At Southampton Solent University, we are commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and this includes our support for Students of Colour. Our commitment is demonstrated in:
- Our Access and Participation Plan - supporting access, success and progression for disadvantaged students and under-represented groups in higher education.
- Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan - supporting coherent direction for equality, diversity and inclusion activities.
The University also holds the Race Equality Charter (Bronze) award (a national award that aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education) and is a Civic University, supporting national and local initiatives including Black History Month and Southampton MELA. Other key activities at Solent include:
- A targeted widening participation programme, which includes specific activities and events for students of colour.
- Sense of belonging activities, which support students' transition to university through virtual and physical events (including specific content designed for students of colour).
- Our Students of Colour Scholarship, which provides students from specific ethnic backgrounds £1,000 each to use towards the cost of living at university.
- Support networks and Students' Union societies such the African Caribbean Society and the Islamic Society.
- Targeted support, including professional and peer mentoring, the Grit programme, work experience and entrepreneur support, in addition to access to our wide range of specialist support services (all students).
- An inclusive curriculum framework with an inclusive approach embedded at course design.
In addition to activities to support students of colour, the University is committed to tackling racism by working with key partners within the city to support affected communities. The University also has working partnerships with Unity 101 Community Radio, The United Voices of Africans Associations, Art Asia, and Abu Bakr Mosque. Further information about Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic-focussed organisations within Southampton can be found in our Southampton diversity guide.
* Southampton Solent University is committed to being at the forefront of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). We recognise there are a variety of terminologies used to discuss EDI and the acceptance and understanding of these terms can vary. To ensure we are using the most inclusive terminology and language possible, we are proactive in consulting with our Students' Union, staff diversity network, and wider community. Different terms may be used across our community, such as ‘students’ and ‘people of colour’, 'BAME', 'AMBO', 'BIPOC', ‘global majority’, 'racially minoritised', or 'ethnically diverse students or staff'. We are continually learning and striving to be inclusive of everyone.
