Equality, Diversity & Inclusion | University of Bedfordshire

Home Careers Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or identity. The Careers & Employability Service at the University of Bedfordshire is here to support every student to develop the competencies and experience that they need to achieve their career goals.

You can find some useful links below or click the tiles for specific information.

Useful Links

Target Jobs - Discrimination in the recruitment and process, a legal guide for graduates
The Equality Act 2010 - Guidance
The Windsor Fellowship - Opportunities programmes and internships for all people regardless of their race, religion or background
SEO London - delivering superior educational, training, and mentoring support to young people from low socioeconomic and ethnic minority backgrounds
Creative Access - providing career long access, opportunities, support and training for people from under represented groups to make the creative industries reflect society
My Plus Student's Club - Disability Careers Guides
National Careers Service - Job support if you have special education needs or a disability
Vercida - a ‘careers site’ showcasing inclusive employers building sustainability, wellbeing and belonging into their workforce
University of Bedfordshire Student Support Services - including mental health, disability support and money advice

Disability, Neurodiversity & Mental Health

Studying for and achieving a degree, with the extra challenges faced by disabled students or those with mental health conditions, is a real achievement and testament to your motivation and commitment. We understand that the transition into employment may seem daunting, and we want to support you as you research and apply for jobs.

Direct or indirect discrimination related to a disability breaches the Equality Act 2010. Disability is defined by the Act as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Employers are required by law to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to prevent a disabled person being disadvantaged compared to a non-disabled person – if they know about your disability. For many, though, it’s not just a legal requirement – they have a genuine desire to create a diverse and representative workforce, and to benefit from the insights which this will bring.

When you are looking for work, look on adverts and application forms for the 'disability confident' symbol which means that the employer is committed to employing disabled people and that you'll be guaranteed an interview if you meet the basic conditions for the job.

If you have any specific questions or would like support with finding and applying for jobs, internships or placements then contact the Careers and Employability Service

Our Student Support team are also available with a wide range of support.

Useful Links:

10,000 Interns - paid internships for disabled students and graduates of all ethnicities across a range of UK industries
Disability Rights UK - information and advice for disabled students and apprentices
Change 100 Internships - paid summer work experience placements, professional development and mentoring for university students and graduates with any disability or long term condition
AGCAS - Job searching sites for disabled students
Whizz Kidz - employability services for wheelchair users
Maximus UK - The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions
Bright Network - Managing your mental health during your job search
Chronic Illness and Career Ambition - Tips to manage long term health issues alongside a successful career (Panopto sign in required)
National Autistic Society - Finding Employment, free online course.
Brain First - The ADHD Business podcast
Reaching for Career Success with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Dyscalculia - Video resource, Panopto sign in required
Enhancing Well-being at Work - Explore topics such as work-life balance, mindfulness, managing anxiety and much more (Beds Career Builder sign in required - visit our support pages for further information)
Evenbreak - A leading disability job board offering inclusive jobs for people with disabilities or any long-term health conditions

LGBTQ+

The Equality Act 2010 makes unlawful any discrimination, on the grounds of sexual orientation, which covers heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality, or gender reassignment.

What information you share during the recruitment process is up to you. You shouldn’t be asked about your sexual identity at interview. Whether you challenge assumptions made, is again up to you.

If you have any specific questions or would like support with finding and applying for jobs, internships or placements then contact the Careers and Employability Service

Our Student Support team are also available with a wide range of support.

Useful links:

Stonewall's Top 100 Employers - the UK's leading benchmarking tool for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace
Proud Employers - find a job with an LGBT-inclusive employer
Vercida's Jobs Board for LGBTQ+ Applicants
myGwork - global business community of LGBTQ+ professionals, graduates, inclusive employers and anyone who believes in workplace equality
National Student Pride - helping to transform LGBTQIA+ futures
Prospects - getting a job as an LGBTQ+ graduate

Gender

The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.

It replaced previous anti-discrimination laws with a single Act, making the law easier to understand and strengthening protection in some situations. It sets out the different ways in which it’s unlawful to treat someone.

If you have any specific questions or would like support with finding and applying for jobs, internships or placements then contact the Careers and Employability Service

Our Student Support team are also available with a wide range of support.

Useful links:

The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality
The British Council - Gender Equality and Empowering Women and Girls in the UK
Where Women Work - Find out where women work and why
In Her Sight - helping women find the companies and jobs where they will thrive
Tech Ladies - providing resources and support for women in tech to learn, network, and grow their careers
British Federation of Women Graduates - offering unique opportunities for effective action and networking through meeting like minded people whose aim is to improve the lives of women and girls worldwide

Race & Ethnicity

Direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of race is against the Equality Act 2010. This covers colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin.

If you have any specific questions or would like support with finding and applying for jobs, internships or placements then contact the Careers and Employability Service

Our Student Support team are also available with a wide range of support.

Useful Links:

10,000 Interns - paid internships for black students and graduates across a range of UK industries
Diversity Jobsite - promoting equality of opportunity
Ethnic Jobsite - bridging the gap between employers and ethic minorities in the UK
AFBE - Association for black and minority ethnic engineers
Black Solicitors Network - the primary voice of black solicitors in England and Wales; committed to achieving equality of access, retention and promotion of black solicitors
Melanin Medics - a national charity promoting racial diversity in Medicine, widening aspirations and aiding career progression.
Taylor Bennett Foundation - welcomes diverse talent from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds from ages 16- 24 to pursue a career in public relations and communications
BBSTEM - aims to inspire the young Black British generation to pursue STEM subjects in university and beyond.

Age

The definition of a mature student is students who are over 21 years of age at the beginning of their undergraduate studies, or over 25 years of age at the beginning of their postgraduate studies. Over half of mature students are aged between 21 and 24, and around 40% are over 30.

Direct and indirect discrimination against candidates or employees on account of their age contravenes the Equality Act 2010

If you have any specific questions or would like support with finding and applying for jobs, internships or placements then contact the Careers and Employability Service

Our Student Support team are also available with a wide range of support.

Useful Links:

Rest Less - search age diverse jobs
Runneth Returnships - short term internships designed for people returning to work

Socio-economic factors

Social mobility centres around the concept that everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background, should be able to thrive and do well. This means that the same career opportunities should be open to you regardless of whether you come from a lower income household, were the first in your family to attend university and/or in receipt of a means tested grant.

If you have any specific questions or would like support with finding and applying for jobs, internships or placements then contact the Careers and Employability Service

Our Student Support team are also available with a wide range of support.

Useful Links:

upReach - supporting undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds to access and sustain top graduate jobs
NACRO - advice and guidance for individuals who have a criminal record
Blueprint for All - working with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds aged 18-30 to inspire and enable them to succeed in the career of their choice
Zero Gravity - powering students from low opportunity areas through mentoring, masterclasses and a powerful community
Breaking Barriers - Helping refugees find meaningful employment