While most students view their campuses as inclusive, new data reveals a significant gap in LGBTQ+ friendliness across UK universities, with some elite institutions receiving surprisingly low scores.
Our survey of 2,000 UK university students shows that most campuses are perceived as welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, but a significant minority of students report a negative or unwelcoming environment.
Students generally perceive their universities as LGBTQ+ friendly, though experiences vary considerably. On a scale of 0-10, the most common rating was 10 (20% of students), followed by 7 (17%) and 8 (15%). Overall, 60% of students rated their university 7 or higher, suggesting a generally inclusive environment.
However, a notable minority experience less welcoming campuses. 13% of students rated their university 3 or lower, with 5% giving the lowest possible score of 0. Female students tend to rate their universities as more LGBTQ+ friendly, with 23% giving a score of 10 compared to 14% of male students. The middle rating of 5 was chosen by 14% of students, indicating neutrality or mixed experiences.
The national average score of 6.7 out of 10 masks a wide gulf in student experiences, with some universities emerging as clear leaders in inclusivity while others have significant room for improvement.
University of Brighton takes the top spot as the UK’s most LGBTQ+ friendly university, with an impressive average score of 8.7 out of 10. This suggests a campus culture where LGBTQ+ students feel exceptionally safe, supported, and celebrated.
Other universities leading the way include University of Derby (8.0), University of Nottingham (7.8), and University of South Wales (7.7). These institutions significantly outperform the national average, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.
At the other end of the spectrum, University of Dundee received the lowest score in the UK at just 5.2 out of 10. This is closely followed by University of Portsmouth (5.5), University of Bradford (5.5), and the prestigious University of Cambridge (5.6).
These scores, while not overtly hostile, are well below the national average and suggest that LGBTQ+ students at these institutions may face more challenges, feel less supported, or experience a less welcoming social environment.
One of the most striking findings is the relatively poor performance of some of the UK’s most elite universities. While institutions like the University of Nottingham (7.8) and King’s College London (7.4) score well, many others fall short:
This creates a paradox with two possible interpretations:
Interpretation 1: These universities are genuinely less inclusive. It could be that older, more traditional institutions have been slower to adapt their cultures, support systems, and policies. The weight of tradition and established hierarchies – the “Ivory Tower” effect – may create a less welcoming atmosphere for LGBTQ+ students compared to more modern universities.
Interpretation 2: Their students are more critical. It is also highly plausible that students at these elite universities are more politically engaged, have higher expectations for what constitutes true inclusivity, and are therefore more critical in their assessments. Students from progressive backgrounds may hold their institutions to a higher standard, and are more likely to penalise them for microaggressions or institutional shortcomings that might be overlooked elsewhere. A score of 6/10 from a Cambridge student might reflect a higher baseline expectation for inclusivity than a score of 8/10 from a student at another university.
Ultimately, the truth likely lies somewhere in between. These scores don’t necessarily mean Oxbridge is a hostile environment, but they do indicate a gap between the lived experience of their LGBTQ+ students and the standards those students rightly expect.
The wide variation in scores points to several key factors that shape the LGBTQ+ student experience:
This analysis is based on survey responses from 2,000 UK university students aged 18-24, collected in October 2025, in partnership with Pollfish. The survey was analysed by Erobella’s Data & Research team, led by Brenda Jensen.
Students were asked to rate how LGBTQ+ friendly their university is on a scale of 0-10. It is important to note that these scores reflect students’ subjective perceptions and expectations, which may vary between institutions. The data was disaggregated by university to reveal institutional patterns. The final analysis includes 79 universities where sufficient sample sizes were available.
