Surrey's £70.3 million fundraiser powering change-making research and student futures

The University of Surrey's ambitious fundraising campaign has raised more than £70.3 million to fund transformational research and support talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to enter higher education.

Running for over three years, The Future Says Surrey campaign has allowed the University to invest in research projects, including:

Investigating the arrow of time and its role in quantum biology. Led by renowned scientist Professor Jim Al-Khalili, researchers have explored one of life’s biggest mysteries– the arrow of time and its forward motion from past to future. With funding from a $3 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation, the team has brought together experts in quantum physics, applied mathematics, computational chemistry and molecular biology to investigate this fundamental question, advancing our understanding of quantum biology and opening new possibilities for future discoveries.

Building artificial intelligence (AI) sign language translation models that could help the deaf community better navigate the internet. The campaign secured funding from Google.org – the organisation's philanthropic arm – that will allow a University spin-out, Signapse, to translate key websites into sign language, boosting digital inclusion for the 600,000 deaf people in the US and UK for whom sign language is their first language.

The Space4Nature project is harnessing satellite technology and AI to create a clearer, more detailed picture of the Surrey Hills’ unique landscapes. By working with volunteers and citizen scientists, the project is driving efforts to tackle biodiversity loss while generating insights that could reshape our understanding of environmental change on a global scale.

University research can transform our world for the better – but ground-breaking research requires committed, stable funding. The Future Says Surrey campaign has allowed our talented researchers to undertake future-facing research that is delivering real change for communities in the UK and around the world. Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Physics

Launched in February 2022 by the Chancellor of the University of Surrey, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, a quarter of the funds raised have been allocated to scholarships, bursaries and additional financial support for students facing hardship. More than 40 scholarships have been funded across the campaign, giving essential support to 300 students. The scholarships focus on creating opportunities for those from underrepresented backgrounds, supporting doctors, veterinarians, music producers and actors of the future.

One such effort is the Battersea Scholarship, named after the precursor to the University of Surrey and funded by alumni from 1941 to 1971. Thanks to the collective response of this cohort, The Battersea Scholarship helps talented students who are estranged from their families or have been in care.

I have pursued my academic goals without the constant pressure of financial constraints. The support goes beyond just monetary assistance; it embodies a belief in the potential of students like me. It empowers us to strive for excellence, explore new opportunities, and grow into capable, confident individuals ready to contribute to the world. Anwar, the first recipient of the Battersea Scholarship

Our campaign has not just exceeded expectations – it has set the University of Surrey on a bold path for the future. The generosity of our global community has empowered us to invest in life-changing research and open doors for talented students who might otherwise never have had the chance to pursue higher education. Thanks to this collective effort, we are building a legacy of innovation, inclusion, and impact that will shape Surrey – and the world – for generations to come. Patrick Degg, Vice-President, Global