EducationUK Guidance Counsellor Handbook_US version 2014-2015 Handbook: USA Version | Page 50

50 College and University Guidance Counselor Handbook Sports and student athletes For some students, sport plays a significant role in university life as it provides the opportunity to engage in inter-university tournaments and sports clubs that are run and managed by students and institutions. UK universities have a history of providing a nominated day per week for sport, to enable students to fit it into their studies. Most universities have on-campus sports facilities, including gym and track and field spaces. As well as official sports clubs run by the institution, there are often societies that are formed by students through the students’ union representing sports from ice hockey to tae kwon do and everything in between. If students play a sport that is not represented, they are able to start their own society and during the first few weeks of term, there is usually a sports and societies week that enables students to find a society that they would like to join and students can join more than one! Universities have strong links with the community and across the UK are leisure and professional sports clubs who welcome new members. Local clubs are usually friendly and small membership fees may apply depending on the sport. If students wish to join a sports club or private gym, they should always check whether there is a student discount. British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS), the national governing body for Higher Education sports in the UK, covers 16 offical sports. College and University Guidance Counselor Handbook Students with disabilities British universities provide excellent support facilities for students who have disabilities and offer additional tailored support for students who need it. While all UK universities offer strong services in this area there are variations in the level of support offered to meet particular needs. Students should contact the disability support office on campus early in the application process to ensure that the university has the resources and capabilities to meet students’ needs. The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 prohibits education and training providers to discriminate against disabled people. Universities are required to make reasonable adjustments to serve disabled students so they are not at a substantial disadvantage. There is limited funding for international disabled students, but sponsors may have additional grants to cover extra expenses a student may have due to his/her disability. It’s useful to speak to individual institutions about services and support available for students with disabilities as it differs from every institution. Find out more at www.bucs.org.uk Most universities in the UK do not offer tuition scholarships on the basis of athletic ability. However, many UK universities offer scholarships for elite athletes to enable them to excel in their sport while in higher education. These scholarships vary in value and cover costs such as equipment, physiotherapy, specialist coaching and related travel. Religious observance in UK universities The UK has a multicultural society and British universities recruit students from around the world. As such, UK universities are home to students of multiple faiths and support students in the observance of different religions and beliefs. The UK is officially a Christian country and observes religious holidays based on the Christian calendar. However, with a significant population who practice other faiths, there are celebrations and observance days for a wide range of religions in the UK. Many British universities have officially designated representatives across multiple faiths and religions who are able to introduce students to their local community. Generally, UK universities avoid scheduling compulsory activities during religious holidays for students whose commitment to the observance of their fa ith would otherwise cause them to miss the assessment or other activity. University policies offer flexibility to students if observance of a religious holiday prevents a student from attending class or completing an assignment if discussed with a lecturer in advance. LGBT culture in the UK UK Universities are inclusive organisations who do not discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity and there is a LGBT community in most UK universities. Some institutions offer support groups and host events for their LGBT communities. There are a number of laws in the UK that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation and universities must comply with that law. The UK has a thriving LGBT community and there are national and local events as well as a range of specialist publications that cover LGBT news. Some useful resources include: PinkNews covers LGBT events in the UK and provides an LGBT guide to the UK. Stonewall a LGBT charity in the UK, offers political and legal information about LGBT issues in the UK. UK Gay News provides LGBT news in the UK and around the world. Gay by Degree - gaybydegree.org.uk A guide for lesbian, gay and bisexual prospective students and all those in between. VisitLondon has developed Gay London, an iOS app, to help find LGBT-friendly establishments in the London. The UK was ranked the best country in Europe to be gay. (ILGA Europe) 51