Thank you, for everything you do
Thank you for making Leeds a place for everyone
When did you first get that feeling? Sitting in your first lecture or meeting your classmates? Perhaps, you were inspired by a visit to campus or a strong connection to the work we do?
Whenever it happened, that moment when you knew Leeds was for you, I’m sure you remember how powerful that feeling of belonging can be.
You are helping to create that same sense of belonging for 188 new students as they arrive this September.
For some of our most vulnerable students, adjusting to student life can be challenging - many may be the first in their family to go to university and not know what to expect. Others may have had a difficult time before they came to Leeds, which can have a significant impact on their journey to complete their degree - not to mention the financial and emotional challenges they may face during their studies.
With your support, students like George and Morgan have flourished through vital services and initiatives, providing them with careers support, financial literacy courses and access to mental and physical wellbeing programmes to help them settle in and thrive during their time at here
I hope you feel proud of the difference your generosity is making.
Thank you for believing in our students. Thank you for helping them discover that they belong here. And thank you for being such an important part of the Leeds community. Because of you, more students will arrive at Leeds this September feeling like Leeds is for them.
Whether you support students financially or pastorally, your impact is monumental. Whilst not every student can say thank you personally, you can hear more from some of students below who would like to express their gratitude.
Once again, thank you for everything you do.
Best wishes,
Beth Whitaker
Senior Development Manager (Regular and Leadership Giving)
University of Leeds
We’d love to hear why Leeds is for you
Tell us why Leeds is special to you and your words could be included in a display on campus, celebrating the many reasons students, alumni and supporters feel Leeds is for them.
The difference you make
George (Criminal Justice and Criminology 2021)
My family were always supportive when it came to applying for university. However, my dad is a bus driver and my mum is disabled, so although they supported me emotionally, the financial burden was something I was going to have to shoulder myself.
The scholarship alumni kindly provided for me enabled me to cope financially and took away my worries. The support I received through initiatives such as the Plus Programme also really helped me to find my footing. The welcome events helped me to meet students like me and build a network of friends who made me feel more at home.
The welcome and support I received at Leeds, and the memories I made acted as the glue that has now bound me to Leeds ever since! The friends I gained, achievements I have enjoyed, and my career all remind me of Leeds. I have now been a Probation Officer for four years. I am happily married and my wife and I both work and live in Leeds. Neither of us are from here, however, Leeds has welcomed us in."
Ffion (Postgraduate Sociology Student)
“I’m the first person in my family to have A-levels, an undergraduate degree and soon, a postgraduate degree. I grew up in a working-class family in Essex and began working part-time when I was 13 or 14. I worked throughout school, A-levels and university to support myself through my studies.
At undergraduate level, I had to use a lot of my free time to work alongside my degree. So, I told myself I was going to aim for a 2:1 instead of a first, because I knew I had to prioritise my life differently from my other student friends. I made the decision to stay at Leeds because of this scholarship.
It has completely reignited my future in writing and granted me access to higher education once again. I am truly grateful for it. I felt relieved because the stress and anxiety of affording a Master’s was completely eased. I could still work alongside my studies, but my priority could be my studies and not funding my life. Now more of my dedication can be on my writing rather than working. Thank you for helping me feel Leeds is for me.”
Morgan (Postgraduate Gender Studies)
I’m the oldest of five to my disabled, single mum and I’m from a relatively disadvantaged area of Wakefield. I have been my mum’s carer since I was around 16.
It was difficult growing up and caring for mum and four younger siblings. I was very apprehensive about going to university and leaving them, but it was time to put myself first for once.
This scholarship eased the burden that comes with living alone and balancing bills, tuition, necessities and social activities. It made me feel freer financially and reduced a huge amount of stress. Without the scholarship, it would have been so much more difficult.
Coming to Leeds was the most courageous and challenging thing I did. When I moved back to start my Master’s, I wasn’t scared or overwhelmed. I was just happy to be home. Thank you for helping Leeds feel like home.
Makeen (Medicine and Surgery 2024)
"My drive to become a surgeon was inspired by my experiences of the war in Syria.
As a refugee, it’s something I may never have had the chance to achieve if it wasn’t for my scholarship to study at Leeds, thanks to donors like you. It’s made a huge difference to my life and ambitions. Academically, it meant I could afford revision resources and do extra courses, which have helped my grades and will undoubtedly benefit my CV.
I have spent an absolutely priceless seven weeks at a state-of-the-art spinal research lab in Rhode Island and one week shadowing one of the world’s most important orthopaedic surgeons in Florida. I could never have done this without your support: the backing to afford travel, accommodation and living costs.
I am now working as a junior doctor, and I hope to go into spine research and achieve my dream of becoming a surgeon. Your help extends far beyond the day, month or year you provide it, thank you for everything you've helped me accomplish so far and all I do in the future."
Emillie (Social Work 2024)
"Thank you for the scholarship that made it financially possible for me to study at Leeds. I can’t tell you what it means to be writing this new chapter. To be thinking of things like saving for a holiday, a house and looking forward to the first Christmas of our new ‘normal’. None of it would be possible without you.
