Proposed Milton Keynes university secures £30m boost

A new university earmarked for Milton Keynes – which will have a focus on digital technologies and provide a new cultural and civic heart for the town – has been backed by a £30m boost from Santander.MK:U is being developed by Cranfield University. It will offer two-year degrees, higher apprenticeship-level qualifications and work placements designed alongside employers.The curriculum will include content designed and delivered by industry partners in fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics.Santander’s contribution is one of the largest corporate donations to British higher education in recent years. Alongside £10m in capital financing, it will provide £20m in running costs for the first three years of MK:U’s lifespan.Santander joins a long list of other major employers who believe that Milton Keynes needs and deserves a university like MK:U, including Microsoft, Grant Thornton and Tech Mahindra.It is expected to serve at least 5,000 students and be open by 2023.