About
Applications are closed but will reopen in 2026.
The Mel Beaman Student Programme offers:
- a year of mentoring
- four days of hybrid work experience
- an opportunity for one student from the cohort to receive a bursary of up to £10,000
It is aimed at young people who live in areas of lower social mobility. In 2025, we focused on students in the Leeds area who have recently taken their GCSEs and are coming to the end of their full-time education (ie in Year 12 and between 16 and 17 years old).
Further details are set out below.
Mentoring
- online monthly mentoring and coaching over a 12-month period
- one-to-one contact with a Bank employee who can acts as role model/mentor
- mentor will guide students through key milestone events such as CV preparation and further education application processes
- mentoring sessions will include master classes and career stories from senior members of the Bank
Work experience
- two days in the Leeds office offering opportunities for face-to-face networking, as well as two days virtual work experience, intended to replicate hybrid working
-
a blended provision of online presentations and group exercises
Bursary
- the selected student could receive up to £10,000
- they can use it to help with costs for higher education or relocation for an apprenticeship
- there is a minimum educational requirement of three Cs at A level
- students must have a household income of £30,000 or less
Background
The Bank has set up this programme in memory of Mel Beaman, who passed away suddenly in 2023. She made significant contributions to the Bank throughout her career and to our social mobility agenda. Mel mentored colleagues as she developed her career and spoke openly about her background to encourage others’ ambitions.