From struggle to support: giving students a brighter winter

As winter settles over Dundee, the city takes on its glittering charm. Reflections of city lights dance along the Tay, cosy cafés lining the Perth Road bustle with joy and laughter. Though the air is brisk, this season is defined not by the cold, but by the warmth of connection, community, and small moments that make life meaningful. 

But beneath the festive cheer, many students face one of the loneliest and most stressful times of the year. December exams and major project deadlines loom. Students are working tirelessly, often late into the night. As the temperature drops and costs rise, practical and emotional challenges make focus and wellbeing a daily struggle.

You’ll remember the mix of excitement and uncertainty that comes with newfound independence. Many students are living away from home, often for the first time, juggling life and studies on their own. But rising energy bills, increasing food costs, and even the price of a safe bus ride after dark can make each day a challenge. Some are forced to make impossible choices: work extra hours and risk falling behind or go without essentials like heating or meals.  

Winter can also be especially hard for students without support. Whether they’re estranged from their families or far from home, they face weeks of long, dark, and often lonely evenings as their friends head home for the holidays. For the students left behind, this loneliness is a heavy, invisible burden that drains their focus, interrupts their sleep and makes even simple tasks feel impossible.

Could you truly thrive when feeling anxious, alone, and unsure of tomorrow? 

Every student deserves to thrive

No one should have to choose between staying warm and paying for essentials. And no student should feel utterly alone. Whether you once experienced the crisp winter days on campus yourself or you're a friend of the University who believes in helping students succeed, you can brighten a student’s winter.

The Student Experience Fund supports students year-round, but your help is needed more than ever. As increasing numbers of students turn to us for assistance, your gift will help to meet the growing demand.

Your gift will: 

1. Provide immediate financial support

Your donation helps students facing unexpected financial challenges, such as housing emergencies, broken IT equipment, or unforeseen travel costs. By easing these pressures, your gift enables students to stay focused on their studies and build the future they’ve worked so hard for.

2. Combat isolation and build connection

When the campus is quiet, loneliness can feel overwhelming. For students who can’t go home or don’t have a family home to go to, the University community becomes a lifeline. Your donation will help every student feel seen, supported, and connected

You make the Dundee community stronger

Every gift matters, no matter how large or small. And we know your support makes a difference. In 2024/25, thanks to people like you, the University awarded nearly £43,000 in donor-supported emergency funding alone. This crucial funding allowed 62 students to overcome urgent financial difficulties and keep up with their studies. 

Winter may bring long nights and heavy pressures, but together, we can make sure that the warmth of the University of Dundee community, wherever you are, reaches every student who needs your help this winter.