The first calls of the year are now open for intensive online and on-site training programmes delivered in partnership with the British Council and the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) through the Santander Open Academy platform.
The offer is completed with six professional English courses – with direct access and online format – which have already been taken by 360,000 people.
Madrid, 2 February 2026.
Banco Santander is offering more than 30,000 places to learn English in 2026, as part of its commitment to education, employability and equal opportunities worldwide.
The initiative is delivered through two international programmes developed with leading academic institutions, complemented by an additional portfolio of online courses with open access and no selection process, available on the Santander Open Academy platform. All places are free of charge and open to both Santander customers and non-customers.
One of the flagship initiatives is the programme developed in partnership with the British Council, which has established itself as one of the largest private initiatives for learning English worldwide. First launched in 2020, the programme reaches its sixth edition in 2026, having already offered more than 96,000 places in previous editions.
The first call of the year with the British Council is currently open, offering 10,000 places. Throughout 2026, the total number of places will exceed 30,000, aimed at participants from 12 countries.
Immersive experience in the United States
Santander also promotes advanced English training programme in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania. The Santander Course – USA Summer Experience – Penn, launched in 2024, celebrates its third edition this year with a three-week immersive course in the United States. The current open call offers 90 seats for young people aged between 18 and 30 from 12 countries.
Since its launch, it has offered a total of 180 seats across its previous editions, reinforcing its commitment to high-impact international academic experiences. The experience includes travel, accommodation and meals during the three-week training period at the University of Pennsylvania campus.
In addition, Santander Open Academy offers six direct-access professional English courses, with no selection process and in online format, which have already been completed by more than 360,000 people. In the coming months, the bank plans to launch four new courses, further expanding learning opportunities in languages.
Through this offer, Banco Santander reinforces its long-standing commitment to education and lifelong learning, facilitating access to English language training as a key tool to enhance employability, international mobility and professional development in an increasingly globalised environment.
Santander and its support for education, employability and entrepreneurship
Banco Santander has been a pioneering stalwart of education, employability and entrepreneurship for almost 30 years, standing out among the world's financial institutions. Santander has deployed over EUR 2.4 billion to these areas and given scholarships and grants to more than 3.7 million people and businesses through agreements with nearly 1,100 universities (www.santander.com/universidades). It also featured in Fortune magazine’s 2025 “Change the World” list as one of the biggest contributors to making the world a better place.