Leaving a gift in your will

Legacy Newsletter

Read our latest legacy newsletter

Will Writing

Write your will for free with My Intent

Contact Maresa Bailey, Legacy Manager

Email or call on +44 (0)1904 328218.

Gifts and legacies transform our university.

Gifts and legacies are funding scholarships and supporting life-changing research. With your help, we can support more talented students and world-class researchers as they reach their potential.

A legacy is the greatest donation anyone can give and a gift in your will can make a significant impact and a lasting contribution for generations.

"As one of the first undergraduates, I am greatly appreciative of the opportunities that I was afforded and concerned about the costs for present-day students. I would like to think that a modest legacy, combined with some regular giving in the meantime, might go some way to repaying the debt I feel I owe the University and help the present generation of students."

David Jennings, English and Social Science, Heslington Circle Member

Legacy Guide

David Jennings is wearing a suit and standing on the lawn next to Heslington Hall — David Jennings, English and Social Science, Heslington Circle Member

Legacy News

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?”

"As I give, I get"

"What you leave behind is woven into the lives of others"

If you'd like to read more legacy newsletters, continue the story here.

Ana Pau is at graduation holding her degree certificate on the Spring Lane bridge — Ana Paula Pérez Hernandez, Maria Bourboulis Scholarship Holder, MA in Social and Public Policy

Transforming research

Through a gift in your will you can drive research either by supporting academic researchers to make new discoveries and uncover new opportunities or creating a scholarship like Maria Bourboulis.

Having studied Social Work at York, Maria Bourboulis left a legacy gift in her will to support talented postgraduate students in the Department of Sociology or the School for Business and Society.

She felt strongly that the University gave her a great foundation for the rest of her professional life. Maria’s gift allows many more students to benefit from the opportunities that she had.

Heslington Circle

We are delighted to recognise the generosity of those who pledge their support to the University in their will, through membership of the Heslington Circle. As a member of the Circle you will be invited to an annual reception and other events and be kept informed of developments within the University.

How a gift left by lifelong learners, Val and Tessa, will open doors for future mature students

A collage of various photos throughout Val and Tessa's life. One as they are getting married, one as they are standing outside a house and middle-aged, and one where they are in old age and smiling. — Val and Tessa Frank on their wedding day, and later in life

A legacy gift left by alumni Val and Tessa Frank will help ensure that future generations of mature students have the opportunity to pursue higher education at York, just as they did.

Read their story

Areas you could support

Gifts that allow the flexibility to be used where the need is greatest are especially valuable. They allow us to support areas including:

The University of Opportunity

Empower students from less advantaged backgrounds to thrive throughout their journey to, through, and beyond university.

Mentally Fit York

Drive forward local mental health research and initiatives with the power to transform lives worldwide.

The York Sanctuary Fund

Help provide urgent scholarships and support to displaced students and academics.

GenerationResearch

Help open doors to paid research opportunities for students from all backgrounds, empowering the next generation of scientists.

Crombie Wilkinson - Local Solicitors

We have been working closely over the years with local solicitors Crombie Wilkinson in hosting events providing free information on will writing and estate planning to our alumni and members of staff, and seeking their advice on many legacy cases. If you would like advice regarding Elderly Client Services, Probate, Charity law, Power of Attorney, Trusts, an/or Wills, please contact us via the information linked below.

MyIntent - Write your will for free

The University of York has partnered with MyIntent to offer an easy-to-use service where UK-based alumni, supporters and staff can make a professionally drafted will for free in the UK. There is never any charge for a standard will. If your circumstances are more complicated and you require further legal advice, the legal firm offer a free consultation and will give you a quote to consider, with no obligation to accept. Find out more about making a will for free here.

external shot of students stood in the quiet place at the University of York

Celebrate the life of a loved one at York

An in-memory tribute is a meaningful way to celebrate the life and values of someone close to you.

We offer a number of ways for you to celebrate and remember the life of a loved one.

Find out more

Key Information

The details you need to include the University of York in your will:

Our address: University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom, YO10 5DD

Tax exemption details: The University of York is an exempt charity under Schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011.

How you can help

helping to fund scholarships to attract the best students, regardless of background
supporting our world-leading research
contributing to our growing library and archives
providing vital medical training and research.

Tax benefits

The University of York is an exempt charity under Schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011. As such, any gift within your will falls outside of inheritance tax. Giving as part of your will planning can help to reduce your estate’s inheritance tax bill. You can also cut the Inheritance Tax rate on the rest of your estate from 40% to 36%, if you leave at least 10% of your 'net estate' to a charity.

Information on leaving a bequest in the US

You can make a bequest to the University of York directly, or through the University of York in America.

Making a bequest via either of these channels may reduce your estate tax liability, if your estate will be subject to US estate tax.

For more information or a confidential discussion about leaving a legacy to York, please contact:

Maresa Bailey, Legacy Manager by email: maresa.bailey@york.ac.uk or call on +44 (0)1904 328218

Read our legacy brochure: Legacy brochure 2023 (PDF , 24,897kb).