The University aspires to provide an inclusive learning community and aims to work with all our students to achieve their goals.
The University has a range of networking opportunities, representation groups and support services dedicated to supporting our Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage and Minoritised Ethnic students, ensuring you feel welcome, included, and part of the wider University community.
At CCCU, we take a 365 day approach to Black History. Whilst we appreciate the importance of Black History Month, one month just isn't enough. So check out our BH365 programme.
The Canterbury Christ Church Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic Student Network provides a space for students to support each other throughout their studies, network, discuss challenges, and promote race equality and diversity. It is also a place to hold events including webinars and signpost students to important information and services.
Members of the Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic Student Network play an active role in shaping the University’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion agenda, including working as partners to develop curriculum, procedural changes, and sitting on the University’s Closing Our Gap Strategy Group.
The Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic Student Network is open to all CCCU students that identify as a member of the Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, or Minoritised Ethnic community.
CCCU Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic Student Network aims to:
- Provide a supportive space for Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic students at CCCU.
- Provide a network that builds a sense of belonging and community.
- Collaborate with key services across the University to promote Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic interest.
- Organise and host events that promote Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic interest and the University’s EDI agenda.
If you would like to join the Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic (BAME) Student Network please complete this form.
If you are a not a Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, or Minoritised Ethnic student and would like to be a Network Ally and support the work of the BAME Student Network please email closingourgap@canterbury.ac.uk.
The Believe, Achieve, Mentor, and Empower (BAME) Programme has been uniquely designed for students that identify as Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic. The programme aims to improve the experience of Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic students, enhance learning, celebrate success, and support collaboration.
The Believe, Achieve, Mentor, and Empower programme will support students from a range of different cultural backgrounds to create a sense of community and mutual understanding. Under the programme, where possible, students will be matched up with mentors from similar cultural backgrounds.
The Students' Union provides independent representation if you feel that you would be more comfortable talking to someone outside of the University, while Student Course Representatives are elected by you to give feedback on key issues affecting your student experience.
The Students’ Union Council is made up of 22 elected Officers who represent all of the cohorts across the University. There are two dedicated Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic Officers to represent Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic students.
Gradforce
If you are in your final year of study, GradForce can help fast-track your graduate career with their exclusive GetHired! employability programme and graduate jobs.
We have a particular focus on underrepresented groups within the University, including students from Black Heritage, to level the playing field and ensure that all students leave Canterbury Christ Church with equal opportunity to graduate-level employment.
The 10,000 Black Interns Experience
This programme is designed to give Black or Black Heritage students a flying start at building your career. They match you with a paid internship in a sector of your interest, and support you with pre-internship training and development.
Applications are open from September – November for internships starting from May onwards.
Alongside the University of Brighton, we have embarked on an exciting collaborative leadership placement opportunity highlighting the urgent need to tackle issues around inequalities experienced by Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic students whilst on placement in healthcare settings.
Check out the Padlet developed by students to support other students within health and social care placements.
Our 'Bridging the Gap to Leadership' project provides new placement initiatives.
YouTube video player
Watch on YouTubeTHRIVE: A Journey of Black Excellence
A programme of transformation unlike any other “Standing in My Power” THRIVE: A Journey of Black Excellence - our Black Leadership intiative at Canterbury Christ Church University.
In collaboration with CCCU’s Closing our Gap initiative and Elevated Minds, we've designed this programme to provide the space for Black and Black Mixed Heritage students to connect with peers, build community, enhance academic skills, and reach your full potential.
Hear from our students
Black and Black Mixed Heritage students at CCCU share their experiences of the Thrive programme, how it made a difference to them, and why others should get involved.
Student Support and Wellbeing
Whether you are a Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritised Ethnic student seeking guidance to help you successfully continue with your studies, looking for a safe space to talk, or need support with your mental health, we are here to help. We have Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, and Minoritsed Ethnic Counsellors and Mental Health Practitioners.
Visit the Student Support area of the student webpages for more details.
Making a stand against racism
At Canterbury Christ Church we stand against racism. We believe that everyone has a right to a good quality education, in which diversity is celebrated. It is crucial that we all work together to tackle racism and promote racial equality. Find out how you can get involved in our IMatter campaign.
Report and Support
We believe that bullying, harassment, and hate crime are never OK and we want you to feel confident that reporting of any incidents at Canterbury Christ Church will be taken seriously.
If you have witnessed or experienced bullying, harassment, or racism, we are here to support you.
All staff, students, and visitors to our campus can report something either anonymously or with contact details via our online Report and Support tool. If you provide your name, one of our Advisers will be in contact within 3 working days. Reports can be about an individual, a group of people, or cultures.
Closing Our Gap
Through consultations with Staff and Students across the University, we have developed a Closing Our Gap Framework in which, we have identified 3 focus areas to help improve the student experience and academic success:
- Culture: The University is committed to creating an environment that celebrates diversity in which our core values are reflected.
- Curriculum: The University is committed to developing diverse and inclusive curricula that are representative and reflective of the staff and student body.
- Community: The University is committed to developing a friendly, inclusive, and professional community that fosters good relationships and a sense of belonging in which everyone is heard and respected.
Our Closing Our Gap Framework, sets out our commitments and a clear roadmap for positive and lasting change, provides the opportunity for us to work together as partners in learning, and will be under constant review to ensure we are making progressive change.
Inspiring excellence - a student success Closing our Gap Project
Yvonne Sober, a CCCU Film Production graduate, talks to inspiring Black leaders and asked them for tips on how to succeed and get the most out of university. You can make a difference!
YouTube video player
Watch on YouTube