Supporting Undergraduates

Every donation to Magdalene helps ensure that the College’s commitment to academic excellence includes the provision of financial support when needed, enabling recipients to focus on their studies unencumbered by financial worries and to make the most of the wide range of available opportunities.

Contributions, large or small, make a real difference in sustaining bursaries, enhancing facilities and supporting future generations of Magdalene students.

The Magdalene Bursary Scheme was established in 2012 in response to the increase in university tuition fees for Home students. Since then, it has provided vital financial support to hundreds of undergraduates, helping to ensure that talented students can thrive at Magdalene regardless of their financial circumstances.

Delivered in partnership with the Cambridge Bursary Scheme, one of the most generous student support programmes in the country, the Magdalene Bursary Scheme provides targeted assistance to students from lower-income backgrounds. Bursaries are awarded based on financial assessments carried out by the Student Loans Company and provide annual maintenance support of between £4,500 and £7,200 for students receiving a full bursary, and up to £4,500 for those awarded a partial bursary.

This support can make a transformative difference to a student's experience. By reducing financial pressures, bursaries allow students to focus on their studies, participate fully in College life and take advantage of the opportunities that make a Magdalene education so distinctive.

The scheme is made possible through the remarkable generosity of Members and Friends who choose to support the Expendable Bursary Fund year on year, demonstrating a shared commitment to ensuring that financial barriers never prevent the brightest students from benefiting from a Magdalene education.

Every gift, whatever its size, helps sustain this life-changing support and ensures that future generations of students can flourish at Magdalene.

Find out more about the Magdalene Bursary Scheme.

Many of these ‘Magdalene’ bursaries are named individual bursaries generously funded by donations from Members but we also have a number of fully endowed bursary funds. One of the College's recent traditions is to honour the service of the outgoing Master and their partner by raising funds to endow a permanent bursary fund in their name. Thanks to the generosity of Magdalene Members and Friends, we have been awarding one Duncan and Lisa Robinson Bursary (Duncan Robinson was the Master between 2022 – 2012) since 2013 and one Rowan and Jane Williams Bursary (Rowan Williams was Master from 2013 – 2020) since 2021 to eligible Magdalene students every year.

We are now looking to raise funds to permanently endow a third such bursary fund named in honour of the outgoing Master, Sir Christopher Greenwood, and his wife, Sue. Together, they have done so much for the College, hosting students, Fellows, staff and non-resident Members in the Master's Lodge, taking part in many College occasions, supporting students in all sorts of endeavours and travelling extensively to bring Magdalene alumni together. Perhaps most importantly, they have worked tirelessly to ensure that the College remains the warm, thriving and welcoming community we are all proud to be part of.

With your help, we plan to raise a minimum of £250,000 to endow a permanent fund in honour of Chris and Sue's service to the College in perpetuity. This sum will generate sufficient annual income to fund at least one full Chris and Sue Greenwood Bursary every year and we plan to award the first Chris and Sue Greenwood Bursary in October 2027. Thank you!

Your support ensures that Magdalene continues to provide exceptional education, vital financial assistance, and the best possible opportunities for its students. Every donation, no matter the size, has a lasting impact—funding bursaries, improving facilities, and safeguarding the future of academic excellence at the College.

By making a gift today, you help us uphold our commitment to attracting and supporting the brightest students, regardless of their financial background. Make a difference today!
 

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