Three years ago I was a single parent. I was on benefits with a young baby. Each month, I was looking at the bills coming in and picking one I wasn’t going to pay just so we could afford to eat. I’d grown up in poverty and I didn’t want that to be our future, so I applied for a scholarship to Leeds. I couldn’t believe it when I got it. Suddenly, that huge financial barrier standing between me and my ambition to become a social worker had gone. Getting a degree, even with all the costs and responsibilities of being a mum, was now just about possible.
This year, I graduated with a degree in Social Care from Leeds and have just secured my first job role. I can't wait to start supporting other people and making a difference to their lives, as you have to mine.""
Fabiha (Physics and Astrophysics 2024)
"Since graduating in 2024, I’ve been working as a Policy & Campaigns Coordinator at Leeds University Union and I genuinely love what I do! I support students who are passionate about changemaking and advocacy – just like I was in my first year. Sometimes they just need someone to say, “You can do this”. It’s deeply fulfilling to be the voice I once needed.
My personal life is thriving too –this month I marry my long-term partner! Ours is an interracial relationship, which sadly led to estrangement from my family. There was a time we weren’t sure we’d make it, but here we are, in the happiest chapter of my life.
Looking back, I know I couldn’t have come this far without my scholarship. When I arrived at Leeds, I’d been living in a refuge for 19 months and faced a serious mental health crisis. My scholarship gave me access to counselling and the chance to rebuild my confidence. University can be transformational — but only if you’re given the opportunity to grow. Your generosity is what helps to break down barriers for people like me – so thank you, all of you.""
84%
of scholars obtained a First or 2:1 degree
188
Scholarships awarded this year
1,000
student-led businesses able to flourish through Spark and Enterprise at Leeds
753
more students supported through our Lifestyle & Wellbeing Programme
493
students granted funding to access Leeds University Union clubs and societies
The Plus Programme
The Plus Programme acts as a focal hub to provide structured guidance and advice to all students who come from less represented backgrounds and may require additional help with navigating the university environment. It is available to all those who qualify for a scholarship, even if we were not able to award them one due to the number of applicants.
Therefore, your generous support goes beyond helping a select group of scholars by impacting the hundreds of students that engage with the Plus Programme each year.
Lifestyle & Wellbeing Programme
This programme - which combines referrals from Student Counselling and Wellbeing, Plus Programme, Disability Service, and Sport and Physical Activity - aims to enhance the overall wellbeing of students and equip them with the motivation, skills and confidence to make positive choices for their health and wellbeing long after the programme ends.
Thanks to your support students have been able to access wellness workshops and seminars with guest speakers and experts, one-to-one dedicated support from a wellbeing consultant and funding for exercise and mental wellbeing classes.
The continued support for this programme is vital for the mental and physical wellbeing of our students.
Why give a regular gift by direct debit?
By choosing to give regularly by direct debit, you will help us to:
- Look to the future and ensure that more students can be provided with a scholarship;
- Be bold in our approaches to the increasing demand for support and flexible to meet students’ changing needs. Whether that’s to support their wellbeing, academic achievement or even career aspirations.
You’ll join a community of almost 2,000 alumni and supporters who are behind students every step of the way. From taking up their place at Leeds, all the way through to the day they don their graduation gown and take steps into their careers.
Your legacy, their future
Making a will is one of the most important things you will ever do. By including a gift to the University in your will, you can help us to nurture people, generate ideas and make discoveries which will change the world for the better.
Our donor promise
As someone who supports Leeds, you’re making a real difference. You deserve to feel confident, valued, and fully informed about how your gift is used and how you’re kept in touch. This promise is all about you.
It's your gift, you decide how it's used
When you make a gift, 100% of it goes exactly where you want it to. Your gift will never be used for fundraising communications. These are funded by the University’s core budget and are always developed in the most cost-effective way possible.
You decide how you’re contacted.
The University of Leeds may reach out by mail, email, or phone to invite you to get involved – whether that’s through fundraising, volunteering, events, or networking. On average, you’ll receive just two fundraising appeals a year. The goal is to raise vital support without overwhelming you. There’s no pressure to give every time you’re contacted. And if you’d prefer to only hear about certain things, just let us know. We’ll make sure your preferences are respected.
You'll always be thanked
Every gift you make helps make amazing things happen at Leeds. If you choose to give, you’ll always receive a heartfelt thank you. It’s the least you should expect.
You can ask anything.
You deserve honesty and transparency. That’s why you’ll always get a clear explanation of why your support matters and how your gift is making a difference. If you have any questions about giving to Leeds, this Promise, or the incredible work you’re helping to fund, please email us at give@leeds.ac.uk
Further your
support today
If you would like, you can make a further gift today to help more students feel like Leeds is for them throughout their degree.
Keep in touch
We love to keep in contact with our global alumni and supporter community and provide updates on the latest from Leeds – including stories about the impact your generosity has across campus. Don’t miss out – update your details today.
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