LGBTQ+
Taking pride in our diversity
Supporting who you are
Our LGBTQ+ community is a vital part of our diverse and inclusive community at University College Birmingham and is central to our identity.
Everyone should feel safe, respected and supported in being themselves, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, and we strive to provide an environment where LGBTQ+ students can thrive both academically and personally.
From joining seven other universities in supporting the city's Pride event and providing resources such as our gender expression fund to ensuring our LGBTQ+ student stories are celebrated, we have your back. Watch our UNIfied at Pride video and if you join us in September, get involved!
Helping you express yourself - in your own way
Our Gender Expression Item Fund is one way we support students who self-identify as trans, non-binary, intersex and/or gender-diverse.
Our Guild of Students will fund successful applicants up to £50 for items to support them in their gender expression. These could be, but are not limited to, binders, make-up, pieces of clothing or cosmetics. We also have free pronoun badges at the Guild reception in Moss House, helping you communicate how you identify to others.
500+
OF OUR STUDENTS IDENTIFY AS GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL OR OTHER (UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM ENROLMENT DATA 2025)
12%
OF OUR STAFF IDENTIFY AS GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL OR OTHER THAN HETEROSEXUAL (HR DATA 2025), 4 TIMES THE NATIONAL AVERAGE!
Our LGBTQ+ students
"When I began my journey at university, my concern was, would I be accepted? I was thrilled that all the staff and my lecturers accepted me, and I thank them for making me feel safe and welcome."
We have many hundreds of students in our LGBTQ+ community, including David Kelland, who studied a health and social care degree with us at undergraduate level and is now studying for an MSc Psychology (Conversion) at the University to become a qualified counsellor.
In his blog on celebrating Pride, he talks about his hopes, dreams and worries before starting university, the support he received during his studies, the friendships he made and how he found his community!
Other ways we support our LGBTQ+ community
- Dedicated staff who undergo enhanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training to ensure inclusive practice, sensitivity and understanding towards people from marginalised identities
- Events throughout the year that support the inclusion of LGBTQ+ students in our community, understanding the intersections of our students’ identity
- Liberation student groups through the Guild of Students and Pride group, which bring together LGBTQ+ students to make friends and enact change
- Small touches to make our buildings and communications more inclusive, including banners, posters and visibility of pronouns
"For me, this is a safe space to be proud of who you are and not feel like you have to be someone else, where you can be confident in being your authentic self and supporting others to feel this way. Our staff networks offer an opportunity for LGBTQ+ and allies to have a collective voice for the community and as a member of this community, I really feel you can flourish."
Some LGBTQ+ milestones
- We have reformed our student profile system to allow for preferred names to appear and students to volunteer their pronouns
- We host collaborative community events with other local student unions, putting on events such as a Trans Day of Visibility Clothing Swap with local trans and non-binary drag performers
- We host a queer prom for students across institutions to have a chance to celebrate in a safe and friendly environment
- Our Guild officers engaged with the National Union of Students to propose a policy around challenging transphobia in higher education and protecting trans and non-binary students on campus, successfully passed by NUS delegates at the 2023 NUS Liberation Conference
Study in a supportive environment
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Your support is our top priority and we're here to help you every step of the way, both inside and outside the classroom. We offer one-to-one support, from help with your studies to securing a work placement or employment opportunity.
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Your health and wellbeing
Our confidential Health and Wellbeing Service is open to everyone. We're here to offer help and support, from coping with the cost of living to taking care of your mental health.
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