for people to prosper through our support of education, employability and entrepreneurship, alongside free accessible learning opportunities for the whole university community through our digital platform Santander Open Academy.”

Further information

For more information, please contact Rebecca Hurrey at [email protected] in the University of Leeds press office or [email protected].

Main picture (left to right): Graeme Elliott, Santander Relationship Director – NE, Scotland & NI; Ben Oldham, Head of Global Opportunities at the University of Leeds; Professor Shearer West; Jonathan Powell; Khadija Jarral; John Ramsay, Senior Relationship Director – Education at Santander; William Storey, Work Based Learning & Partnerships Manager at the University of Leeds.