Gifts in wills
With a gift in your will, you can create opportunities for education and research for future generations.
If you are thinking about the future, leaving a legacy to the University of Edinburgh can be a powerful way to make a contribution to the lives of others.
What can my gift support?
Leaving a legacy to the University of Edinburgh can pave the way for more talented people to access higher education, create transformative educational experiences for our students, and help support the research needed to solve global challenges.
Learn more about giving to the University of Edinburgh.
If you prefer, you can direct your gift to a specific cause you care about.
I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to study at Edinburgh University, one of the foremost places of learning in the world. We live in increasingly challenging times and in order to develop viable solutions to the manifold problems we are facing today, such as climate change, lack of resources and continuing conflicts, we need to support centres of excellence such as Edinburgh. This is why I am leaving a legacy to the University so that it may help Edinburgh to continue their valuable research and will also enable gifted students from all walks of life to fulfil their potential and ambitions to make a positive contribution to our society.
How to leave a legacy
Whatever your circumstances, we can guide you through the process of leaving a gift in your will.
I don’t have a will
It’s never too early to write a will. It’s an important step to take to make sure our loved ones will be looked after when we’re gone and that the assets we’ve worked hard to accumulate will be distributed fairly and according to our wishes.
We recommend consulting a solicitor to help you write a will.
I already have a will
If you already have a will but would like to add a legacy gift to the University of Edinburgh, you can seek advice from a solicitor to make an addition to your will, known as a codicil.
Different types of gifts
Your gift to the University can take different forms:
A share of your estate – known as a residuary legacy, you can choose to leave a percentage of your estate to the University.
A fixed sum of money – known as a pecuniary legacy, you can choose to leave a fixed sum of money and you can link this to the Retail Price Index to ensure that its value is worth the same in the future.
You can also gift land, buildings, personal possessions, such as books, antiques, paintings, and shares or securities.
Sample wording for your solicitor
Leaving a residuary gift (a share of your estate)
I give free of tax …..(specify % of residuary estate, or state sum (preferably inflation linked to the Retail Price Index)) of my real and personal estate to The University of Edinburgh Development Trust, charity number SC004307 (said legacy will extend to such charity in any changed name or to any other charity with which the University of Edinburgh Development Trust shall have merged or to which it shall otherwise have transferred its undertakings), to be used to support where the need is greatest (or specify preferred area) at the University of Edinburgh, and I direct that the receipt of the Secretary of The University of Edinburgh or other duly appointed officer for the time being of the said charity shall be sufficient discharge for my Executors or Trustees.
Leaving a pecuniary gift (a fixed sum of money)
I give free of tax the sum of £… (preferably inflation linked to the Retail Price Index) or….(specify gift) to The University of Edinburgh Development Trust, charity number SCOO4307 (said legacy will extend to such charity in any changed name or to any other charity with which the University of Edinburgh Development Trust shall have merged or to which it shall otherwise have transferred its undertakings), to be used to support where the need is greatest (or specify preferred area), and I direct that the receipt of the Secretary of The University of Edinburgh or other duly appointed officer for the time being of the said charity shall be sufficient discharge for my Executors or Trustees.
Or you can download the text in Word to send you your solicitor.
Tax benefits
The University of Edinburgh is a registered charity so in most cases your gift to us will be tax-free and will reduce the inheritance tax burden on your estate.
Your donation will either be taken off the value of your estate before inheritance tax is calculated or reduce your inheritance tax rate, if 10% or more of your estate is left to charity.
If you are based in the US
For US donors interested in leaving a legacy, visit our Planned Giving website to review your options.
Visit our Planned Giving website
Join our community
We are extremely grateful to everyone who pledges to leave a gift in their will. Legacy giving has helped us to set up scholarships and bursaries, improve our facilities, and support research breakthroughs.
Everyone who pledges to leave a gift in their will become part of our Carlyle Circle and will be invited to a programme of events.
Talk to us
If you’re thinking about leaving a gift in your will, get in touch for an informal conversation with Morag Murison, Head of Legacies and Planned Gifts.
- morag.murison@ed.ac.uk
- +44 (0)131 650 9637