We’re here, we’re queer, and we’re growing in number!

New figures from the Office for Students (OfS) paint a clear picture of a changing student population across England—and it’s one worth celebrating.

In 2023–24, around 130,000 full-time undergraduate students identified as LGB at English universities. That’s 11 per cent of the total student cohort, up from 8 per cent in 2020–21. In just a few short years, the visible presence of LGB students on campus has grown significantly, reflecting wider social change and a generation that feels increasingly confident being their authentic selves.

Interestingly, LGB students are now slightly over-represented in higher education compared with the general population. Among 16- to 24-year-olds with level 3 qualifications, 9 per cent identify as LGB. One reason for this difference is that universities—and cities—with reputations for being welcoming and inclusive tend to attract more LGBTQ+ students.

You can see this clearly in the variation between institutions. Norwich University of the Arts and Arts University Bournemouth both report 29 per cent of students registered as LGBTQ+, while the University of Bradford and Aston University report just 3 per cent. These differences aren’t accidental; they reflect culture, visibility, and how safe and supported students feel before they even arrive.

Here at the University of Bath, we sit slightly above the national average at 14 per cent. That’s something to be proud of—but also something to take seriously. These figures matter. They help us understand who our students are and remind us why it’s so important to keep investing in inclusive services, meaningful events, and a campus culture where LGBTQ+ students feel seen, supported, and able to thrive.

The numbers tell a powerful story. Our job now is to make sure our university continues to be a place where that story keeps moving forward.