Religion and Belief Equality Policy for Students
This policy provides guidance to students, and those staff responsible for aspects of their
education and welfare, on how the needs of students, with respect to religion and belief
are to be met. The policy does not intend to be comprehensive; rather it addresses some
important issues that may arise in this context.
UCL recognises that the spiritual and moral systems that religions and beliefs offer can
often be of fundamental importance to the wellbeing of students. UCL also recognises that
religious rituals, such as dress, diet and prayer, can be an integral part of religious life. It is
important that, where reasonably practicable, the needs of students from all religious
backgrounds, and also of students with no religious affiliation, are met. It is also important
to be clear when the needs of religious students may impinge upon the needs and
freedoms of others, and therefore cannot be accommodated.
UCL History and Ethos
UCL is a secular higher education institution that prides itself on its long-standing
commitment to equalities and diversity. UCL’s commitment to religious equality in
particular is integral to its identity and heritage.
Before UCL’s inception in 1826, the benefits of a university education in England were
restricted to males who were members of the Church of England. UCL was founded, in
part, to challenge that discrimination and so became the first university in England that
provided a progressive alternative to the social exclusivity and religious restrictions of its
predecessors, Oxford and Cambridge.
UCL does not have any religious affiliation or endorse any particular denomination or faith.
The secular values that UCL upholds are as relevant today as they were at its inception.
UCL is committed to providing an inclusive learning and working environment where
students and staff of all religions, and none, can thrive. UCL is a global University. It has a
rich mix of students from a wide variety of cultural and religious backgrounds. It is this
diversity and complexity that contributes to UCL being a world-class institution.
Policy Framework
This policy covers any religion, religious belief or similar philosophical belief, but does not
ordinarily cover political belief.
There is no exhaustive definition of these beliefs, but in a recent legal case it was
determined that in order to be protected by law a belief must be “cogent, serious and
worthy of respect in a democratic society"1.
The legal instruments that relate to religion and belief equality for students are:
o The Equality Act 2010
o The Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006
o The Human Rights Act 1998.
This policy follows and reinforces the religious equality provisions in UCL’s Equal
Opportunities Policy, Religion and Beliefs Guidance, the Student Code of Conduct and
Harassment and Bullying policies.
Academic Freedom and Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion
UCL is an academic institution that places high value on open and reasoned debate. The
university recognises the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. These
rights are absolute but manifestations of these beliefs are not. The right to manifest a
belief may be qualified by the need to show respect for the differing worldviews, lifestyles
and identities of others. The university has an over-arching responsibility to promote
pluralism and tolerance and will seek to intervene in instances where manifestations of a
belief constitute harassment or create conflict that goes beyond open and reasoned
debate.
Religious belief will not be used to justify discriminatory behaviour. Instances of this nature
will be dealt with under the Disciplinary Code and Procedure in Respect of Students.
Guest speakers can be invited to speak on campus within the framework set out in the
university’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech 2 and where relevant should be made
aware of the provisions of this policy.
Religious Dress
UCL welcomes the diversity of different attire worn by its students. In particular situations
some students will not be able to wear certain religious dress due to health and safety
considerations and/or to the need for communication between individuals. This may
especially apply, for example, in medical and laboratory-based disciplines. In order to
comply with health and safety regulations, specific items of clothing such as overalls,
protective clothing etc may also need to be worn. The need to comply with health and
safety will be given priority over the need for religious expression. Every effort will be
made to reach a mutually acceptable solution. Individual cases can be referred to UCL’s
Head of Equalities and Diversity for guidance.
When students are working directly with the wider public, UCL considers that it is not
appropriate in most situations to wear clothing that obscures the face, as this can impede
communication. Student ID cards must have photographs which are compliant with the UK
passport standards. Security and examination requirements mean that students may have
to be authenticated against their ID cards. If headwear obstructs the face, the temporary
1
Nicholson v. Grainger PLC -2009 Employment Tribunal ruling on the Employment Equality (Religion or
Belief) Regulations
2 The Code can be found at
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/staff/resources/documents/Freedom_of_Speech_Code_of_Practice_Rev_Sep_2010.pdf
removal of such items may be necessary. This will be done in an appropriate location by a
staff member of the same sex.
Recruitment and Selection
Students’ religious affiliation is not monitored at the admissions stage or at any other
stage of the student life cycle. As UCL does not currently monitor religious affiliation, we
have no data to indicate whether there are any differences in the likelihood in securing a
place at UCL or in educational outcomes.
Religious discrimination in the recruitment and selection of students will not be tolerated
and any allegations of this nature will be fully investigated.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Enrolment: UCL will endeavour to organise enrolment days and times that do not clash
with major religious festivals. Where a clash is unavoidable, alternative days for enrolment
will be provided if possible.
Timetabling: UCL has a common timetable which has been designed to ensure that
teaching and learning requirements are delivered efficiently and effectively within the
available time and space. For these reasons, the timetable cannot accommodate the
diversity of religious observance requirements on campus. The normal teaching day runs
from 9 am to 6 pm from Monday to Friday. The University understands that there may be
certain occasions when a student may be absent due to religious observance. It is
expected that this will not be a common occurrence, however, and students should be
aware that requests to miss a compulsory class, practical or tutorial can be refused by
staff.
Field classes: Certain programmes may schedule field classes on weekends, during
vacation periods and public holidays. Students requiring leave of absence from these
activities on religious grounds should discuss this and request permission from both their
programme tutor and the appropriate course organiser.
