A gift in your will to Birmingham

The University of Birmingham has always been a place where people change lives, through pioneering research, education and opportunity. A gift in your will gives you the chance to be part of that story for generations to come.

We understand how important it is to ensure that family and friends are provided for, but where possible please consider supporting the University and its future.

You will play a vital role in our future aspirations and even a small donation can make a big difference. If you have fond memories of Birmingham, or resonate with any of the life-changing research we undertake, please consider remembering us with a gift in your will.

Request your legacy brochure

The dome of the Aston Webb building visible behind a bush of purple flowers.

What will your story look like?

As you think about the legacy you want to leave, consider what has mattered most to you. For 125 years, alumni and friends have chosen to remember Birmingham in their wills.

Some do so to support future students, others because our research has touched their lives or the lives of those close to them. For many, it is their connection to the University and the memories made here that inspire them to give back.

Sam and Amanda Cruchley

Sam and Amanda have pledged a gift to help future students at the university where they met.

"It’s hard to define what Birmingham means to us as it has been a big and consistent part of our lives for well over a decade and hopefully for many years to come."

Read Sam and Amanda's story

Why Birmingham?

The University of Birmingham is widely recognised as England's first civic university. We pride ourselves on our strong connection to the city and our dedication to supporting and working with our community. We are also world‑leading in many areas of medical research, making Birmingham an exciting place where your support can make a real difference. Including a gift in your will is a simple way to transform the lives of young people, advance research, and help shape the future of Birmingham.

Open the door for future students

Student support will always be at the heart of the University. We want every student to make the most of their time here, even as the cost of living makes this increasingly challenging.

Gifts in wills play a vital role in sustaining and growing the support we can offer, including programmes like our Pathways to Birmingham (P2B) scheme, which helps hundreds of talented students from underrepresented backgrounds study here each year.

By leaving a gift to student support, you can help change lives through education.

Drive life-changing research

Help our researchers continue to change the world we live in for the better. Birmingham is at the heart of world-changing research that is saving lives in the UK and across the world.

Our medical research is world-renowned in many areas, including: cancer, immunology, infectious disease, women's health, and more. There are many areas where Birmingham is genuinely making positive, real-life impact to global healthcare.

Your gift could help turn discoveries into treatments that change lives around the world.

Protect our planet

We are conducting unique research into climate resilience that goes beyond theory and focuses on practical solutions. The Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) is the only experiment of its kind to investigate how to help our forests survive climate change.

Your gift could could help protect our planet supporting pioneering research into climate change and how we safeguard the natural world for future generations.

Unrestricted gifts are particularly useful to the University, as they allow flexibility to allocate funds to the areas where they can be most effective at any given time.

Interested in an endowment?

We have created the Future Funds for student support or medical research. These are permanent endowments allow your gift to grow over time, creating lasting impact for generations to come.

There are many ways your legacy could make a difference beyond the areas above. Whatever matters most to you, we would be delighted to help you shape your gift. To start the conversation, please contact Thomas Kay, Head of Legacy & Endowments, on +44 (0)121 414 9161.

Revolutionary personalised cancer treatments developed in Birmingham are helping us manage and treat cancer much more effectively. Legacy gifts help us continue to be at the forefront of the latest cancer treatments.
Professor Paul Moss
Deputy Head of College of Medicine and Health and Professor of Haematology

How to make a gift in your will

Writing a will often isn't particularly expensive, but it is essential to make sure your estate is taken care of and goes to help the friends, family and causes that you care most about. In every case, we recommend that you consult a solicitor when making or updating your will to ensure it is in line with current legislation. Here are some answers to common questions.

Getting started

Why do I need a will?

A will sets out how you want your estate (everything you own, from property to savings and possessions) to be shared after your death. Without one, some or all of your estate may pass according to legal rules rather than your wishes. Writing a will gives you peace of mind and the opportunity to support the people and causes you care about.

How do I make or update a will? Do you have any suggested wording?

We would always advise using a solicitor to write or update your will. You can download our suggested wording for a legacy (PDF, 153KB), which you may find useful to share with your solicitor. If you would like your gift to benefit a more specific area we recommend that you contact us and we would be delighted to offer guidance.

Write your will for free today

Staff and alumni of the University of Birmingham, along with their partners, can benefit from a free will writing service with Dunham McCarthy. Making a will can feel like a big step, but their expert advisors are there to support you and make the process clear, simple and stress-free.

Types of gifts

What kind of gifts can I leave?

There are several ways to leave a gift in your will, all of which can support our staff and students:

Residuary gift – a share of what remains after all other gifts have been made (often a percentage)
Pecuniary gift – a fixed sum of money
Specific gift – an item such as property, shares or a piece of art

Can I leave a gift in memory of someone?

People often leave gifts in memory of people who they have lost, either because Birmingham meant a lot to them or because research that we are doing at the University could prevent others from suffering. Please visit our webpage on giving in memory of someone

Tax and financial considerations

Will leaving a gift to charity affect inheritance tax?

Gifts to the University of Birmingham are exempt from UK inheritance tax (IHT) due to our charitable status. If you leave 10% or more of your estate to charity, your IHT rate may be reduced from 40% to 36%, meaning your gift could also lower the tax due on your estate. We recommend speaking to your solicitor or financial adviser for guidance. Our HMRC tax-exemption number is X7237 and our registered address is The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT.

You can still leave a gift to the University if you are not a UK resident, although tax benefits may vary depending on your country of residence. We recommend seeking local professional advice.

How is inheritance tax changing from 2027?

The UK Government announced that they will continue to freeze the inheritance tax (IHT) threshold at £325,000 until 2031. Additionally, it was announced that from April 2027 defined contribution pensions will no longer be exempt. This means that unused pension funds may be included in a person's estate for IHT purposes.

We would advise speaking to a financial adviser to see how this change may affect you and for any other advice on this matter.

We'd love to hear from you

If you’re considering leaving a gift or would simply like to explore your options, we’d love to hear from you. There’s no obligation, just a friendly conversation.

Contact Us

Email: legacies@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Telephone: 44 (0)121 414 9161

Postal address: Development and Alumni Relations Office, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT

The Legacy Team:

Thomas Kay (Head of Legacy & Endowments)
Hannah O'Neill (Legacy & Endowment Officer)
Mica Howard (Legacy & In Memory Giving Officer)

Legacy News

Close-up of the Aston Webb domes illuminated with the purple hue of a dawn sun

A Year of Generosity: Reflecting on Legacy Gifts in 2025

As we step into a new year, we take a moment to reflect on the generosity shown by alumni and supporters through legacy gifts in 2025.

Read about legacies in 2025

Gifts in Wills Lead to Life-Changing Cancer Research

Gifts left in wills in the past are helping to shape the cancer research making a difference to patients today.

Read about legacies and cancer research