Huddersfield is 2nd in the world and 1st in the UK for Reduced Inequalities
The University of Huddersfield is ranked 2nd highest in the world for Reduced Inequalities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for 2024. This ranking reflects the University’s work to widening opportunities for students from all backgrounds, both within the UK and around the world.
The annual THE Impact Rankings identify and celebrate universities that demonstrate commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. Huddersfield is 2nd in the world and 1st in the UK for SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities.
What is SDG 10?
Institutions that place highly in SDG 10 demonstrate a commitment to ensuring equal opportunity and inclusion as a priority both within and across borders. Their environments support diverse student populations including first-in-family students and international students from developing countries, as well as individuals with disabilities.
SDG 10 evaluates the performance institutions in the following areas:
- Research on reduced inequalities
- Number of first-in-family students
- Number of international students from developing countries
- Number of students and staff with disabilities
- Measures against discrimination to ensure a safe and inclusive environment
How Have We Achieved This Placing?
Our submission achieved maximum scores in the following areas:
- Having an admissions policy in place which is non-discriminatory
- Taking planned actions to recruit students and staff from underrepresented groups
- Having anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies in place
- Providing support to students and staff from underrepresented groups
- Providing support services for people with disabilities
- Providing accessible facilities for people with disabilities
Factors contributing to these maximum scores include our Headstart scheme, designed to provide fairer access to groups currently facing barriers to Higher Education by giving participants the opportunity to gain an extra 8 UCAS points. Our demonstrable commitment to various Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives – including winning a Stonewall LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer Gold Award – was a strong element of our submission. In addition, the clear means through which students can access additional support where needed due to a disability and our extensive accessibility provisions on campus were also contributing factors.