FUTURE
Creating bright futures for talented young people:
A little goes a long way
Small donations from thousands of Exeter alumni are making a world of difference, enabling talented young people to fulfil their dream of attaining a university education.
The University of Exeter offers a range of scholarships, bursaries and student hardship support programmes to assist students during their studies, and to broaden participation in the university experience wherever possible.
Many of these programmes are funded by the generous donations of Exeter alumni, a form of ‘paying it forward’ whereby people who have benefited from a degree here are passing the torch to the next generation, creating a community of giving and sharing that benefits the University, individuals and society at large.
As one of our donors recently told us: “I had such a fantastic all-round experience at Exeter that I love the opportunity to give something back.”
These donations from alumni are often small, regular gifts that collectively make an enormous difference.
It only takes 16 individuals donating £10 per month to fund a Widening Participation Scholarship for an undergraduate.
Just think what that means for that recipient – an opportunity for a fresh start, for a new sense of hope and possibility, and potentially a series of new inroads into higher education for their family and community.
Our community of supporters helps Exeter to shape a better future. We’re able to encourage new talent, support young people’s dreams and ambitions, and enable social mobility through our outreach and widening participation scholarship programmes.
Last year, thanks to the generosity of our alumni donors we were able to support 117 scholars. The stories from these students are always inspiring, and as we build into 2024, it’s exciting to see where the support from our alumni has taken them so far, and to imagine where it will take them into the future.
scholars supported last year.
We’re delighted to share some of these successes with you here. These students’ stories represent the coming together of great ambition and hard work on their part with great kindness and dedication on behalf of our alumni to support their dreams and enable them to work towards a future without limits.
Supporting students to thrive
Tommy
(Modern Languages, 2026).
“This scholarship means a lot to me, and I take pride in saying that I am a student at the University of Exeter. The languages department at Exeter is first-class and was one of the main reasons that I wanted to study here.
Coming from a low-income family in a remote area of North Cornwall, where few students transition to university, my scholarship will significantly help me during my time at Exeter. I will be able to spend more time studying, and will be able to cover my day-to-day expenses.
Being selected for a scholarship has given me additional motivation and optimism for my future studies, as I have had first-hand experience that hard work and dedication is rewarded. This scholarship has been truly life changing and I am honoured to have been given the opportunity.”
Elle
(LLB Law, 2025).
“I chose to enrol at Exeter as I was enticed by the prospect of living in a ‘green city’. The course opportunities and faculty support showed me that a degree here would be enjoyable and enriching. I am studying Law, because being an advocate for someone else has always been something I have strived for in my career.
Being awarded a scholarship means that I am able to enjoy all the opportunities university has to offer without the financial worries or burdens that would have otherwise restricted my experience. It has allowed me to live a full university life completely financially independent from my family.
My family and I honestly cannot thank our alumni enough, their support has been a blessing to us and has enabled us to enjoy life in a way that was not previously possible.”
This united philanthropy relies on the impact of many, not just the power of one and we are so grateful to our regular donors.
We understand that most people cannot afford to give large gifts and we value each and every one. Collectively, they make a huge difference. If you feel inspired to join our community of regular donors, please visit:
Your Legacy, Exeter’s future
We are incredibly grateful for all the support we receive from legacy donors. Gifts in Wills have a significant and lasting impact upon Exeter’s education and research, creating improvements that will benefit people long into the future.
Many of our legacy donors choose to leave a gift to support the general purposes of the University, which goes towards the priorities that are most pressing when the gift is eventually received. If donors choose to support our Exeter Forever Endowment Fund, gifts received are invested and only the gains and interest of this endowment will ever be spent. Permanently endowed gifts have the power to keep on giving to Exeter, forever.
Others choose for their legacy gift to support a particular department or area of research. From supporting groundbreaking medical research, to improving disabled access facilities on our campuses, every gift in a Will makes a difference.
We are incredibly grateful for all the support we receive from legacy donors. Gifts in Wills have a significant and lasting impact upon Exeter’s education and research, creating improvements that will benefit people long into the future.
