Answers to a non-mainstream question
By Christian Carungcong
If you are a prospective student who desires to study at a British university, one question that universities may struggle to answer – and that you may be asking yourself – is: how socially diverse and inclusive will the university that I am applying for be so that I can feel at home?
Sense of self and social signifiers
University often corresponds to the period in which individuals mature and have a clearer sense of self. However, a serious lack of diversity and inclusivity might lead to loneliness, an inability to relate to peers and – at worst – disenfranchisement.
When discussing diversity and inclusion, a variety of intersectional factors should be considered. These include gender, class, race, and other social signifiers such as where individuals come from. The UK, however, has made some great strides surrounding this topic.
Facts & statistics
As of the 30th of June 2020, the independent charity UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) affirms that “for the first time more than a quarter (25.4%) of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds had applied to university or college”. There are also more young female applicants to English universities than male applicants, with data showing that “young women are 36 per cent more likely to apply to degree courses than young men”. Meanwhile, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) participation at university has increased from “13 per cent to 20 per cent between 2002-3 and 2016-17”. Also, of the 2020-21 academic year, over 89,000 students were from outside of the EU, while 49,500 were EU students (a figure down by 2 per cent from the last academic year).
While these statistical developments do look rather impressive, it may not necessarily impact the way you may feel within your university community. Unsurprisingly, the easiest way to feel at home at university, no matter where in the world, is to be able to meet and interact with people who at least resemble a part of the culture you grew up in – hence the importance of widening and deepening diversity and inclusion at university.
Unsurprisingly, the easiest way to feel at home at university, no matter where in the world, is to be able to meet and interact with people who at least resemble a part of the culture you grew up in
Send me your location & student societies
Similarly, the location of your university is very important if you do want to feel at home whilst abroad. Unsurprisingly, more cosmopolitan cities such as London, Edinburgh, or Manchester, can give you a closer-to-home experience because of how international they already are.
However, if you aren’t going to one of the universities in these areas, then the best way to get in touch with other people like yourself is to join a society!
Most university student unions across the country can boast of a plethora of societies that cater to individual needs and desires. These range from international student groups, to performing arts societies celebrating international cultures.
Even if there are limited opportunities in your student union, you can still always bank on a group of students holding a wine and cheese night!
Unfortunately, this article does not cover the whole gamut of universities, and specifically the university you may want to study at. Despite this, I hope that I have at least given you a clearer idea of what it might be like to study in the UK as an international student from a more diverse background.
If you’d like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us, or one of our coaches at Dreamando!