Students are considered mature if they are aged 21 or over on entry to their course. This language can often be confusing as it makes mature students sound like something unusual – trust us, they're not. Lots of people choose to come to or return to university throughout their lives and bring a bit of life experience to the classroom.

Whether you are or unsure if you have a disability, keep it private, or open about your disability, you may be able to get support and adjustments. A disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. A mental health condition is considered a disability if it has a long-term effect on your normal day-to-day activity (Equality Act 2010).

Different types of disabilities include: Physical, Non-Visible (e.g sensory, health conditions), Neurodivergent (e.g ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia) and Mental Health.

If you think a disability or health condition is affecting your studies, please get in touch with the Student Inclusion Team to see what support is available. A Support Summary could outline recommendations for accommodations, such as extra time for exams or assignments. Find out more on disability support

‘Sex' and 'gender' are often used interchangeably, despite having different meanings:

Sex refers to a set of biological attributes in humans and animals. It is primarily associated with physical and physiological features including chromosomes, gene expression, hormone levels and function, and reproductive/sexual anatomy.

Sex is usually categorised as female or male but there is variation in the biological attributes that comprise sex and how those attributes are expressed. For example, someone who is intersex is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit the societal assumptions about what constitutes male or female.

Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people.

Gender identity is not confined to a binary (girl/woman, boy/man) and refers to a personal perception of gender that can change over time. Someone whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth may identify as Transgender.

Helpful websites

• People and places - Sex, gender and gender identity
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research - What is gender and sex?

Students with caring responsibilities are those who balance their studies while caring for another person. Caring responsibilities in this context is inclusive of pregnancy, maternity and caring for dependants.

This is inclusive of family members, partners, or friends due to illness, disability, mental health issues, or other needs.

*Parental or care responsibilities aren’t defined as protected characteristics, but support is available for students depending on your situation.

For tailored support, ask to be reffered to the Money and Childcare Advice Team through your Faculty Student Centre

Race is often defined through physical traits inherited from your parents. Ethnicity is your cultural identity, chosen or learned from your culture and family.

Historical Context: The concept of race emerged alongside colonialism and slavery, being used to justify discrimination and oppression. These social constructions have had a lasting impact on society, shaping hierarchies, laws, and cultural norms.

Religion or belief is what we believe in, the morals we live by, and the activities connected to those beliefs, such as praying or worshipping. It could involve faith in a god, gods, spiritual practices, or a personal philosophy about life.

Some people follow organised religions like Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, or Sikhism. Others might follow indigenous spiritual traditions, or have their own beliefs that aren’t tied to a specific religion, such as ethical living or humanism.

The Faith and Spirituality Team at BCU is made up of volunteers who offer advice, guidance and support to all students irrespective of faith or religion. Find the current Chaplians, part of the BCU Faith and Spirituality team

Sexual orientation is who you're attracted to and who you have romantic or sexual feelings towards. Whether it’s people of the same sex, opposite sex, both or neither. Someone can also be protected from discrimination if they are treated unfairly because of their association with someone who is gay, lesbian, or bisexual.