Many of our legacy donors choose to leave a gift to support the general purposes of the University, which goes towards the priorities that are most pressing when the gift is eventually received. If donors choose to support our Exeter Forever Endowment Fund, gifts received are invested and only the gains and interest of this endowment will ever be spent. Permanently endowed gifts have the power to keep on giving to Exeter, forever.
Others choose for their legacy gift to support a particular department or area of research. From supporting groundbreaking medical research, to improving disabled access facilities on our campuses, every gift in a Will makes a difference.
Your Legacy, Exeter’s future
We are incredibly grateful for all the support we receive from legacy donors. Gifts in Wills have a significant and lasting impact upon Exeter’s education and research, creating improvements that will benefit people long into the future.
Many of our legacy donors choose to leave a gift to support the general purposes of the University, which goes towards the priorities that are most pressing when the gift is eventually received. If donors choose to support our Exeter Forever Endowment Fund, gifts received are invested and only the gains and interest of this endowment will ever be spent. Permanently endowed gifts have the power to keep on giving to Exeter, forever.
Others choose for their legacy gift to support a particular department or area of research. From supporting groundbreaking medical research, to improving disabled access facilities on our campuses, every gift in a Will makes a difference.
The majority of legacies have been left to support students, scholarships and research.
£6 million received via legacy donations in the last 10 years.
Legacy gifts have ranged in size from £500 to £3 million.
57% of those who enquire about making a gift in their Will are under the age of 50.
Behind every legacy is a person with a story...
Hear what inspired some of our alumni community to pledge a gift in their Wills.
Sandra Lauder
(Modern Languages, 1961).
Sandra’s gift to the Exeter Forever Fund will support vital research into dementia, diabetes and marine plastics, as well as helping students across the University.
“To repay my debt to the University would be impossible, but by making my annual donation and the provision of a legacy in my Will, I hope to ensure that future generations can benefit as I have done.”
Rene Wyndham
(MA M Litt, 1977).
As a regular donor and legacy pledger, Rene’s support has a lasting impact on Exeter’s education.
“May each student who is lucky enough to gain a place at Exeter thrive and appreciate the teaching, surroundings, and care which are offered by this fine university.”
Chris Duffy
(Physics, 1985).
Thanks to a gift in Chris’ Will, disabled students will be able to access a support fund, helping them with facilities and access across our campuses.
“My desire to donate to disabled-related projects through legacy giving was shaped through gratitude to Exeter for my opportunities.”
John Crayston
(Physics, 1966).
Gifts in Wills such as John’s have a significant impact on future generations of students.
“The principal reason for including a gift in my Will is in recognition of the good friends that I made at Exeter.”
David Bays
(Economic History, 1964).
David’s gift to the Exeter Forever Endowment Fund will continue to make an impact indefinitely.
“Looking back, Exeter opened a new world and leaving a legacy is a great way of giving something back so that new generations can be similarly inspired as I was.”
Sandra Lauder
(Modern Languages, 1961).
Sandra’s gift to the Exeter Forever Fund will support vital research into dementia, diabetes and marine plastics, as well as helping students across the University.
“To repay my debt to the University would be impossible, but by making my annual donation and the provision of a legacy in my Will, I hope to ensure that future generations can benefit as I have done.”
Rene Wyndham
(MA M Litt, 1977).
As a regular donor and legacy pledger, Rene’s support has a lasting impact on Exeter’s education.
“May each student who is lucky enough to gain a place at Exeter thrive and appreciate the teaching, surroundings, and care which are offered by this fine university.”
Chris Duffy
(Physics, 1985).
Thanks to a gift in Chris’ Will, disabled students will be able to access a support fund, helping them with facilities and access across our campuses.
“My desire to donate to disabled-related projects through legacy giving was shaped through gratitude to Exeter for my opportunities.”
David Bays
(Economic History, 1964).
David’s gift to the Exeter Forever Endowment Fund will continue to make an impact indefinitely.
“Looking back, Exeter opened a new world and leaving a legacy is a great way of giving something back so that new generations can be similarly inspired as I was.”
John Crayston
(Physics, 1966).
Gifts in Wills such as John’s have a significant impact on future generations of students.
“The principal reason for including a gift in my Will is in recognition of the good friends that I made at Exeter.”
