UWE will launch its updated equality scheme next week as it aims to ensure it provides an inclusive and supportive environment for all.
Since the last scheme was launched in 2012, the university has reduced discrepancies in take-up of graduate entry employment or further study for different groups of students.
Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees, who is to talk at event on Wednesday, welcomed the new scheme. 
He said: “Bristol is a Learning City which means that it’s a place where we’re promoting learning at all ages. Making sure higher and further education is accessible and inclusive is a key part of this.
“We want to see people across the city being able to access jobs in our strong workforce, and that means raising aspirations and improving opportunities for people to gain the skills they need.
“There are many routes to do this, be it through higher education or via other routes such as apprenticeships and access to high-quality experiences of work. I am pleased to see that across the city partners are working towards this shared goal.”
Some 76% of UWE Bristol’s black and minority ethnic graduates are in professional roles within six months after graduation compared to 71% for all universities. With the help of the university’s paid internships and other support, graduates from low participating neighbourhoods in higher education achieve outcomes of 79%.
Those graduates with learning difficulties do even better, with 81% achieving graduate and professional jobs within six months.
UWE staff are dedicated to creating more inclusive classroom, curriculum and learning experiences for all.
From a staffing perspective, UWE has addressed pay inequality issues with a 10% pay gap reduction for staff since 2005 and has increased the proportion of top earners that are female to 40%.
Disabled staff numbers are up and the university continues to progress the equality agenda for LGBT staff since coming 11th in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index in 2015.
The university however is looking to do more and is focussing specifically on equalising attainment, student and staff progression and perceptions of their experience and recruitment of students and staff to reflect the local population.
Vice-chancellor Steve West said, “I’m delighted in the progress we have made since our last scheme, although there is room still to improve things further.
“At UWE we aim to enable our students and staff to develop the skills and knowledge to thrive, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, or sexual orientation.”
