SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

SDG 10 - Teaching

Education is a powerful tool for reducing inequality. At Ulster University, teaching equips students with the knowledge, critical thinking, and skills to promote social inclusion, equity, and access to opportunities in their communities and workplaces.

Undergraduate Courses

Postgraduate Courses

Scholarships

Ulster University is committed to building an inclusive academic community by reducing financial barriers and supporting students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

The All Ireland Scholarships Scheme provides full tuition fee scholarships to top-performing undergraduate students from low-income households across the island of Ireland.
The Asylum Seekers' Scholarship offers multiple undergraduate and postgraduate students registered as asylum seekers in Northern Ireland full tuition waivers, along with a £500 annual grant to help with travel and course-related expenses.
The Choice Scholarships support students who face significant barriers to accessing higher education by providing financial assistance during their studies.
The Inspire Scholarships aim to increase access for new undergraduate students from households with an income of £22,500 or less, or for those who are care experienced.
The Ireland Health Care Scholarship Program seeks to build a diverse 21st-century health workforce by supporting students from disadvantaged and non-traditional backgrounds.
The Liam Kelly Scholarship in Law is available to mature, part-time students from low-income backgrounds enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate Law courses.
The Medical Education Scholarships provide vital financial support to students on the Graduate Entry Medicine programme who face personal or financial challenges.

SDG 10 - Research

Research is key to understanding and addressing social and economic inequalities. At Ulster University, research explores areas such as social inclusion, equitable economic development, health disparities, and access to education, generating evidence that informs policy and practice for fairer societies.

Research Stories

View more SDG 10 Research on PURE

SDG 10 - Partnerships

Reducing inequalities requires strong partnerships across sectors and communities. At Ulster University, collaborations with government, civil society, and industry support inclusive policies, equitable opportunities, and social innovation that benefits all.

Partnership Stories

SDG 10 - Operations

Operational practices play a key role in promoting equity and inclusion. At Ulster University, our operations support fair employment practices, accessible services, and inclusive policies across the University, ensuring all staff, students, and stakeholders benefit from equitable opportunities and a supportive environment.

Widening Access and Participation Plan

Ulster University’s Widening Access and Participation Plan reaffirms its commitment to advancing social mobility and fostering educational inclusion. The plan sets out clear criteria to identify and support students from underrepresented backgrounds, including:

Individuals from low-income backgrounds
Care leavers
Asylum seekers
First-generation university entrants
Mature students
Disabled students
Individuals from areas with low higher education participation

In 2023/24, 37.9% of Ulster’s undergraduate population across Belfast, Coleraine, and Derry~Londonderry met at least one of these criteria. Building on this strong foundation, the University is enhancing its efforts through targeted outreach, collaborative partnerships, and expanded support initiatives planned for 2024/25.

Widening Access Support

Ulster University offers a range of financial support initiatives to help reduce barriers to higher education for students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds:

Access Bursary: Students from households with an annual income below £19,203 may be eligible for a bursary equivalent to 10% of their annual tuition fee, supporting them with costs related to their studies.
Care Leavers Bursary: This bursary is part of a broader package of financial and pastoral support available to students who have spent time in care, helping to ease their transition into university life.
Accommodation Voucher Scheme: Designed to encourage students from low-income households to access safe and affordable housing, this scheme allows eligible new students in receipt of the Access Bursary to convert it into a voucher towards the cost of university-approved, purpose-built student accommodation.
Fee waivers: Students may be eligible for tuition fee waivers if they meet any of the following criteria:
– Are aged 16-24 and are not currently in education, employment, or training
– Income below £16,190
– In receipt of Universal Credit, WTC, DLA, or Carer’s Allowance
– Are care experienced

Ulster University offers a wide range of non-financial support services to help student succeed and feel included, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Academic support includes Peer-Assisted Study Sessions (PASS), Studiosity peer mentoring, and study skills workshops. Social connection is fostered through student cafés, UUSU societies, and the #UBelong campaign. Wellbeing services provide confidential support, including tailored help for disabled, mature, care-experienced, and international students. Additional mentoring is available through the EDGE and research mentoring programmes. These initiatives promote academic success, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging across the student community.

Equality Policies

Ulster University maintains a comprehensive suite of equality policies and guidance documents that support our commitment to promoting equality of opportunity and ensuring compliance with statutory duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998). These include core policies including:

Equality Scheme
Equal Opportunities Policy
Equal Pay Policy
Bullying & Harassment (Dignity at Work) Policy
Transgender Staff and Student Policy (currently in review)
Physical Access and Egress for People with Disabilities Policy

Complementing this are practical guidance resources covering areas like disability disclosure, reasonable adjustments, captioning for recordings, pronoun usage, and content accessibility.

Race Equality Charter

Ulster University is a proud member of Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter, a UK-wide framework which aims to improve the representation, progression and success of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff and students and to tackle systemic barriers within higher education institutions.

In 2026, Ulster University was awarded the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award, recognising its commitment to tackling racial inequalities and fostering an inclusive environment for staff and students. The achievement followed a 22-month, institution-wide process involving over 1,400 staff and students, resulting in a five-year action plan focused on belonging, representation, and equity.

The award reflects the collective efforts of the University community to address barriers faced by racially minoritised groups and marks the next phase of work on inclusive teaching, learning, and amplifying minority ethnic voices across the University.

Diversity Mark

Ulster University was awarded the Bronze Diversity Mark accreditation in recognition of its commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. The accreditation reflects the University’s strategic focus on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), embedded across policies, practices, and initiatives to support staff and students from all backgrounds.

Key commitments include advancing gender equality through Athena Swan targets, addressing dignity and harassment, and implementing policies on period poverty, menopause, and domestic abuse. This achievement highlights Ulster’s dedication to fostering a welcoming, safe, and equitable environment, with plans to progress further in EDI through future Silver and Gold accreditations.

BAME+ Network

Ulster University’s Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME+) Network provides a supportive community for students and staff, promoting equity through mentoring, cultural events, wellbeing initiatives, and professional development. Collaborating with UUSU and through campaigns like the EDGE Ambassador programme, the network amplifies voices, strengthens allyship, and fosters an inclusive university experience that celebrates diversity and empowers underrepresented communities.

LGBT+ Staff Network

Ulster University supports LGBT+ staff through its LGBT+ Staff Network. Open to all LGBT+ individuals and allies, the network fosters equality and inclusion by organising social events, advising on policy development, and promoting a welcoming campus culture. Collaborating closely with student groups, it also helps coordinate Pride events and amplifies LGBT+ research initiatives through conferences and community engagement.

Staff disAbility Network

The Staff disAbility Network at Ulster University is a supportive space for staff with disabilities and allies. It offers a confidential forum to share experiences, influence policy, and promote inclusion across the University. As part of the wider Equality, Diversity and Inclusion framework, the network works alongside other staff groups to ensure disability voices are heard and represented.

NeuroNetwork

Ulster University’s NeuroNetwork is a dedicated staff and research student network focused on embedding neuro‑inclusive culture across our campuses. Open to all staff and PhD researchers, the Network aims to raise awareness, champion understanding, and run impactful initiatives to promote neurodiversity awareness. Operating under Ulster’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion framework, it offers safe spaces for discussion, consultative input on policies, and peer support.