Legacy giving at Kingston University

A legacy is a special and lasting way to support Kingston University. It is the sign of an exceptional relationship which recognises the part Kingston has played in your life and the role you can play in its future.

A decision to remember Kingston University in a legacy can make so much possible. Through bursaries and scholarships, a gift in your will can give opportunities to generations of future students to study at Kingston, whatever their background or financial circumstances. You could help with new resources and facilities, support which will be essential for the quality of our teaching in years to come or you could fund projects that innovate and drive industry forward. Alternatively, you could give my successors in the post of Vice-Chancellor the opportunity to direct vital funds towards projects wherever the need is greatest at the time.

Past legacies have helped me to support young people leaving care to attend university and to establish an acclaimed entrepreneurship programme across the University. As a result of alumni generosity and these programmes, hundreds of young people have achieved their potential. I would like my successors to be able to rely on the bequests made today for the benefit of future students and future challenges.

I hope these web pages will be useful to you and will help you make a very special and personal decision. Whatever the amount, I assure you that we appreciate every gift that will help future generations of students and future discovery and achievement at our university.

With heartfelt thanks,

Professor Steven Spier
Vice-Chancellor, Kingston University

We will always respect your privacy

• Leaving a legacy is a big decision. We understand you will decide in your own time.
• We would be grateful if you told us your intentions, but we don't expect you to give us specific details of your bequest.

We will respect your priorities

• Your family comes first.
• We respect your support of other causes.

We will respect your wishes

• If you want to direct your gift to an area of our work that is of special interest or importance to you, please contact us to discuss your ideas so that we can ensure that your wishes can be carried out.

We will be delighted to answer any questions you might have.

When making a gift in your will to Kingston University, please include our name, our address and exempt charity status:

Kingston University
Higher Education Corporation of Holmwood House
Grove Crescent
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey KT1 2EE

Kingston University has charitable status for all UK tax purposes and is an 'exempt' charity under Schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and under the terms of the Education Reform Act 1988. Consequently, it does not have a registered charity number.

If you have decided to leave a legacy gift, but already have a will, you can make an addition to your existing will through a codicil.

Wherever possible, Kingston University would like to use your name to recognise your legacy gift when your donation is received. This ensures that you continue to be a part of the Kingston University community after you are gone.

It also inspires our students to see examples of belief in them as a worthy investment, the importance of higher education and also the material success and generosity of our past alumni.

By remembering Kingston University in your will, you may be able to reduce the taxable value of your assets and so lower the amount of inheritance tax due on your estate.

The Inheritance Tax Threshold (IHT) is £325,000 as at July 2020. If the total value of your estate is above this threshold, it will be subject to IHT. As Kingston University has charitable status, a gift in your will would be exempt from IHT. The gift will be deducted from your estate before IHT is calculated, and so reduce the amount of IHT payable.

If you leave charitable gifts in your will that amount to 10 per cent or more of your chargeable net estate, the IHT rate on the whole of your estate will be reduced from 40 per cent to 36 per cent.

Your solicitor will be able to offer you further advice and guidance on efficient tax planning.

Please visit the GOV.UK website for further information.