Textbooks should not be a Luxury

Two in five undergraduates in England from lower-income households have had to cut back on textbooks because of financial pressures, while accumulating average debts of £44,000 and rising.  In comparison, many of us got a university education for free, often with significant grant support along the way. We believe this contrast is glaring…

Let’s do something about it

...but importantly we believe we can do something about it.  The Reading List Foundation exists to inspire people - including older graduates - to help fund a younger student’s First Year textbooks, providing practical, financial and emotional help.

“I was able to purchase medical books that I would otherwise not have afforded, which has served me well in assignments and exam preparations. Equally as important, I entered university with a positivity I may not have had.”

“I felt amazing! To think I'd been recognised academically and rewarded for my hard work was a great feeling. Having access to free books is incredible! It’s invaluable.”

Learn More

£125 Billion

Approximate value of tuition enjoyed for free by pre-tuition fee graduates in England

0.0007%

Proportion of this it would take to offer a scholarship in every Year 13 in England

Support a student’s future, today

We ask our donors to fund or co-fund £250 Scholarships for high-achieving students from lower-income households, to cover their Reading List in their first - and often second and third - year of university.  We encourage donors to make their contribution personal – for instance directing it to their old school or college.

Make a Donation

News

Want to know what our 2023 cohort of 267 students have gone on to study? You need look no further….

Welcome to our latest impact report, assessing the effect our Scholarships have on the students who receive them. We’re really pleased with the results and hope you will be too. With 300+ new Scholarships being awarded this summer, the next cohort of exceptional young people is already coming together…

We are delighted to have completed our second survey of Heads of Sixth Form and similar who are involved in our Scholarship programme. If you are interested in their perspective on the difference we make please download the report summary below (it’s 3 and a bit pages if you’re interested….):