A message from the Vice-Chancellor
Right now, campus is buzzing with energy as the new academic year begins.
And I am so pleased to be able to welcome 146 new scholarship students to Leeds this year, thanks to gifts made by our alumni and donor community.
Seeing students set foot on campus for the first time takes me back to my own journey. Arriving from a small US town, first in my family to attend university, nervous but excited, with a love of art and a sense of adventure.
Every student needs more than a place on a course. They need a route to success and a strong community to help them get there.
Which is why, today, I am asking for your help.
New research shows a three-year degree in England now costs around £90,000. First-year students in halls need £418 per week just to get by – £158 of that on rent alone.
But financial pressure is only part of the story. Like many of our students, I was the first in my family to go to university. It gave me pride but also uncertainty.
I’ve made it my mission to ensure every student has the support they need. From their first lecture to their final exam and beyond.
Our successful Plus Programme remains vital, but we know there’s more to do. We’re working to tailor support at every stage of the student journey, recognising diverse backgrounds and helping smooth transitions.
We’re rolling out a more targeted approach to reach those who need help – sometimes even before they realise it themselves. You can read more about this in the details below regarding our Access and Success Strategy.
You will also hear from Gabriella, a third year Nursing student who was able to tackle some of the barriers she faced, thanks to vital support services provided by the University, subsidised by donors.
From peer buddies in week one, to Plus Programme networks in first year, to development and career coaching in their final year, your gift can help students not just stay at Leeds but grow here. Succeed here. Thrive here.
Together, we can make sure every student has a route to success at Leeds and beyond.
Please give today and be part of this special journey – your generosity is life-changing.
Best wishes,
Shearer West
Vice-Chancellor and President
University of Leeds
Meet
Gabriella
Gabriella had come from a difficult family background and felt uncertain about how she would settle into her time at Leeds and whether or not she would make it through her first semester.
She found a sense of community and belonging through the Plus Programme – but in her second year, found herself in a toxic living situation and needed a way out.
An emergency grant gave me a safe place to live and the stability I'd yearned for. This changed everything and had a profound impact on my mental and physical wellbeing.”
Through the Plus Programme, Gabriella continued to receive wellbeing support, new accommodation, and she connected with peers who helped her feel safe and supported. She’s now on track to graduate in nursing and build a life in a city she loves.
All of this would not have been possible without the kindness and generosity of the Leeds alumni and donor community.
What's carried me this far – and what will carry me the rest of the way – is knowing that people like you believe in students like me.”
Gabriella's journey isn't over yet. Like many students, she still has goals to reach and challenges to overcome. With your support today, you will be helping to ensure students like her have a route to success at Leeds.
A route to success
What happens over the next three years could shape a student's entire life. At Leeds we are on a mission to ensure all students, regardless of personal circumstance, have a dedicated route to success through our Access and Success Strategy.
Welcoming and belonging
Connecting like-minded students, regardless of background, through the Plus Programme induction and activities and events is crucial to making them feel welcome at Leeds.
Your gift supports:
- Welcome Buddy Scheme
- Welcome events and socials
- Peer-led orientation activities
Settling in
Students have a range of support services – both academic and non academic – which cater for a diversity of needs, so they know where to turn in their first few weeks.
Your gift supports:
- Plus Programme community building
- Skills workshops and 1:1 advice sessions
- Access and wellbeing resources
Overcoming crisis
Financial and pastoral support for students is available when an emergency hits during their studies, to help prevent them from dropping out.
Your gift supports:
- Emergency hardship funds
- Cost-of-living grants
- Lifestyle & Wellbeing Programme
Growth and confidence
With the right support and coaching, all students can feel empowered to transition seamlessly between academic years without unnecessary barriers and obstacles.
Your gift supports:
- Student Development Coaching
- Academic mentoring
- Mental health support services
Chris Hamer (Exploration Geophysics 2016) has supported students and their continuation at Leeds for over seven years. As a Leeds alum, he feels passionate about funding targeted programmes to give students the best chance at success.
"I support these initiatives because they help students build towards the goals they have already set for themselves. These programmes help provide support for students to achieve their potential.
"By removing barriers, the initiatives give students the freedom to pursue their studies with confidence and turn ambition into accomplishment.
"For me, that’s what matters most: ensuring every student has the chance to thrive at Leeds and make the very most of the opportunities ahead of them.”
£100
could provide students in a crisis with 1:1 wellbeing support
£200
could ensure that students find their support networks through Plus Programme events and activities
£500
could enable a student to take up an opportunity of a lifetime
£1,000
could provide financial support for a student's first term
How can I make my gift go further?
By choosing to give regularly by direct debit, you will help us to look to the future and be bold in our approaches to the increasing demand for support and flexibility 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.
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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