Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for Students

EDI stands for equity (or equality), diversity, and inclusion. These terms are related but have specific meanings. City St George’s definitions of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion are defined below.

Equality vs Equity

The terms equality and equity are related but have differences in meaning.

Equality means treating everyone the same and providing everyone with the same resources or opportunities, regardless of their individual needs or circumstances. The idea is that everyone gets an equal share of whatever is available, regardless of their starting point or needs.

Equity focuses on fairness and justice. It acknowledges that people have different needs, challenges, and starting points, and aims to distribute resources and opportunities to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to succeed.  The goal is to give people what they need to succeed, which may not necessarily mean giving everyone the same thing.

In practice, this could mean the difference between all students being given the same amount of time in an examination (equality) vs a student with a specific learning difference being offered extra time to support their specific needs (equity). At City St George’s, we strive for equity.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity: acknowledging the range of difference within our community between individuals, cultural, social and intellectual contributions and seek to utilise the talents and experiences that each once can bring to City St George’s.

Inclusion: City St George’s working with its staff and students to design and operate flexible services, practices and procedures that take appropriate account of the needs of staff, students and visitors enabling everyone to be themselves, express themselves and realise their full potential.

The University is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment where all students can thrive, succeed and feel a sense of belonging.

Our EDI priorities focus on:

• Closing awarding gaps, reducing difference in degree outcomes between student groups
• Inclusive education, embedding inclusive approaches in curriculum, teaching and assessment
• Access and participation, removing barriers to participation and progression for under-represented groups
• A safe and respectful community, promoting belonging and psychological safety and tackling bullying, harassment and misconduct
• Student voice and partnership, ensuring students’ experiences and perspectives help shape EDI activity.

These priorities form part of our EDI Action Plan, which supports delivery of the University's Vision and Strategy 2035.

As a public sector body in the United Kingdom, City St George’s must meet its legal obligations as set out in the Equality Act 2010. This means that the University must actively and consistently work to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation, and any other conduct that is prohibited under the Equality Act 2010
• Advance equality of opportunity
• Foster good relations between different groups.

This means actively introducing, maintaining and continually improving measures to provide equality of opportunity for all our students, staff, and visitors, and to prevent or resolve any forms of harassment, discrimination, victimisation, or other intolerance amongst our students and staff.

The Protected Characteristics identified in the Equality Act 2010 are as follows:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender Reassignment
• Marriage or Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy or Maternity
• Race
• Religion or Belief
• Sex
• Sexual Orientation.

If your experience at City St George’s does not align with our commitments to EDI, or if you have encountered any inappropriate behaviours such as including harassment, discrimination, victimisation, or other forms of intolerance, you can access support or submit a formal report to the University through one of the following options:

• Health and Wellbeing Support
• Bullying and Harassment Support
• Contact a Dignity and Respect Advisor
• Report a concern or incident.

City St George’s has a diverse student population of over 27,000 students from 160 countries. The University has a high proportion of students who are underrepresented in Higher Education in the UK. Here is an overview of students that form our community:

• Care leavers, estranged students, and young adult carers
• Commuters
• Disabled students
• International students
• LGBTQIA+
• Low socio-economic background
• Mature and part-time
• Refugee and asylum-seeking students
• Students of colour
• Student parents or guardians
• Students with a religion or belief.

For more information on our staff and student data, please explore the Equality data and objectives webpage.

More information on EDI data and reporting can be found in the links below:

• EDI Annual Report
• Public Sector Equality (PSED)
• Student Policies.

City St George's has an interim policy in place to specifically support transgender, intersex and gender non-conforming (TIGNC) members of our University community, and an LGBTQIA+ Community Inclusion Committee (LCIC) that regularly meets to discuss any challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community and updates to policy.

Background on the Policy

The Transgender, Intersex and Gender Non-Conforming People Policy (interim) affirms City St George's commitment to support students who identify as a part of the TIGNC community.  The policy maps out key principles for supporting TIGNC individuals (the introduction of gender-neutral language, avoiding misgendering, availability of facilities, etc.), and provides a named contact for TIGNC students and staff at City St George's.  It was first established in 2017.

Support for students in the TIGNC community

City St George's provides the following to try and support students who may be transitioning while studying at the University, or to support those who have a trans history, intersex identity or gender non-conforming identity:

An action plan between a relevant staff member and the student so that staff can be as useful as possible

Mx is available as a title on the Student Records system

Gender-neutral accessible toilets are currently available on all campuses. More details can be found on the Student Facilities page.

If you have any specific questions relating to the TIGNC People Policy or require any particular guidance on student support as a TIGNC individual, please contact Support@City (for Clerkenwell and Moorgate students), or email studentlifecentre@sgul.ac.uk (for Tooting students).

The Student EDI Training is an online course designed to help students understand equity, diversity and inclusion in a university setting and beyond. Developed by EDI specialists, informed by students lived experience and endorsed by the Students’ Union, the training provides a foundation for recognising and addressing bias, discrimination and exclusion, while supporting the development of a more inclusive campus culture.

By completing the training, you will:

• Build understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion, including identity, privilege and cultural awareness.
• Help students recognise and challenge bias, discrimination and exclusion
• Explain rights and responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and signpost to university policies
• Develop skills in inclusive communication, teamwork, leadership and bystander intervention
• Highlight support services, guidance and reporting options available at City St George’s
• Contribute to creating a respectful, inclusive and responsible campus community · Gain recognition towards the City St George’s Employability Award

The training is available through Moodle and Canvas and can be completed at your own pace. It takes approximately 60 minutes to complete and is divided into sections, allowing you to save your progress and return later.

Accessing the training

To access the training, select the link for your campus below, log into the relevant virtual learning environment and enter the enrolment key provided (please note that enrolment keys are character sensitive).

Please note: Undergraduate students years 1-3 at the Tooting campus will automatically be enrolled and do not need to use the enrolment key.

Studying at Clerkenwell or Moorgate and using Moodle

Enrolment key: EDI2025

Studying at Tooting and using Canvas

Completion of the training contributes towards the City St George’s Employability Award, helping you develop valuable skills that can be applied in academic, social and professional settings.

If any aspect of the training raises concerns or you would like additional support, Student Advisers are available through Support@City and the Student Support Hub.

City St George’s Students’ Union helps create a community where students feel included, delivers change to improve the everyday lives of students and provides high quality, accessible support.

The Students’ Union offers a variety of student societies you can join to meet new, likeminded people with similar interests, faiths, beliefs and political outlooks. Learn more about the Students’ Union and browse the list of societies below:

• City St George’s Students’ Union
• Societies.

Diversify Your Mind (DYM) is a student-led discussion programme that creates opportunities for open conversations about race, equity, belonging and social justice.

Through facilitated discussions, guest speakers and student-led perspectives, DYM encourages students to explore diverse viewpoints, engage with lived experiences and issues that shape our communities. Topics are inspired by current events, books, films, podcasts and real-world events.

Open to all students, DYM provides a welcoming space to develop confidence, critical thinking, communication skills and cultural awareness. Participation in DYM can contribute towards the City St George’s Employability Award and supports the development of key Graduate Attributes.

To join the mailing list and receive updates on upcoming discussions and speaker opportunities, please contact edi@citystgeorges.ac.uk