What sort of legacy can I leave to the University of Cambridge?  

Thank you for considering remembering Cambridge with a gift in your Will. Your generosity will help transform tomorrow for future generations. 

There are several types of charitable legacy that you can leave to the University. If you would like your gift to benefit a specific area of the University, please contact us. This helps us ensure your planned legacy is used in accordance with your wishes and supports the University’s mission.  

How can I reduce the tax liabilities on my estate by leaving a legacy to the University of Cambridge? 

As the University of Cambridge has charitable status, your legacy to the University will be exempt from inheritance tax for UK taxpayers.  

Additionally, if you leave more than 10% of the total value of your estate to the University, you could benefit from a lower inheritance tax rate of 36% compared to the standard 40% tax charge. 

What if I am not a UK resident or taxpayer?  

Tax advantages vary depending on your country of residence, so please contact us or a qualified legal advisor to discuss further.  

If you are based in the United States, you can make a planned gift to Cambridge in America. For more information, please contact plannedgiving@cantab.org or visit Cambridge in America’s Planned Giving website. 

For all other countries, please contact us.  

A percentage legacy (a residuary gift) 

This type of gift leaves all or part of what is left of your estate after tax, debts, and other legacies have been paid. For example, “I give 50% of the residue of my estate, free of tax, to the University of Cambridge.” 

This type of legacy is especially valuable to charities, as it keeps its value over time. It can also give you peace of mind, knowing your estate will be distributed according to your wishes, without the need to update your Will if your circumstances change.  

Lump sum (a pecuniary/cash gift) 

This type of gift leaves a fixed sum of money. For example, “I give fifty thousand pounds [£50,000], free of tax, to the University of Cambridge.” 

This type of gift is simple to arrange and can be index-linked to prevent its value from being eroded by inflation. If you already have a Will, a pecuniary gift can be added using a codicil.  

Specific item  

A specific legacy allows you to leave a ‘gift-in-kind’, such as valuables and works of art or collections, to the University, either on terms that they are retained or that they may be sold. For example, “I give my jewellery collection, or any funds raised from the sale of the collection, free of tax, to the University of Cambridge.” 

Please contact us in advance if you would like to leave this kind of legacy.  

You may also want to consider if your planned gift could qualify for programmes such as the Acceptance in Lieu or Cultural Gifts Scheme. We recommend speaking to a legal adviser about this.  

Conditional legacy  

This gift will only benefit the University if certain conditions are met. It is most often used to provide for a spouse, but if the spouse dies before the donor, the legacy will instead benefit the University.   

Reversionary legacy  

This type of gift leaves your assets to a named beneficiary, such as your spouse or another dependent, for their lifetime. When they die, all or a specified proportion of the gift will revert to the University.  

Other assets  

You can also nominate the University of Cambridge to be the beneficiary of a pension fund or life insurance policy. Please speak to your providers directly to nominate the University. 

Variation of Wills  

Beneficiaries may choose to vary a Will legally using a Deed of Variation. This means reallocating part of their inheritance to a charity, allowing them to reduce potential tax liabilities. 

Suggested wording for your Will