A new index from Erobella asked 2,000 UK students to rate how LGBTQ+-friendly their universities feel. The national average landed at 6.7/10, showing that while many campuses are doing well, the student experience varies widely.
Brighton leads the pack with an impressive 8.7/10, followed by Derby (8.0) and Nottingham (7.8). At the lower end, Dundee scored 5.2, with Portsmouth and Bradford close behind at 5.5. Even prestigious institutions like Cambridge landed below average at 5.6.
The study suggests these differences come from campus culture, visible support systems, and how seriously each institution prioritizes LGBTQ+ inclusion. Cities with strong queer communities, like Brighton, tend to lift campus vibes as well.
For prospective students, the index is a reminder that a university’s reputation doesn’t always match its on-the-ground inclusivity. Sometimes the best way to know if a campus feels welcoming is to hear directly from the people living it.
For more info visit: https://erobella.com/lust/en/lgbtq-friendly-university-index-uk/
While the Erobella index doesn’t break out trans-specific results, a separate study from the Higher Education Policy Institute shows that trans and non-binary students face significantly different challenges in UK higher education. They’re more likely to enter university with lower grades, higher rates of disability, and more complicated life circumstances. Once enrolled, they report much higher levels of loneliness, financial strain, and a stronger urge to drop out compared to their cis peers. The same study found that even after graduation, trans and non-binary students face employment and salary gaps, earning around £2,000 less on average and being less likely to secure managerial or professional roles.
(HEPI, “Trans and non-binary student experiences in higher education,” 2024)
The post Where UK Students Feel Most Supported: LGBTQ+-Friendly Universities, According to a New Survey appeared first on ROCK THE PIGEON.