University of Buckingham celebrates renewal of Partnership with Santander Universities

Santander Universities has renewed its partnership with The University of Buckingham to provide further research scholarship programmes, mobility awards, internships and work placements for 2016-2019.

The original partnership was forged with Santander in 2013 and has provided invaluable support for Humanities staff and students during the last three years.

Scholarships and mobility awards stemming from the 2013 deal have totalled £75,000 in three years. Santander has also granted around £30,000 to pay for our students’ internships and work placements in SMEs. In 2015, Santander devoted an extra £5,000 funding in mobility awards and £5,000 to develop a project on new digital technology. In total the 2013-16 agreement has resulted in £115,000 funding and 56 scholarships and mobility awards allocated and the funding of research stays of staff in the UK and abroad.

The deal has led to Santander deepening their collaboration with Buckingham including the opening of a new branch on campus which provides additional services to students, such as a programme enabling students to spend some time collaborating with the staff at the branch.

Dr Juan Castaneda, University of Buckingham Coordinator of the partnership, said: “I believe the development of this partnership will have a significant impact on our University. This is not just because of the new funding provided by the partnership, but because of the benefits in branding and reputation that may result from being part of a network of very prestigious universities in the UK and in many other countries in Europe, Asia and America.”

Matt Hutnell, Director Santander Universities, said: “I am delighted to be renewing our partnership agreement with The University of Buckingham and extending our support towards student mobility, research, entrepreneurship and employability. Our initiatives are aimed at giving unique opportunities and experiences to those who strive for more out of their education. Having the privilege to work with The University of Buckingham for a further three years will allow many more people to benefit from Santander’s support.”

The new scholarships and awards for a period of three years are to support both undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff to study or research both within the UK and overseas, Mobility awards for students of the University and/or staff to study or research in the UK and overseas.

The University has also been awarded funding to support Entrepreneurship and Enterprise students’ projects as well as another donation to further its existing widening participation strategy. This funding is to support students ideally from disadvantaged backgrounds with an international experience either to study, research or work in a foreign country.