Diversity and inclusion - University of Staffordshire

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Diversity and inclusion

University of Staffordshire actively seeks to create and maintain a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion. We believe in providing everyone with an opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Regardless of your personal circumstances or personal characteristics, you will part of an inclusive and supported community. To ensure we offer the best possible support to students, we have a dedicated Student Inclusion Team who are committed to supporting specific groups of students, this includes students who have disabilities or additional needs, care experienced and estranged students, mature students, LGBTQ+ students, student parents, and students from underrepresented groups.

Gender equality
Race and ethnicity
Disability
Mature students

Faith and religious groups
LGBTQ+ students
Careleavers and estranged students
Students with children or dependents

Gender equality

A diverse group of students casually dressed are chatting whilst walking outside the Catalyst building

We welcome, support and aim to represent people across any gender identity. We provide services, initiatives and spaces for people of all identities across the university, including but not limited to: having gender-neutral facilities alongside our gendered bathrooms; holding female-only sports events; supporting you through parental leave; and reducing the stigma around male mental health issues. The Students' Union is home to the Women's Network and LGBTQ+ Network, which help the voices of underrepresented groups be heard on campus.

Race and ethnicity

Our campuses are home to a wide variety of different cultures and languages. We have students from many different races and ethnicities studying with us across our campuses, including a thriving international student community.

University of Staffordshire has been successful in gaining a Bronze University Award under the Higher Education Race Equality Charter - one of only 14 universities to do so. A Bronze Award recognises that the University has a solid foundation for eliminating racial inequalities and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff and students.

The Students' Union Race and Cultural Inclusion Network campaigns for and supports students of all races at the University. Throughout the year, we hold events for Black History Month, Stephen Lawrence Day and many more where staff and students are invited to engage in a range of different events.

Kiran on Race

Hear from Acting for Stage and Screen, Kiran, about Race.

Mario on Romani Culture

Video

Law student, Mario, joins us on the Student Connect podcast to talk about Romani culture.

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Sanjay on Culture

Hear from Computer Science student, Sanjay, on Culture.

Nokwanda on Black British Culture

Video

Nokwanda joins us on the Student Connect podcast to discuss Black British culture.

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Disability

University of Staffordshire is committed to creating an exclusive and accessible for all staff, students and visitors to our campus. All of our buildings are accessible, and we have a range of guides available via AccessAble where you can find out more about access to our teaching spaces, venues and accommodation. If you are staying in student accommodation, we have rooms that are specially adapted to fit different needs and requirements.

We also support the Sunflower Lanyard scheme for those with invisible disabilities, and these can be collected from various locations around campus. Any member of our University community with an invisible disability can get a lanyard. There is no qualifying list of disabilities as the lanyard only signifies that the wearer has an invisible disability and may need assistance.

For our autistic students, we hold an Austism Transition event in the summer to help make the move to university as stress-free as possible.

The Disabled Students' Network in the Students' Union represents the disabled community across the University. For more information about the wellbeing support we offer to disabled students, please visit our health and wellbeing pages.

Abi on Faith and Disability

Hear from Nursing Practice (Child) student, Abi, on Faith and Disability.

Mature students

A young female and mature male student are chatting whilst walking in a modern open space

Nearly half our students are aged over 21 and we value our mature students for the enthusiasm and experience they bring. Nevertheless, we recognise that you may face different pressures to other students.

Some mature students may be concerned about the academic demands of a degree course, which is where the Step Up to Higher Education course can help. Many of our students have different financial and family circumstances and juggle work, childcare, and family commitments. We understand this and your tutors, money and guidance advisors and Students' Union will do all they can to support you, wherever you need it.

Learn about Step Up to Higher Education

Faith and religious groups

Everyone at University of Staffordshire has the right to explore or practice their faith in a safe, welcoming environment. The Chaplaincy offers a range of services and events for students from all religious backgrounds, including pastoral care with our volunteer faith advisors, and assistance with finding places of worship around campus.

Our Stafford and Stoke campuses, we have dedicated spaces for peace and quiet and prayer. Both spaces have access for washing and are suitable for all traditions. We also have access to meeting rooms for devotional study and the celebration of festivals.

The campus is very welcoming and open to all cultures and backgrounds. I’ve never felt unsafe or not been able to express how I feel.

Sanjay

Computer Science student

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LGBTQ+ students

We are immensely proud of our diverse campus at University of Staffordshire, and are committed to the wellbeing of students from the LGBT+ community. The University is a Stonewall Champion and took part in their Equality Index for the first time in 2014, and have been dedicated to getting involved each year since.

Our dedicated LGBTQ+ Network provides support for all LGBT+ students. If you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, part of the +, or if you are experiencing doubts or challenges regarding your orientation and or gender identity, you can speak to someone in the LGBT+ Network. The LGBT+ Network also run regular socials every week and organise events throughout the year including celebrating LGBT+ History Month and Pride events.

The LGBT+ Network has been instrumental in creating positive change across the university, including a Transgender and Non-Binary policy on name change with Student Cards no longer requiring a deed poll, the provision of gender neutral toilets, and our continued involvement with the Rainbow Laces campaign (in association with Stonewall) which aims to tackle homophobia and biphobia in sports.

I chose University of Staffordshire as I felt that I would be represented and confident in who I am.

Yumi

Computer Science student Yumi, on being LGBTQ+

Yumi on LGBTQ+

Hear from Computer Science student, Yumi, on being in the LGBTQ+ community.

Care leavers and estranged students

We are committed to supporting students who come from a care background and students without the support of a family network. We have signed up to the Stand Alone Pledge, to publicly declare our support for estranged students.

If you're estranged or a care leaver and you're considering coming to University of Staffordshire, we'll provide you with a package of support that'll help you throughout your studies. Commencing a course at University is an exciting experience, but can also be a time of anxiety and confusion. We can offer ongoing support and impartial advice, and can signpost you to other University and external support services in order to meet your needs during this time.

We can guide you through the UCAS application process and know exactly who to contact at the University if you need advice on finance, accommodation, learning or disability support. With your consent, we can also work alongside your Leaving Care Team to introduce you to University life and what to expect during those first few weeks on campus.

University of Staffordshire will know that you are a care leaver if you have ticked the box on the UCAS form to disclose that you have been in care. If you are an estranged student, you will need to show the University your confirmation from student finance that you are estranged, alternatively you can set up a “consent to share” with student finance so that a member of staff can call student finance to confirm your estrangement.

You can be confident that you will be treated as an individual and empowered to participate fully and successfully within University life.

Students with children or dependents

We know that many of our students may already have children, will start a family while studying with us, or have caring commitments for other family members. We have a range of resources and facilities available to help to guide you through your academic journey. For example, due to your caring commitments, you may need to find employment alongside your studies. Our Careers and Personal Development team can help you to get work experience and temporary jobs from our recruitment and employment agency, Unitemps.

The University have an on OFSTED rated Outstanding Nursery on our Stoke on Trent Campus that caters for children from birth to five years. There are a range of sessions available to work around your study and work needs and the nursery are happy to give you plenty of time to talk through your options so that you can make an informed decision on the care of your child.

The Parent & Carer Network is for any student parent or carer who is studying here at University of Staffordshire, giving you the chance to meet up with fellow students in one of the Students' Union venues.