Leave a Lasting Legacy

By leaving a legacy gift you are helping us to meet our ambitions to create change, to innovate, to revolutionise and ultimately make history.

The University of Suffolk is a transformational University. We are a distinctive, thriving academic community which makes a clear and immediate impact and we are strongly embedded in our local region — a university of, and for, the people.  Our national and international impact through research and innovation brings recognition to the region and supports regional growth and development.

The Wolsey Circle

The Wolsey Circle is our unique giving circle to recognise individuals, in their lifetime, for the pledges they have made to the University in their Will.  Named after Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who started the story of higher education in Suffolk over 500 years ago, this circle celebrates individuals who have chosen to leave a lasting and incredibly powerful legacy. If you would like to find out more about leaving a gift in your Will and joining the Wolsey Circle, please contact us on giving@uos.ac.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

The University of Suffolk advises that you consult a solicitor about the specific wording used to recognise the University in your Will. This will ensure that your Will is legal and that all your wishes can be acted upon.

Yes. A Codicil can be used if you have already made a Will but would like to update or change it. This allows you to add more gifts or change the amounts being shared without having to make a new Will. 

The University will recognise all gifts, including those pledged in a Will, in the most appropriate ways. We are very happy to discuss ideas or suggestions on how you would like to be recognised for your gift and will strive to fulfil all requests as far as possible. 

If you have chosen to recognise the University in your Will, we would be most grateful if you could inform us of your decision. You are not obligated to make us aware of your intentions but if you choose to do so we are able to recognise and thank you for your special commitment. Please complete the Legacy Pledge Form and preferably return it with a copy of your Will or the relevant section of your Will. 

Remembering University of Suffolk can be tax-efficient, because the University is an ‘exempt charity’. Leaving a legacy to the University in your Will may significantly reduce the amount of tax payable on your estate. Find out more on the HM Revenue & Customs site

The University of Suffolk is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011, regulated by the Office for Students (OfS) and a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales, company number 05078498, registered address Waterfront Building, Neptune Quay, Ipswich IP4 1QJ 

You can choose to leave a legacy in a number of ways. The most common ways are below. However, if you have something else in mind, please get in touch so we can discuss this with you. 

Residuary
All or part of the remainder of your estate after other legacies and charges have been met. A residuary bequest has the advantage that its value is least likely to be affected by inflation. 

Pecuniary
A specific sum of money. If you already have a will in place, a pecuniary legacy can be added by means of a codicil. 

Reversionary
Your assets will be left to a named beneficiary for their lifetime (your spouse, or other dependant for example). On their death, the whole of a specified proportion will then revert to the University. 

Specific
Allows you to leave a gift in kind, such as valuables, land, property, works of art or collections to the University, either on terms that they be retained or that they may be sold, and the proceeds devoted to other University purposes. 

Unrestricted or Restricted 
Leaving an unrestricted legacy to the University allows us to direct funds wherever there is the greatest need. When your gift is received, we will ensure we can make the best use and the biggest impact at that time. However, we recognise the great significance of you remembering the University of Suffolk in your Will and that you may prefer to remember a specific project or department.  Should you wish to do this, we ask that you inform us in advance of formalising your Will to ensure that the project, department or course is sustainable, and that your gift can be used in the best way possible. This way we can help tailor your legacy to ensure it means your desired outcome.

"Leaving a legacy to the Univeristy of Suffolk is an unrivalled opportunity to make an ongoing contribution to the health, welfare and education of the nation."

Neil Watts, Wolsey Circle member

University of Suffolk is an exempt charity under the Charities Act 2011, regulated by the Office for Students (OfS) and a company limited by guarantee.  Registered in England and Wales, company number 05078498, registered address: Waterfront Building, Neptune Quay, Ipswich, IP4 1QL.