Creating Opportunities Through Education, Employability and Enterprise
Since 2012, Santander Universities has been a key partner to NTU, providing over £1 million in funding to support student development. Built on the pillars of education, employability and entrepreneurship, the partnership delivers opportunities to students from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds. Through this collaboration, Santander Universities has enabled a wide range of initiatives, including:
- Professional Insight Placements – helping graduates transition into the workplace.
- Support for NTU Start-Ups – providing funding and guidance for student entrepreneurs.
- Brighter Futures Grants – offering financial assistance to students in need.
- Overseas Volunteering – supporting international community projects.
- Research Funding – backing research-led initiatives.
- Internships – connecting students with real-world work experience.
- Supporting students with the cost living - every year Santander Universities run a number of prize draws with the opportunity to win resources like tech as well as funding to support students. These competitions are run through Santander’s free online learning platform, Santander Open Academy, which offers on-demand learning content and training.
Read on to hear from some of those who have benefited:
Developing the next generation of industry professionals
Santander provides annual bursaries and personal development funding for NTU students, supporting activities like paid work experience and personal skill-building projects.
Student Insight: Samuel Longe, BA (Hons) International Business
In March 2023, Samuel took part in his first professional insight experience with HMRC as part of the Santander award scheme .
During the experience, he met young professionals who had joined HMRC after graduating from NTU. This sparked the realisation that he would soon be entering the world of work, which in turn led him to take a more calculated approach to his professional development by sharpening competencies according to personal goals.
He reflects:
“The Santander scheme has given me the confidence to take advantage of opportunities provided to me and forge my personal brand. So far, I have taken part in several professional insight events and am now Secretary to the 93% Club Nottingham and Lead Student Mentor in International Business.”
Supporting entrepreneurship
Santander helps NTU students launch and scale their ventures through funding, networks, and practical guidance.
Highlights include:
- Santander Start-Up Grants of up to £5,000
- Award-winning support for ventures like Sensei, a student-led platform supporting neurodivergent learners
- Recognition of NTU entrepreneurs in national innovation competitions
Student Insight: Kavya Jain, Founder of Sensei
Sensei is a start up company that helps to make schools accessible for visually impaired students using durable, low-cost patterned surfaces to help guide students through touch. Founded by NTU student Kavya Jain, Sensei has developed a tactile wayfinding solution, co-designed with visually impaired people and built upon existing research.
The innovation addresses a significant global challenge:
- 36 million people are blind
- 217 million people are moderately to severely visually impaired
- 253 million people are visually impaired overall
With support from Santander Universities, Sensei conducted its first on-site pilot trial at InFocus College, Exeter, a college where 70% of students are visually impaired. The trial provided live feedback from students and staff, marking a pivotal step in the product’s development.
Kavya has recently been awarded an Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award which champions high-potential women business leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Learn more about the project: www.senseiforall.com
Supporting our students
From Brighter Futures Grants to international volunteering opportunities, Santander’s support makes a tangible difference to students' lives.
Student Insight: Uchechukwu Ibeh, LLB Law with Business
Uchechukwu completed a two-week internship at NLS Legal through the Santander award scheme. She described the experience as “challenging but rewarding” and highlighted how valuable it was to gain real-life legal experience, particularly after COVID-19.
The experience had a positive impact on Uche’s academic studies, including her ability to “read between the lines” and a more serious approach to case analysis. She identified improvements in her legal knowledge, organisation, and problem-solving skills, all supporting her ongoing career development.
She said:
“This experience was nothing short of transformative, giving me a glimpse into the world of a solicitor and the invaluable role they play in providing much needed advice to those seeking it. From mastering the intricacies of Clio, a law-based data program, to understanding the real-world challenges faced by legal professionals, every moment was enriching. Volunteering at NLS Legal gave me a chance to help individuals and communities in need of justice. As I look ahead, I am excited and inspired to continue my journey, fueled by the knowledge and skills gained during these two remarkable weeks. Here’s to growth, learning, and pursuing meaningful opportunities!”
Supporting NTU Global Summer Placements in CETYS University, Mexico
These four-week placements have enabled students to get involved in a bespoke community engagement programme working on community projects for indigenous people, as well as joining CETYS University’s International Summer Programme, choosing from one of 11 courses, and enjoying the ISP’s social and cultural programme.
Kria Vaghii took part in the programme. These are the highlights of her placement:
- I had the privilege of contributing to various community projects including feeding the homeless, painting murals and supporting underprivileged children. Witnessing this first hand allowed me to appreciate the transformative power of community work. I connected with the local community and contributed to an environment that fosters art, unity, and social support for vulnerable populations facing challenges.
- beyond volunteer work, I had the chance to immerse myself in the Mexican culture. This involved cheese tours, salsa-making workshops, and wine tours. These experiences, along with the friendships I formed in Ensenada, made my stay both educational and enriching.
- at CETYS I was academically challenged when designing my low energy housing project that used renewable energy resources. The University’s welcoming environment and the chance to exchange ideas with students and staff from diverse backgrounds greatly enhanced my academic perspective, particularly in the field of renewable energy. The Sustainability in Practice module was an integral part of my academic journey in Ensenada, it provided an insight into sustainable practices, deepening my understanding of sustainability and reinforced my commitment to advocating responsible environmental practices.
Expanding Access to Education in Prisons
With support from Santander Universities, Dr Anne O’Grady led a pioneering project to develop accredited, digital higher education distance learning for people in prison.
The project explored how digital technologies could be safely and effectively embedded in prison education systems, enabling learners to engage with university-level study despite significant barriers.
A Santander-funded celebration event brought together key stakeholders to share outcomes and build momentum for wider adoption. Attendees included representatives from prison education, digital innovation, and higher education policy.
This project showcases how strategic funding can drive inclusive education and open pathways for some of society’s most marginalised learners.
Next steps include:
- Continued advocacy for digital higher education in prisons
- Building partnerships to embed technology in secure learning environments
Want to learn more about our partnership with Santander?
Contact the Strategic Partnerships Team: