The Graduating Class Gift

The Graduating Class Gift offers an opportunity for our newest graduates to support those who come after them and ensure that anyone with the talent and drive to succeed at Kingston is able to do so. Since launching in 2016, we've been blown away by the commitment shown by our graduating students to supporting those who will follow in their footsteps.

How does it work?

As students approach graduation and are busy arranging gowns and celebratory meals, we invite them to make a gift of just £3 to future students in need through our Inspire the Future campaign. Whether at the point of booking tickets, via text or at their graduation ceremonies themselves, hundreds of students every year take part - and their contributions are matched 100% by existing alumni donations.

What impact does it have?

Since launching the Graduating Class Gift has provided enough to support a bursary for a student who has left care for an entire year and supported students in their time of need through the Student Hardship Fund.

Every year, we reach out to graduates who gave and ask them to vote on what they would like the Graduating Class Gift to support.

Meet Arshia

With fewer than six months left of his PhD, Arshia's research into innovative treatments for cervical cancer was at risk due to circumstances entirely outside of his control. The Class of 2017 made sure he completed his studies.

As an international student, Arshia had been self-funding his tuition fees and accommodation costs. He was only legally entitled to work 20 hours a week, most of which was taken up with teaching two students on the MSc Cancer Biology course, on top of his own full-time research. In early 2018, the currency of his home country crashed and although Arshia and his family had already paid nearly £40,000 in tuition fees, suddenly they were left unable to cover his last few months of rent for the final few months left of his research.

Thanks to the students who gave to the Graduating Class Gift of 2017, we were able to award the Class Gift to Arshia and support his valuable research.

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about how to support students at Kingston, please email Alumni at alumni@kingston.ac.uk or read more about how to get involved.