Belonging at Leeds

The University of Leeds commits to supporting the Access and Student Success Strategy 2025 (PDF) which places belonging at the core of the 4 pillars of the student lifecycle of: Access, Continuation,  Attainment and Progression.

Students’ sense of being accepted, valued, included and encouraged by others (teacher and peers) in the academic ... setting and of feeling oneself to be an important part of the life and activity of the ...[university]. More than simple perceived liking or warmth, it also involves support and respect for personal autonomy and for the student as an individual

Goodenow 1993

The guidance here is intended to help colleagues, supporting and working in student education, understand belonging at Leeds and to support a process of consciously focusing on how we can contribute to this crucial aspect of students’ time at Leeds. It will help us all to have a shared understanding of what it actually means to belong at Leeds.

At the University of Leeds, we celebrate being RICH in belonging, through embedding belonging in administrative and academic processes to enhance the student experience.

• Responsibility to help each individual feel valued in all University spaces is shared by everyone
• Individual identities, perspectives and life stories are the strengths that make our community succeed
• Community relies on all staff and students working in partnership
• Belonging is at the Heart of the University of Leeds

If your service or faculty would like further information about Belonging at Leeds, please contact us at belonging@leeds.ac.uk.