Did you have the time of your life at Leeds?

Turn your favourite memories into a life-changing opportunity

What are your happiest memories of studying at Leeds? Meeting friends on the Parkinson steps? Catching up for pints at the Old Bar? Graduating in the Great Hall?

For many of us, our years at Leeds were some of the best of our lives - years that shaped us, inspired us, and gave us friendships and experiences we still cherish.

But for many talented students today, a Leeds experience like yours is out of reach.

Leeds is still the special place you graduated from, but today's students face financial challenges you could have never imagined.

The students of today are facing tuition fees of £9,535 per year, with annual living costs averaging £12,000.

This means many students have to rely on family financial support or juggle long hours of part-time work alongside their studies, leaving them little time to fully embrace university life. However, the most vulnerable students don’t even have these options: they have no family to turn to or all their spare time is taken up caring for loved ones.

Below you can read more from Dawit, a first year Biomedical student who faced overwhelming odds to secure a place at Leeds.

Without a scholarship, he may never have had the chance to study at Leeds at all.

This is why your generosity today means so much to the students of tomorrow - so they don't miss out on everything that made your time at Leeds so special.

By giving a gift before 31st July, you can help us to ensure that the Leeds of 2025 is still the same life-changing place it was for you.

A special university and city where bright, passionate students get the chance to have the time of their lives.

Please give today so we can award scholarships in time for the new academic year.

Give today

Best wishes,
Beth Whitaker
Senior Development Manager
University of Leeds

Meet Dawit

Dawit arrived in the UK alone as a 17-year-old refugee, fleeing from religious persecution and unable to speak English. His journey was fraught with challenges from navigating a new country without family to spending sleepless nights overwhelmed by his circumstances.

Yet, amidst these struggles, Dawit held onto a burning ambition - to study Biomedical Science and contribute to life-changing research in oncology, inspired by the loss of a close friend to cancer.

I knew I was going to have to work harder than anyone else to reach my goal. I was determined to overcome my struggles so I could study science and make a difference.”

Dawit's biggest challenge was lack of finances. He knew he was going to need a lot more support to study at university. That's when he learned from a friend about the Leeds's means tested scholarship and applied.

Thanks to the generosity of the Leeds alumni community, Dawit received the scholarship that turned his dream into reality.

I don’t have to worry about finances now and I can focus. It’s just made everything easier. I can spend more time studying in the library - I love being in the library! I don’t have to worry about getting a part-time job to provide food or things that I need.”

Dawit is now approaching his second year at Leeds, determined to build a strong foundation in his scientific studies, to contribute to healthcare advancements that save lives. One day, Dawit hopes to give back, just as generous alumni have done for him.

The Leeds alumni community saved me and my dream with the gift of a scholarship. One day, I aspire to contribute to help new generations of students follow their dreams to study at Leeds too.”

£9,535

per year, are the fees faced by current students

With annual living costs of:

£12,000

Your gift could be the start of the best years
of a students life:

£100

could provide a student like Dawit with a kitchen and bedding pack, allowing them to arrive and settle in to their new Leeds home

£300

could help fund a student's first unforgettable term at Leeds, a time full of new friendships, new experiences and new opportunities.

£3,000

could fund a year of a three-year scholarship and give a student like Dawit some of the best years of their life.

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.

Give a regular gift today

Memories through the decades

Explore alumni memories through the decades, as you take us back to your happiest times at Leeds.

1953

“I met my wife, Irene, at one of the regular Wednesday and Saturday night ‘hops’ held in the Riley Smith. I’m not sure love at first sight is possible but by the end of the last waltz we both wanted to get know each other.”

Tony Turrill (Colour Chemistry 1953)

1966

“The Beatles, Stones, Dylan, Kennedy’s assassination and the nuclear threat. But we were young, optimistic and exhilarated by the music, colour and fashion.”

Margaret Davidson (History 1966)

1977

“I met Charlotte at the Cat’s Whiskers Nightclub in Meanwood. Charlotte surprisingly said ‘yes’ when I asked her for a dance. You can tell how serious I was because I even bought fish and chips for us at Sweaty Betty’s!”

John Gaunton (Chemistry and Mineral Processing 1977)

1982

“I’d travelled to Leeds in pretty bad weather and was shown around by some of the students, including the department, the library and Red Route. We were then treated to a Christmas dinner! I was so impressed by how welcoming everyone was – how could I not choose Leeds!”

Joanna Ellis (Microbiology 1982)

1996

“My first memory on campus was seeing the Eddy Boyle, the Roger Stevens and the Uni Bar which soon became familiar places. How I’d love to have that time again.”

Russell Weston-Walker (Environmental Management 1996)

2001

“I volunteered to show prospective students around. Trying to be cool, I didn’t pay attention and fell down the stairs in the Worsley Building! The next year I met a girl who’d seen my ‘Only Fools and Horses’ moment. We’ve been together ever since, so you could say I fell for my wife at Leeds!”

Dr Matt Blackamore (Medicine 2001)

2012

“The Brotherton Library had an amazing atmosphere. I used to imagine all the famous scientists and authors that had sat and worked there. But my favourite place on campus was LUU, it felt like home to me.”

Robabeh Gharaei (Textiles 2012)

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.