The University of Edinburgh has issued new guidance urging privileged students to avoid mocking the accents of their state-educated peers, to promote inclusivity and address socioeconomic microaggressions on campus.
The policy targets explicitly those admitted through the university’s widening participation program, which lowers entry requirements for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. According to *The Telegraph*, the university’s directive aims to foster a respectful environment amid growing concerns about class-based prejudice.
As part of its inclusivity initiatives, the university has also introduced training for staff to tackle accent bias, advising them to approach interactions with curiosity and to challenge stereotypes that associate wealth with intelligence or diligence. Critical aspects of the training include understanding diverse backgrounds and avoiding a “snobbish” demeanour that could alienate students from different socioeconomic statuses. University representatives stressed recognizing that students come from varied life experiences, encouraging empathy and open-mindedness across campus interactions.
The University of Edinburgh noted that students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds make up a minority on campus, even though they form a majority in the broader UK population. Currently, over 70 per cent of Edinburgh’s students are from England, and nearly 40 per cent attend private schools, indicating a strong presence of students from more privileged backgrounds.
This policy announcement comes on the heels of a tragic incident at Oxford University, where third-year student Alexander Rogers died by suicide following social exclusion stemming from campus cancel culture. Rogers, a materials science student at Corpus Christi College, had reportedly been ostracized by peers after an unreported accusation. This incident has sparked renewed debate about inclusivity and mental health support within UK universities, highlighting the pressing need for campuses to be safe and welcoming spaces for all students. Edinburgh’s new guidelines represent an effort to foster a more inclusive community and bridge socioeconomic divides on campus.