University of Sunderland Alumni Association

19/05/2026

Win an unforgettable Formula 1® Silverstone experience!

Our partner, Santander UK Universities, is offering an incredible opportunity to attend the FORMULA 1® PIRELLI BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2026 at Silverstone, one of the world’s most iconic sporting events.

Three winners (and their guests) will enjoy four days immersed in elite motorsport, witnessing world-class performance, precision, and leadership in action. Accommodation and transfers are included.

To enter, apply on Santander Open Academy by 28 May 2026 at 23:59 GMT. Entry is free and open to UK residents aged 18 and over. You do not need to be a Santander customer.

For more details, visit: https://app.santanderopenacademy.com/en/program/formula-1-r-pirelli-british-grand-prix-prize-draw-2026-leadership-in-action?utm_source=University&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=UK_2026F1_Sunderland

11/05/2026

Last chance to enter the Santander Student and Graduate £500 Prize Draw 2026!

You have the opportunity to win £500 through Santander UK Universities, with 200 awards available. This prize gives you the freedom to use the money in a way that works best for you.

Eligibility criteria:
- Open to current students
- Graduates from September 2022 onwards
- UK residents, 18+
- No Santander account needed

Make sure to apply on Santander Open Academy by 14 May 2026 at 11pm. Terms and conditions apply.

Apply here: https://app.santanderopenacademy.com/en/program/santander-student-and-graduate-gbp500-prize-draw-2026?utm_source=University&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=UK_2026Draw2_Sunderland

06/05/2026

Last chance to apply!

We’ve partnered with Santander UK Universities to offer 120 awards of £250 each to help students advance their career plans. These awards can cover costs such as interview travel, professional clothing, and placement and internship essentials, making it easier to embrace opportunities that enhance your experience, confidence, and future career.

Who can apply?
- You must be 18+ and a full or part-time student for the academic year 2025/26, including undergraduate or postgraduate students.

- Your application must be for an activity happening this year (2026) or an activity that starts before the end of the academic year, including activities starting up to 31 August 2026.

- There is no requirement to be a Santander customer.

Applications close on 7 May 2026 at 11pm. To apply, register for free on Santander Open Academy (if you haven’t already). Log in, click ‘Get Started’ and complete the short entry form.

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https://app.santanderopenacademy.com/en/program/santander-career-support-award-2025-26?utm_source=University&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=UK_2026CSA_Sunderland

01/05/2026

Throwback to the roots of innovation. We've unveiled this photo from the 1985 University of Sunderland Prospectus, featuring a student at work on the Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Centre.

Were you part of our Faculty of Engineering back then? We'd love to hear your memories 👇

30/04/2026

We're incredibly proud of our four runners who completed the TCS London Marathon on Sunday, raising over £6,000 for the University of Sunderland's Futures Fund. This flagship scholarship programme supports students in developing their careers and achieving their ambitions.

Alumni Andrew Rogers and Anthony Corbett, former colleague Laura Kerry, and current University of Sunderland in London student Maria Budakova successfully completed the 26.2-mile course alongside a record-breaking field of 59,000 runners.

Learn more about their achievements and the impact of the Futures Fund.

https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/news/2026/university-runners-raise-over-6000-for-futures-fund-at-london-marathon

27/04/2026

Students and graduates – here’s an opportunity to enhance your budget.

The Santander Student and Graduate Prize Draw is open, offering 200 prizes of £500 each to support your studies, career aspirations, or everyday expenses.

- Open to students, degree apprentices, and recent graduates
- UK residents aged 18 and over
- Quick and easy application process
- No requirement to bank with Santander

Deadline for entries is 14 May 2026 at 11pm.

Apply at: https://app.santanderopenacademy.com/en/program/santander-student-and-graduate-gbp500-prize-draw-2026?utm_source=University&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=UK_2026Draw2_Sunderland

14/04/2026

£500 up for grabs with Santander UK Universities.

If you're a student or recent graduate, this is a simple opportunity worth a few minutes of your time.

Santander Universities UK is giving away 200 x £500 awards to support your next step. Open to current students, degree apprentices and recent graduates across the UK.

Life doesn't pause while you're studying - or when you’ve just graduated. This money could help with everyday costs, studies or your next move.

Apply on Santander Open Academy by 14 May 2026 11pm. T&Cs apply.

https://app.santanderopenacademy.com/en/program/santander-student-and-graduate-gbp500-prize-draw-2026?utm_source=University&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=UK_2026Draw2_Sunderland

13/04/2026

Looking for a bit of extra support as you take the next step in your career journey? Through our partnership with Santander UK Universities, we’re offering 120 awards of £250 to help you progress with your plans.

The funding is designed to ease some of the practical costs that can come with new opportunities—whether that’s travelling to interviews, investing in professional attire, or covering essentials for placements and internships. It’s all about helping you feel prepared, confident, and ready to make the most of what’s ahead.

Who’s eligible?
• Applicants must be aged 18 or over and enrolled as a full-time or part-time student during the 2025/26 academic year (undergraduate or postgraduate).
• The activity you’re applying for must take place in 2026, or begin before the end of the academic year (by 31 August 2026).
• You don’t need to be a Santander customer to apply.

How to apply

Simply sign up (for free) to Santander Open Academy, log in, select ‘Get Started’ and complete the short application form.

https://app.santanderopenacademy.com/en/program/santander-career-support-award-2025-26?utm_source=University&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=UK_2026CSA_Sunderland

Studying at a participating UK university? Apply for your chance to access employability support worth £250  Whether you need help with interview travel, equipment, clothing, skills development, placement or internship costs to name a few - this support can make a real difference.  Check the part...

26/03/2026

Today’s throwback takes us to the BTEC HND in Visual Information Design — a truly interdisciplinary course that blended creativity with technical skill.

From the University of Sunderland 1985 Prospectus:

“The course aims to train and develop creative and technically proficient designer-craftsmen able to conceive, interpret and realise images in two and three dimensions, for the communication of information and ideas.”

Students explored a wide range of disciplines in their early work, including drawing, colour studies, graphic design, modelmaking, photography, and typographic and reprographic techniques — building a foundation that many creative careers still rely on today.

Were you part of this course, or do you recognise this classroom? We’d love to hear your memories.

23/03/2026

Need a little extra support to take your next career step? We’ve partnered with Santander to offer 120 awards of £250 each to help students move forward with their career plans.

These awards can cover costs such as interview travel, professional clothing, and placement and internship essentials - making it easier to say yes to opportunities that enhance your experience, confidence, and future career.

Who can apply?
- You must be 18+ and a full or part-time student for the academic year 2025/26, including undergraduate or postgraduate students.

- Your application must be for an activity happening this year (2026) or an activity that starts before the end of the academic year, including activities starting up to 31 August 2026.

- There is no requirement to be a Santander customer.

How to apply: Register for free on Santander Open Academy (if you haven’t already). Log in, click ‘Get Started’ and complete the short entry form.



https://app.santanderopenacademy.com/en/program/santander-career-support-award-2025-26?utm_source=University&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=UK_2026CSA_Sunderland