University contains a diverse range of people from varying backgrounds where people can feel relived of the pressure of being anyone else but themselves. And according to UCAS, one in 13 university applicants declared on their application that they are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Pride has seen a huge rise in acceptance since it began following Stonewall’s march in 1969. With this, the university space has been a recognised space for LGBTQ+ acceptance and celebration
Pride month is a space to celebrate the LGTBQ+ community across major cities. With this in mind, here’s a look about how Russell Group universities celebrated Pride this year.
1. University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham celebrated pride at the heart of the city. Firstly, students and staff participated at the annual Birmingham Pride parade, which totals at tens of thousands each year.
The event contained a main stage at Smithfield Live Festival, with huge headliners this year being Clean Bandit.
Classic drag shows and community stalls were also set up for enjoyment this year.
Birmingham Pride totalled over 75,000 people, with students and staff from the university openly celebrating.
2. University of Bournemouth
Bournemouth Uni’s pride this year occurred on July 11th to 12th.
The university advertised Bourne Free Pride parade as the main event. The parade was also sponsored and set up by Bourne Free charity that annually organises the parade.
BU also held a stall on the 11th July, with a decorated UNIBUS which travels across the city centre.
3. University of Bristol
Bristol Pride 2025 was held from 28th June to 13th July, and contained a huge celebration with main stage headliners including Allie X and Kim Wilde.
The university supported “TheirPrideStories” which campaigns for sharing personal stories from the LGBTQ+.
Additionally, the university invited Dr Sandra Duffy, an academic and the Co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Network, to speak at an event with all University of Bristol students and staff.
4. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge hosted a variety of events this year.
It hosted academic talks from four speakers in the LGBTQ+ field on June 1st, ranging from talks on gender studies to the queer community in cinema.
The university also hosted a fundraiser in support of The Kite Trust which nurtures young LGBTQ+ people.
This year, the uni also attended London’s Pride parade on 5th July.
5. Cardiff University
Cardiff University invited all students to attend the pride parade on the 21st June. Additionally, the university marked 40 years since its own students hosted the first pride parade in Cardiff 1985.
Cardiff’s recent LGBT society also won the Best New Society of the Year 24/25 and celebrated such award in style this year.
6. Durham
Durham University promoted the city’s pride parade on the 24th and 25th May.
Just days before the parade, the Pride flag was actually removed from city council headquarters by Reform UK. In response, a high turnout of 6,000 people turned up in support.
The event saw both performers and speakers take the stage too.
7. Edinburgh
Edinburgh University marked Pride this year in a celebration with the wider community.
The university openly worked with Pride Edinburgh, which had major headliners such as Diana Vickers and in hand with community stalls for the city to enjoy.
8. Exeter
Exeter Uni’s pride was heavily promoted by its student union.
The union advertised a range of activities from 7th to 9th May. These included a Quiet Pride space for neuro-divergent students, Pride flag making and also celebrating intercultural pride activities.
9. Glasgow University
Glasgow University’s pride celebration began on 2nd June with students gathered to raise the pride flag on campus.
Glasgow also had a LGBTQ+ historical timeline, an all student Pride picnic and finally on 19th July celebrating Glasgow’s pride march.
10. Kings College London
King’s this year encouraged participation at the London Pride event which took place on 5th July.
Additionally, the university hosted a lunch ‘n’ learn about LGBTQ+ rights, LGBTQ+ picnics and virtual breakfast clubs for queer students.
11. Lancaster University
Lancaster University promoted the Lancaster and Morecambe Pride parade.
The parade is organised and endorsed by an LGBTQ+ charity known as Out in the Bay, which supports queer people in the Lancaster district.
12. University of Leeds
Leeds University promoted the Leeds pride parade, 19th-20th, July while also celebrating LGBTQ+ research from the university.
Leeds also hosted an academic talk from Professor Paul Johnson known as the University’s LGBT+ Champion, which was titled Pride today and every day.
13. University of Lincoln
Lincoln University organised a free Pride walk which took place on 28th May. It included live music from student artists and community food stalls.
14. University of Liverpool
Liverpool University showcased a variety of events. From educational talks such as ‘Why pronouns matter’ to an exhibition about queer magazine covers which were donated to the university.
Unfortunately, Liverpool’s pride march this year has been cancelled to financial challenges for the LCR Pride Foundation.
15. University of Manchester
Manchester University celebrated this year’s Pride with the theme of Love.
The student union opened an anonymous submission for people to share university relationship experiences.
Manchester also offered sign ups for Manchester’s pride parade, taking place 23rd August.
16. Newcastle University
Newcastle participated at Northern Pride in the city centre between July 19th and 20th. The parade included drag poetry, market stalls and an average attendance of 80,000+ people.
17. University of Nottingham
Nottingham pride took place on 26th July, where over 7,000 LGBTQ+ people and allies strode across the city centre.
The parade included community stalls from local charities and even a family space for all to enjoy.
18. Sheffield
Throughout June, Sheffield’s student union hosted multiple screenings of queer cinema, such as Kiki on June 4th. It also hosted arts and crafts for Pride fans and banner painting.
Coming up is the RAD Pride parade in Sheffield where thousands march across the city.
19. University of Warwick
Warwick University collaborated with the Warwick Art Centre for a variety of LGBTQ+ themed events. From a mystery film screening on 7th June to an open mic event on June 12th, Warwick had it covered in a creative way this year.
20. York
The University of York began with raising the Pride flag on June 4th. Following this, the university gathered LGBTQ+ students and allies to take part in York Pride Parade on 7th June.
21. Oxford
Oxford University held a Pride breakfast where more than 100 staff and students attended breakfast in celebration.
Simultaneously, the city celebrated 22 years of Pride on 7th June, with the theme being The Greatest Show, where being creative and bold was emphasised as the theme.
22. UCL
UCL began this year with a screening of Rocky Roggio on June 3rd.
Shortly followed, on June 11th was an LGBTQ+ science research showcase where queer scientists introduced their findings.
Finally, on 26th June the Annual Global Queer celebration took place where all staff students were invited to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with entertainment such as drag bingo.
23. Imperial
Imperial students showcased their baking skills on June 12th at a Pride month bake off.
Additionally, events such as mental health training for LGBTQ+ inclusion was provided on 17th and 19th June.
However, Imperial students have a long competition ahead with a Summer of Pride photo contest, taking place between June 1st to August 31st.
Featured image via Instagram @livuni @universityofbristol @uniofexeter
