Current BSU students can apply for funding to support many aspects of their studies, including accommodation, bills and resources, such as laptops and books.

The Brighter Futures Grants are a new initiative, developed in partnership with Santander Universities, providing students with funding to support their studies.

In 2025/26, BSU is participating in the Winter Call of the Brighter Futures Grant. There are 10 lots of £1,000 to be won!

The grants can be used for a variety of purposes including living expenses such as accommodation and bills, or on study resources such as laptops, textbooks and stationery to aid your learning.

Eligibility 

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be a current, enrolled, Bath Spa University student studying at either Newton Park, Sion Hill, Locksbrook, Corsham Court or BSU London (Hackney). Students studying at our Educational Partner institutes or other providers and students on exchange programmes, distance learning or other modes of study are not eligible. Applicants can be on any undergraduate or postgraduate course, full time or part time
  • Know your Bath Spa University student ID number – you’ll need to add it when you apply
  • Create an account on the Santander Scholarship Platform (if you’re not registered already).

You don't need to be a Santander customer to apply.

Application deadline

Applications open on Monday 6 October 2025 and close at 23:59 (GMT+01:00) on Thursday 27 November 2025.

BSU cannot extend or change the application timescales as these are set by Santander. The application form will close promptly with no late submissions accepted.

How to apply

To apply, you will need to:

1. Register on the Santander Open Academy Platform – select ‘Access’ in the top right and follow the link to register.

2. Verify your email – check your inbox (including spam/junk folders) for the verification link.

3. Apply for the Brighter Futures Grants (Autumn 2025) initiative when it opens.

4. Complete the application form, choosing 'Bath Spa University' and entering your student ID number.

How applications are judged

An application evaluation period will follow the deadline, with each university selecting 10 applicants from their university at random (using an online random-selection platform) on the basis that they've met all the eligibility criteria, as stated in the Terms and Conditions.

Successful BSU applicants will be notified by BSU (via their BSU email address), usually within 6-8 weeks after the application deadline. Payment to successful applicants will be arranged by BSU.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about this award, please login to MyCareer and submit a question. Please select the 'scholarships and bursaries' option from the question type list.