As one of the first generation in my family to attend university, Exeter was a formative influence on my life. I would like future generations to have the privilege of that experience. Over recent years as an alumna, I have become increasingly proud of the world class research taking place at the University and the way it is seeking solutions to a wide range of the world’s problems. This is why I’ll be remembering Exeter in my Will.

Melody Dougan (BA History, 1958)

Get in touch

If you would like to talk in confidence with a member of our team, then we would be happy to answer any questions. Please contact the team on legacies@exeter.ac.uk or +44 (0)1392 722237

Download our legacy brochure

Online tributes

MuchLoved.com allows you to create your own special memorial website in tribute to your loved one, where you can share memories, thoughts and stories with family and friends. You can also request donations in their memory including, if you wish, to the University of Exeter.

Support the Exeter Forever Endowment Fund with a gift in your Will

To date, endowed funds have supported student and research scholarships here at Exeter. And more can be accomplished - we wish to build our Exeter Forever Fund so that we can support many more vital projects, in areas like dementia, diabetes and marine plastics, and students across the University in the future. Leaving a gift in your Will to the University of Exeter is tax efficient. It is likely that every £1,000 you leave us could reduce the inheritance tax payable on your estate by £400. If you are living overseas you can still easily leave a gift in your Will to the University. We recommend, however, that in all cases you take independent legal advice to ensure your Will meets the laws and regulations in the UK or your country or domicile and residence. If you would like your gift to be used for a specific purpose please contact the Legacy Team.

Gifts received are invested and only the gains and interest of this endowment will ever be spent, to support the most pressing needs at Exeter. All gifts, of all sizes, are appreciated as together they can be transformational. We fully recognise that your loved ones come first but perhaps you would remember the University - for example, just 1% of your estate could make a huge difference.

Gifts to charity are typically deducted from the value of your estate before inheritance tax is calculated. By donating 10% of your Will to charity, your inheritance tax may reduce further from 40% to 36% on the taxable part of your ‘estate’. We recommend you seek independent professional advice to find out more – and it’s helpful to check with HMRC rules on inheritance tax too: https://www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax   

Your gift will have the power to keep on giving to the University... forever.

Putting your wishes into words...

Suggested wording for making a provision in your Will for the University of Exeter is provided below. We would always recommend you seek independent professional advice.

"I give to the University of Exeter, Northcote House, The Queen's Drive, Exeter EX4 4QJ (exempt charity number X9538)...

 The residue of my estate

or     {a percentage} of the residue of my estate

or     the sum of £{amount} free of tax*

or     {specific item}

...for its generable charitable purposes, and I declare that the receipt of a proper officer of the University shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors."

* Please contact the University of Exeter should you wish to protect the future value of your legacy via index-linking.

Our promises about gifts in Wills

  • We absolutely recognise that those closest to you come first in your Will.
  • We fully understand that personal circumstances change and there might be a time when you must take the University out of your Will.
  • We promise to use your gift wisely for the benefit of future generations.

If you would like to talk in confidence with a member of our team, then we would be happy to answer any questions. Please contact the team on legacies@exeter.ac.uk or +44 (0)1392 722235