Universities With The Best LGBTQ+ Support

Anna Varela·20 November 2024·3 min read
Universities With The Best LGBTQ+ Support

Picking a university is tough enough without worrying if you’ll fit in. For LGBTQ+ students, it's not just about the course – it’s about finding a place where you can be yourself. 

What Makes a Uni LGBTQ+ Friendly?

When we talk about LGBTQ+ friendly unis, we mean places that:

  1. Have LGBTQ+ student groups
  2. Don’t tolerate any anti-LGBTQ+ speech
  3. Offer specific support for LGBTQ+ students
  4. Throw LGBTQ+ events
  5. Train their staff on LGBTQ+ issues
  6. Have gender-neutral loos
  7. Teach LGBTQ+ topics in classes

Below are some universities with the best LGBTQ+ support:

Cardiff University

Cardiff University stands out as one of the top LGBTQ+-friendly universities in the UK. They offer:

A dedicated student centre for LGBTQ+ concerns

CU Pride (LGBT+ Society) organizing various social events

The Enfys network for staff and postgraduate students

University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham demonstrates its commitment to LGBTQ+ students by:

Including sexual and gender studies in its curriculum

Organizing year-round events to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion

Swansea University

Swansea University shows its support through:

Annual LGBT History Month celebrations

Various events like LGBT Storytelling Evenings and Film Screenings

An active LGBT+ Staff Network

University of Bournemouth

Bournemouth University embraces equality in education by:

Having an active student union that organizes LGBTQ+ events

Running campaigns to raise awareness and create socializing opportunities

University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool supports its LGBTQ+ community with:

The Liverpool LGBT+ group for students

An LGBT+ Staff Network

Regular social events and activities

University of Glasgow

Glasgow University offers support through:

An LGBT+ Network established in 2007

Regular social events and discussion spaces

A clear mission to provide a discrimination-free environment

Other notable LGBTQ+-friendly universities include:

University of Manchester

University of Sheffield

University of Essex

Edinburgh University

University of Plymouth

Choosing a university is a big deal. You want somewhere that’ll help you grow, not hold you back. So make sure to:

  • Scope out university websites for their equality policies
  • Message LGBTQ+ societies on their social pages
  • If you can, visit the campus and trust your gut

Don't forget to look out for scholarships and support programs as some unis offer these.

Good luck finding your uni home! Here's to three (or more) years of student life!