The new agreement will fund initiatives including the Santander Universities Scholars Programme, the Brighter Future Grants and Giveaways and funding for enterprise, careers and employability, and global mobility projects.
Since the start of the partnership in 2017, Santander Universities UK has awarded £436,300 in funding to Sheffield Hallam and supported more than 350 students.
One of the initiatives being funded by this new agreement is the Santander Universities Scholars Programme. This includes two scholarships of £10,000 per year to Sheffield Hallam students graduating in 2025. This scholarship programme offers each successful student £10,000 per year of study.
The package includes career development opportunities and guarantees a job interview for a role at Santander at the end of the programme. Sheffield Hallam has been selected as one of only ten universities within the programme to have two scholars.
Matt Hutnell, Director of Santander Universities UK, visited Sheffield Hallam to meet with Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Chris Husbands, and sign a new three-year funding agreement to begin in the 2023/24 academic year.
Matt Hutnell said: “At Santander Universities we believe education is today’s solution to a prosperous tomorrow. We’re proud to continue our partnership with Sheffield Hallam University and provide even more opportunities for students, staff and the local community to develop skills to build a brighter future and achieve their future potential.”
Santander Universities UK has had a funding agreement with Sheffield Hallam since 2017, supporting enterprise, widening participation students and global mobility projects. Funding helps students to start or grow a business, access career development or attend overseas study trips, conferences or competitions. They also supported the University through the pandemic with additional support for students.
James Johnston, head of development and alumni relations at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “We have proudly worked with Santander Universities for over six years to provide support for hundreds of students through bursaries, scholarships and internship opportunities. We welcome the continuation of this successful partnership which builds on Santander’s global reach and local networks, providing more opportunities for our students so they can access the best opportunities to grow their real-world experience needed to succeed in their graduate careers.”
Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor said: "We are grateful for the support Santander has pledged to the University and believe it will have a significant impact on our students. This is a fantastic opportunity for the University to work with a forward-thinking organisation like Santander to promote the exchange of ideas and cultural understanding."
During his visit, Matt Hutnell also met with five current and former students who have received funding from Santander Universities UK for a range of projects.
Shannon, a child nursing student, is one of the Sheffield Hallam students who has been selected as a Santander Universities UK scholar. Benji and Joe received Santander Universities UK funding to take a trip to the European Championships in Munich, Germany last year. Ben was the 2021 winner of the Hallam Enterprise Awards for his business, Illingsworth Productions. Emma was a semi-finalist in the Santander X National Entrepreneurship Awards UK in 2021 and a runner-up of the Hallam Enterprise Awards in 2020 for her businesses, The Calming Club and Studio Self-Made.
