Making your Will
A gift in your Will is a powerful way to change lives. You can empower a brilliant student with a scholarship, sustain the clubs that define the university experience, or ignite research on the cusp of a breakthrough. Read on to discover the steps you can take to make this your legacy.
Where your gift can make a difference
You have the power to decide where your legacy lives. Whether you want to support a specific passion or help us meet the greatest needs of the day, your gift will be used with care.
- Opportunity for all students, no matter their background
£4,600 would fund a scholarship for a disadvantaged student
A scholarship can be the difference between a talented student coming to Sheffield or missing out on a university education entirely. Your gift can provide the financial security they need to focus on their studies and reach their full potential.- Fuelling breakthroughs in the lab
£50,000 would help to fund a talented researcher in an area you're passionate about
£100,000 would help to fund a vital piece of equipment that will speed up new treatments
From finding new therapies for MND and Parkinson’s to solving the global climate crisis, Sheffield researchers are on the brink of discovery. A gift in your Will can provide the specialist equipment or the vital funding needed to turn a theory into a life-changing reality.- Sustaining the societies that define campus life
£1,000 would support a student society or sports team
For many, the best memories of Sheffield happen outside the lecture theatre. You can back the clubs, sports, and societies that build confidence, create lifelong friendships, and make our student experience so unique.
Write your Will for free
To make planning your legacy as easy as possible, Sheffield has partnered with the National Free Wills Network. This allows us to offer a limited number of our supporters the opportunity to write or update a simple Will through a local solicitor - entirely free of charge.
How it works:
- Request information: Our short, practical guide will give you all the information you need to get started.
- Find a solicitor: The Network will post you a list of participating solicitors in your local area.
- Book your visit: Choose your preferred solicitor and make an appointment.
- Finalise your wishes: Your solicitor will help you complete your Will, with the University covering the cost.
Key information for your solicitor
Making a gift in your Will is a significant step, and we want to make the process as simple as possible. We suggest consulting a professional to help plan your legacy securely. Here are the essential details your solicitor will need.
- Inheritance tax
The University pays no tax on gifts of money or property made in your lifetime or after your death, and a legacy gift to the University normally reduces tax payable on your estate, if it is over £325,000.
Any estate which leaves at least 10% of its taxable wealth to a charitable cause can take advantage of a reduced rate in Inheritance Tax, from its normal level of 40% down to 36%. Please speak to your solicitor or financial advisor to find out more.
- Official name and address
University Secretary
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN- Exempt charity status
The University of Sheffield is a charity, number X1089. It is exempt from Income Tax and Inheritance Tax.
Types of gifts and suggested wording
Every gift is unique, and yours should reflect your personal wishes. Below are some suggested starting points for your Will, which can be tailored to suit your needs. To ensure your gift reaches Sheffield exactly as you intend, we always recommend having your final wording reviewed by a professional solicitor.
- A share of your estate (residuary bequest)
This is often the most impactful way to give. After you have looked after your loved ones, you leave a percentage - or the remainder - of your estate to Sheffield. Because it is a share rather than a fixed sum, this type of gift keeps its value over time and automatically adjusts alongside your assets.
Suggested wording: “I give to the University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN (reference X1089) all [or a percentage share] of my residuary estate free from all taxes and duties to be applied to the general purposes (or other preferred area) of the said University. I declare that the receipt of the University Secretary or other authorised officer for the time being of the University shall be good and sufficient discharge to my Executors.”
- A specific gift (pecuniary bequest)
This is a gift of a fixed sum of money. To ensure your gift has the same impact when it is eventually received as it does today, your solicitor can "index-link" the amount to rise with inflation. This simple step ensures your support for Sheffield remains as significant as you intended.
Suggested wording: “I give to the University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN (reference X 1089) the sum of £………………………………. (in words and figures) free from all taxes and duties to be applied to the general purposes [or your preferred area] of the said University. I declare that the receipt of the University Secretary or other authorised officer for the time being of the University shall be good and sufficient discharge to my Executors.”
- Support Sheffield, later (reversionary request)
This option allows you to provide for your loved ones first. You can leave your estate (or a specific asset) to a partner or friend to use and enjoy during their lifetime. After they pass away, the gift is then transferred to the University. It is a wonderful way to ensure your family is cared for while still creating a lasting legacy at Sheffield.
Because these bequests are tailored to your family's specific needs, we recommend discussing the exact wording with your solicitor.
- Non-monetary bequests
You can bequeath specific assets such as property, valuables, works of art or stocks and shares. The University may sell non-financial gifts and use the proceeds in keeping with your wishes.
- Pension funds and life insurance policies
You can nominate the University of Sheffield as a beneficiary of your pension on death. This is applicable if you are currently withdrawing income from a personal pension fund or you have life assurance provided by your employer’s pension scheme. This is an extremely tax-efficient way of supporting the University with a gift that is completely free of Inheritance Tax. Please contact us for more information.
- International bequests
If you are considering including a gift to the University in your estate plans from the USA, there are specific ways to ensure your gift is as impactful and tax-efficient as possible.
Changing your current Will
If you already have a Will, you can easily add a gift to the University of Sheffield using a codicil form. This simple document acts as an addition to your existing Will.
Simply complete the codicil form below and share it with your solicitor to make your update official.
Download our codicil form (PDF, 269KB)
Already remembered Sheffield in your Will?
Let us know about your wishes
Letting us know about your gift doesn’t just allow us to say thank you - it ensures we understand exactly how you wish your legacy to be used. Whether you want to support a specific department or a particular cause, a quick conversation today ensures we can honour your intentions perfectly later on. Simply complete this form to tell us about your plans.
Our way of saying thank you
The Heritage Circle brings together those who have made the meaningful decision to remember Sheffield in their Will. It’s our way of showing our appreciation and honoring the role you play in Sheffield’s future success. As a member, you’ll enjoy special recognition in Firth Court and invitations to exclusive campus events, giving us the chance to thank you in person and keep you updated on the ways your gift will have an impact.
A community of legacy supporters
Be inspired by those who made the choice to remember Sheffield in their Will, and see how their gifts are making an impact across the University today.
Request an information pack
This simple, practical guide contains all the information and guidance you'll need to remember Sheffield in your Will, now or in the future.
I'm here to help
Get in touch with Philanthropy Manager Dave Meadows for a confidential conversation about your gift and its impact. No question is too big or too small.
T: +44 (0)114 222 1073
E: d.meadows@sheffield.ac.uk