Santander Universities: Rewards Case Study

Santander Universities Global Division was born in 1997 with the aim to support higher education as a means to contribute to the development and prosperity of society. Today, over 1,020 universities in 17 countries are members of the Santander Universities network.

Santander Universities have provided a range of sponsorship to the EP Scheme since 2013, which includes the delivery of mock assessment centres, skills workshops, work shadowing placements and sponsorship of the annual EP Rewards Evening.

Since 2013, Santander Universities have offered 44 work shadowing placements, which allow students to gain an insight into retail banking. These reward winners have been able to gain an appreciation of what it is like working in a retail banking environment, whereas many have also gained valuable commercial experience.

“As I am graduating next month, it is essential to get a taste for the reality of banking. It gives a different perspective of how things are actually done within the sector.”

Virgine Lagaillarde 

Following their work shadowing placements, a number of the participants gained the chance to volunteer during the University of Kent’s Welcome Week, where they could speak to new students regarding banking options with Santander.

In addition to work placements, Santander Universities have given EP students an insight into their graduate recruitment process through delivering mock assessment centres. Here, students were tasked to deliver presentations, undertake the ‘Zin Obelisk’ group challenge and complete 1-1 interviews.

Personal Banker, Thomas Smith, commented: It is great to meet such engaged students and to help them enhance their employability prospects! Santander Universities is proud to deliver this Mock Assessment Centre and to support students through the University of Kent’s Employability Points Scheme.”

A number of students have also feedback on the benefit of this reward:

“The whole day was well organised and the team of Santander’s was really helpful. All of them were positive and supportive and during the presentations and the panel interviews encouraged and guided us with their questions…The activities assessed especially the presentations and panel interviews were good choices as it is difficult to us to practice alone and have a feedback before an assessment centre day.”

Maria Symeonidou