Equality, diversity and inclusion

UCL’s Equal Opportunity Policy Statement states that we commit to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion:  

• In the recruitment, selection, education, and assessment of students  

• In the recruitment, selection, training, appraisal, development, and promotion of staff  

• In the way in which we welcome and treat all visitors to UCL, and the external partners with which we work. 

To do this, we commit to provide a learning, working, and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all are respected, and which is free from unlawful discrimination, prejudice, intimidation, and all forms of harassment including bullying. EDI training is mandatory for all staff at UCL.

EDI governance and strategy

As the senior academic champion for UCL’s equity and inclusion work, the Pro-Provost (Equity & Inclusion), in whose portfolio the EDI team sits, works closely with Chief People Officer to provide additional leadership for this high priority area, support for Vice-Deans (EDI) within academic faculties, and day-to-day academic direction for UCL’s programme of EDI activities. 

In consultation with our community, we have developed a new 5-year EDI strategy that seeks to embed EDI across the culture of UCL. The strategy provides clear direction, prioritisation and clear visibility of our ambitions for EDI at UCL. 

We also ensure we have diverse representation of staff and students across our governance and decision-making structure, such as diversity steering groups and Equality Diversity and Inclusion Committee. 

To support and inform our work, we regularly monitor EDI related data and evaluate our actions and progress. This is documented through publications such as our EDI Data Report and EDI Annual Review.  

Our annual Inclusion Awards recognise and celebrate good practice.

Support, information and networks for students and staff

Support and information around disability 

UCL students 

UCL’s Student Support and Wellbeing Services unit offers Support for disabled and neurodivergent students, including advisors and support around reasonable adjustments. UCL also offers suitable rooms to students with additional needs, such as those with physical or invisible disabilities, care-experienced students and estranged students. 

Students’ Union UCL Disabled Students Network works to promote the interests of disabled students including those with long term illness, neurodivergence and mental health issues. 

UCL staff 

Our Disability Equality resources for staff and managers include advice for supporting disabled and neurodivergent staff, reasonable adjustments, tips on creating accessible lectures and events, and Access to Work. Our Disability Equality Steering Group aims to raise awareness of, and represent, disabled staff at UCL at all levels, and are working on a Disability Equality Action Plan to launch in the Summer of 2025. 

The Enable@UCL staff network is open to all disabled staff and those with an interest in promoting disability equity. 

Inclusive environments and physical and digital accessibility 

Our Inclusive Environments policy and action plan were approved at the end of 2023. The initial five-year plan, aligned to UCL’s wider Estates Strategy, seeks: 

• to embed inclusive design in all building works, 

• to undertake a programme of works including automating heavy doors and improving the accessibility of toilets, 

• to provide updates and information about the improvements to all building users, 

• To set up clear processes for monitoring and reporting progress. 

See also: 

UCL Estates Strategy 2022-2027 

UCL Inclusive Environments Policy 

Accessibility at UCL: Physical and digital accessibility 

Students’ Union UCL activity around EDI 

A full list of the Union’s Officers and student representatives can be found on their website. 

Charters, awards and memberships 

UCL was one of the first universities to sign up to the Athena Swan Charter and currently holds an institutional Silver award. Over 50 UCL departments currently hold individual Athena Swan awards (including six gold awards). 

UCL is also the proud holder of a Silver Advance HE Race Equality Charter award. 

UCL has recently set up an Equality Monitoring and Advancement Group, chaired by our Pro-Provost (Equity & Inclusion), to monitor the actions from our Charter marks, as well as those from our LGBTQ+ Equality Action Plan and our Disability Equality Action Plan. 

UCL rejoined as a member of the Business Disability Forum in 2024 to demonstrate its commitment to disability equity and holds a University Mental Health Charter award. 

Access and Widening Participation 

UCL aims to ensure that all applicants have an equal chance of entering UCL, regardless of background, ethnicity, age or disability. Find out more about Widening Participation at UCL.