New figures from the Office for Students (OfS) show that Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) has the highest percentage of students identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual (as defined and categorised by OfS).
The new information shows that about 130,000 full-time undergraduate students identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual at English universities during the 2023–24 academic year.
Now accounting for 11% of the total student cohort, these figures are up from the 8% reported in 2020–21, with all members of Universities UK seeing an increase in "LGB students" between 2020–21 and 2023–24.
AUB has the highest percentage with 29% of its students identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual.
Aditi Chotra, President at the AUB Students' Union (AUBSU), who identifies as a bisexual woman, says, "AUB genuinely feels like a diverse and vibrant community, with a wide range of events, networks and spaces that help students feel a sense of belonging.
“There’s a strong culture of openness and mutual respect here – students are engaged and vocal in raising issues when something doesn’t feel right, which I think is a real strength of the University.
“We have a very supportive community in place. The LGBTQ+ Network puts on lots of great events throughout the year, particularly in February for LGBTQ+ History Month and June for Pride Month.
“The LGBTQ+ Network and, by extension, AUB as a whole, not only provides a space for diverse sexual identity, but also diverse gender identity."
The most recent Student Perception Survey confirmed that 93% of students who identified as gay or lesbian were satisfied with their experience at AUB overall.
The same was said by 77% of students identifying as bisexual, and 81% of those who identified as ‘Other’. 73% of students identifying as trans confirmed overall satisfaction with their AUB experience, as did 86% of students who identify ‘In Another Way’.
LGBTQ+ support is also in place for staff at AUB, as Aditi explains:
“Further education and understanding of differing gender identities is an area that AUB is committed to. We’ve recently rolled out a suite of staff EDI training, including ‘An Introduction to Gender Identity’, and further ‘Trans Awareness’ training is also available.”
“AUB is a vibrant and inclusive community which celebrates diverse talent and thought while supporting people to be their authentic selves. The university is committed to providing an environment where everyone feels included, no matter their background or the way they choose to identify.”