Assessment deadlines: Assessment deadlines are given in advance to students. Students
who are observing religious festivals around the time of the deadline will need to plan their
work so that it is completed in good time.
Examination schedules: As far as is practicable, examinations will be scheduled to avoid
religious festivals where work is prohibited. Examination dates will be given in advance. If
an examination clashes with a religious festival that a student observes, every reasonable
effort will be made to find alternative arrangements. The onus is on the student to speak
with their personal or programme tutor about this issue at the earliest opportunity.
Extenuating circumstances: UCL will not accept religious observance, e.g. fasting, as a
valid extenuating circumstance.
Extended Leave for Religious Festivals
UCL will not normally allow students to take extended leave for religious events. However,
students can make a formal request to their tutor within a reasonable timeframe providing
justification for their request. Consideration will be on a case-by-case basis.
Work Placements
When students are on work placement, they are expected to adhere to the policies and
practices of their host organisation. The onus is on the student to research these practices
and facilities in advance before agreeing to a work placement programme.
Facilities and services
Contemplation facilities: The Contemplation Room is a space on UCL’s main campus
where students can pray or engage in quiet reflection or meditation.
Food and drink: UCL and UCLU have outlets which sell a variety of food options. Most of
these outlets have vegetarian and vegan options and some stock kosher and halal foods.
Events organised by UCL will have vegetarian options when food is provided. Some UCL
events serve alcohol but there will always be non-alcoholic drinks provided.
Rental of meeting rooms for religious purposes: UCL rooms may not be used for religious
observance. Certain rooms and space booked through UCLU may be used for religious
observance.
Harassment
Harassment and discrimination of students on the grounds of religion, belief or non-belief
will not be tolerated and will be dealt with under UCL policy as a disciplinary matter.
Harassment is defined in law as “unwanted conduct …which has the purpose or effect of
either violating the claimant's dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading,
humiliating or offensive environment for them”.
Harassment on the grounds of religion or belief can occur for a variety of reasons, for
example:
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On the grounds of a person’s belief or non-belief;
On the grounds of the belief or non-belief of someone with whom they associate;
To join or leave a particular faith;
To express or not express their faith;
Because they have changed or renounced their religious/belief allegiance.
For more information about harassment and bullying consult the separate policy for
students http://www.ucl.ac.uk/academic-manual/part-5/harassment-bullying
Pastoral support for religious students
Chaplaincy: Contact details for UCL Chaplains and faith advisors are published at
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dean-of-students/office
Religious societies: A complete list of all UCL’s student societies (including religious
societies) can be found on the UCLU website http://www.uclunion.org/clubs-societies/az.php
Implementation
Responsibilities: This policy applies to all UCL students and responsibility for its
implementation is held with staff, contractors e.g. security staff, service providers and any
other individual associated with the functions of the University.
Deans of Faculty, Heads of Departments and Heads of Service have a responsibility to
raise the profile of the policy and to ensure that all their staff or students are aware its
contents and requirements. Guidance is available from UCL’s Race, Religion and Belief
Equality Champion who takes responsibility for ensuring that issues relating to equality,
broadly construed, are appropriately represented in UCL's decision making processes.
Complaints: Any complaints of discrimination, based on the provisions outlined in this
policy, should be made in the first instance to the Head of Equalities and Diversity.
Communication: The policy will be notified and made accessible to all students and
relevant staff. It will form part of the Academic Manual and will be available on the UCL
website.
Monitoring, evaluation and review: The policy will be reviewed at least every three years
by the Committee for Equal Opportunities. The Education Committee will also take
responsibility for the monitoring of the policy, via the Faculty Teaching Committees.
Scope of the policy: The policy does not give an exhaustive list of religion and belief
equality issues. If further guidance is needed, contact the Head of Equalities and Diversity.
Useful Contacts
Dr Ruth Siddall
Deans of Students – welfare
dean.of.students@ucl.ac.uk (welfare)
Sabbatical Officer – welfare
w.officer@ucl.ac.uk
Sarah Guise
Head of Equalities and Diversity
s.guise@ucl.ac.uk
Professor Anthony Finkelstein
Senior Race, Religion and Belief Champion
a.finkelstein@ucl.ac.uk
Chaplains
Anglican Chaplain to UCL:
The Reverend Jenny Welsh
j.welsh@ucl.ac.uk or 07531 320333
(After April 2013, the Chaplain's post will be vacant. For pastoral support, after that time,
please contact: The Senior Anglican Chaplain, The Rev'd Stephen Williams,
chaplaincy@lon.ac.uk or 020 7580 9812)
The Reverend Pippa Turner
Chaplain to UCL Medical School
philippa.turner@medsch.ucl.ac.uk – for pastoral support to students of all faiths and none
at the Medical School
Yusuf Kaplan
Multifaith Chaplain
nicholas.kaplan@ucl.ac.uk
07585 665858
University of London Chaplaincy network
http://www.lon.ac.uk/chaplaincy.html
Further information
UCL’s religion and belief equality webpages
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/equalities/belief/index.php
Equality Challenge Unit Guidance
http://www.ecu.ac.uk/publications/?browse=subject&filter=religion-and-belief
Faith Guides
http://prs.heacademy.ac.uk/publications/faith_guides.html
Religious Literacy Leadership Programme
http://religiousliteracyhe.org