Santander Career Support Award

The Santander Career Support Award 2025-26 is a new initiative to support students with £250 to help make
that next career opportunity a reality.

Taking the next step in your career often comes with unexpected costs, whether that’s travelling to an interview,
or covering the essentials for a placement or internship, and many more. These costs can create real barriers,
especially when students are balancing studies, part-time work and everyday expenses.

By working with GCU, we’re giving 60 x £250 awards to your students this academic year through
Santander Open Academy.

It’s flexible and simple to apply for – all you need to do is register on Santander Open Academy (if not already) and complete a short application form.

Applications close on 7 May 2026 at 11pm. You’ll be informed of the outcome of your application on 21 May 2026.

Find out more

To be eligible:

You must be aged 18 or older at the time of applying.
You must complete an entry form on Santander Open Academy which includes providing a valid student ID number and confirm which UK institution you attend.
Your application must be for an activity that is ongoing during the 2025/26 academic year, or an activity that has not yet taken place but will begin before the end of the academic year (including activity starting up to 31 August 2026). Funding cannot be used for activities that have already been completed.

Each university is responsible for verifying that students meet the eligibility criteria using personal data available in its databases. When assessing applications, universities will either:

identify students who will benefit the most from the award, or
randomly select recipients from all valid applications received.

You can check which selection method your university is using by reviewing the Santander Career Support Award 2025–26 page under the specific requirements dropdown and selecting your university.

Places will be assigned according to the following criteria:

meet the admission criteria (set out in the eligibility of these Terms and Conditions)
meet your university’s requirements as outlined on the Santander Career Support Award 2025/26 page under the dropdown for the named university (where applicable).
Preference will be given to applicants who are care experienced, estranged from family, or have encountered significant personal or financial hardship.

The university’s decision on the allocation of the award, in accordance with the terms and conditions, is final.

The Data Controller for this scholarship application is Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). Further information is available on the GCU website.
In order to administer your application, the University will process your information and submitting this application provides consent for GCU to do so and also share information with donors to administer your scholarship.

Apply below

Deadline for application 07th May 2026 Applications are submitted on Santander Open Academy weblink below

Apply now

Scholarship FAQ

How do I apply for a GCU scholarship?

Learn more arrow_forward

Scholarship tips

Top tips for applying to our scholarship programme.

Learn more arrow_forward