Leave a legacy

Leaving a gift in your Will is a meaningful way to leave a lasting impact on the University and our students that will benefit generations to come. Whatever the size of your gift, it plays a vital role in providing our world-class education and facilities and ensuring a University of London education is accessible to all those who wish to study, regardless of their social or financial background.

Simply letting us know that you have, or intend to, remember the University in your Will allows us to recognise and honour the tremendous impact that your gift will have in the future. Previous legacy gifts have been highlighted in The Effect of Giving, our annual report to donors and volunteers, as well as featuring in some of our fundraising materials to help inspire others to give. In addition, we have been honoured to name rooms and prizes after generous donors who have supported the University with a gift in their Will.

If you are interested in supporting the University in this way, or would like to discuss how your gift will make a difference, please contact Lindsay Triggs on +44 (0)20 7863 1340 or at lindsay.triggs@london.ac.uk

You can choose to direct your support in a number of ways and we are happy to discuss with you which option is right for you.

Unrestricted gifts
Choosing to give your gift with no restrictions is especially valuable, as it allows the University to direct it to where the need is greatest at the time we receive your gift. This may be funding scholarships for students, helping to fund an innovative new research project, or ensuring our buildings and facilities can be transformed for the next generation of learners.

Priority areas
The University’s current priority areas for support include access to education, public engagement initiatives, innovative research, and world-class facilities. These reflect the strategic aims of the University and our commitment to making a transformative impact on global education and research. Please let us know if you would like to support one of these priority areas, or if you would like your gift to support a particular programme or Institute.

Endowment
Legacy gifts to the University’s endowment are an ideal way to support our future. Gifts to the endowment are permanent assets, invested wisely to grow and provide secure income in the long-term, allowing the University to plan ahead. Some of the previous gifts to our endowment provide annual income for scholarships and prizes across the University, supporting the next generation of University of London students. If you are interested in supporting the endowment, please contact us to discuss further.

Suggested wording for making a provision in your Will is provided below. This does not constitute legal or tax advice, and it is strongly recommended that you seek independent professional legal and tax advice - including to ensure that the drafting works alongside the wider provisions of your will and is suitable for the gift that you intend to make.

‘I give to the University of London, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU, an exempt charity and Statutory Corporation in England and Wales (Company No. RC000661)/ HMRC Charities Reference X422

The residue of my estate and the income of it
or {a percentage} of the residue of my estate and the income of it
or the sum of £{amount} free of tax
or {specific item} free of tax

...for its general charitable purposes, and I declare that the receipt of a proper officer of the University shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors who shall not be required to enquire as to the application of this gift. ’

Our legacy donors are valued members of our community of alumni and friends, and we are sincerely grateful for their support.

Depending on the size of your gift, there may be an opportunity to name a fund or a physical space in your honour, or in honour of a loved one or other esteemed person. Speaking with the University about your plans can ensure any wording or naming can be agreed with you in advance.

If you let us know of your intention to remember the University in your Will, we would be delighted to invite you to special events and activities at Senate House in London, and around the world, as a thank you for your generosity. If you wish, we may also be able to share the good news about your plans to remember the University in your Will in our donor report The Effect of Giving, on our website or in other publications.

While the University cannot offer estate planning advice, knowing about your plans to leave a legacy can help us ensure that your gift has the most impact and is directed to the programme or area of the University you most wish to support. Where you choose to share your plans with us, this will enable us to give you the assurance that the University is able to carry out your wishes, or to discuss alternatives with you. It also enables us to thank you for your generosity and ensure that we send you appropriate correspondence going forward.

If you have already included a legacy to the University in your Will, or are considering leaving a legacy, and are comfortable in letting us know, please contact Lindsay Triggs on +44 (0)20 7863 1340 or at lindsay.triggs@london.ac.uk