Six years after launching its ambitious target of raising £500 million to support students, the University of Cambridge has surpassed this major milestone.

The money raised from the generous gifts of donors has supported a range of efforts in three major areas; postgraduate studentships, undergraduate financial support and widening participation programmes and student life and wellbeing. Alongside hundreds of new studentships and improved access to bursary support, the University has established several new programmes, including the landmark Foundation Year. 

At a time of increasing competition for funds, more than £278 million has been set aside to provide fully funded studentships for PhD and Master’s students. This money is vital in helping them continue with their pioneering research.

The largest donation to the initiative came from David and Claudia Harding. Their £100 million gift was the highest single donation in the University’s history from a UK based donor. The Harding Challenge, which was subsequently set up in the couple’s name and ran from 2019 to 2024, enabled an expansion in bursary provision. It also encouraged 10,800 people to make gifts - 60% of them were first time donors to either the University or the Colleges. Collectively they have given more than £48.5 million. 

This funding has enabled eligibility for the Cambridge Bursary Scheme (CBS) to broaden significantly. The CBS provides students with up to £3,500 per year to help towards their living costs. The awards are non-refundable with the highest amounts going to support those with the greatest need, for example, those who were on free school meals. This has been truly transformative, helping students continue their journeys through higher education without being overburdened by financial worries.

An additional 735 economically disadvantaged students have become eligible for this support as a result of the Harding Challenge. In total, the expanded CBS has already supported 1,546 undergraduates through their degree courses and is anticipated to support more than 400 students per year on an ongoing basis.

The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice, says:

“The Student Support Initiative ensures all students with the potential to excel have their chance to study at Cambridge and its Colleges. With bursaries, studentships and our landmark Foundation Year we’ve been able to remove financial barriers so brilliant young undergraduates can start their academic journeys in Cambridge. This is changing all our lives.”

The University’s Foundation Year wouldn’t have been possible without the support it received from the Student Support Initiative. A fully paid pre-degree course in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, it’s currently hosting its third cohort of students. Isaac James was successful in securing a place on the Foundation Year and has stayed on at Cambridge to complete a degree in Classics. He was awarded a ‘Get In’ bursary to help him through his first year:

“Securing a place on the Foundation Year is one of my proudest achievements and made my life-long dream of studying at Cambridge a reality. Receiving the Get In Rajagopalan award this year has also been a game-changer.

"Prior to progressing on to my undergraduate course I had been worried about supporting myself financially, but the additional support from Get In has afforded me the headspace to focus on my studies. Not having to worry about working over the holidays has been a huge relief!”

Tobias Barnett is studying for a PhD in French language and history. He is a Vice-Chancellor’s and Crausaz Wordsworth scholar:

“When you have a scholarship you feel like someone’s got their hand behind your back and they’re pushing you forward and want you to succeed. That really changes the way you do your work and your research. You have faith in yourself in many ways.”

More than £61 million has been set aside, by both the University and the Colleges, for improved mental welfare support. This has enabled more counselling and wellbeing staff to be recruited at a time of increasing demand for their services.

The University is committed to raising more money to support students beyond their undergraduate degree so they can continue their education to complete Master’s and PhD level qualifications. The fundraising effort will continue in future years with the aim of ensuring Cambridge is a welcoming environment for all to study in, and a place where all can thrive. 

We are continuing to do all we can to support our students. If you would like to get involved please contact the Development and Alumni Relations Office.

Read more about the Harding Challenge.

 Published 7th November 2024

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