Race, ethnicity, culture, and discrimination

Updated on: 23 June 2026

Support and resources on how to understand key issues, access support, and report concerns to promote an inclusive and respectful community.

Each year St Andrews is home to staff and students of diverse ethnicities and backgrounds. The University of St Andrews is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and equity for all staff and students. We will not tolerate any form of racism or discrimination.

We aim to foster an environment where diversity is celebrated within the University and racial, ethnic, and cultural differences are looked at with respect and sensitivity. By facilitating inclusivity and providing essential support to our diverse staff and student population, we can strive to embed good practice that contributes towards equity for all within and beyond University.

This guide will outline key information and resources for support, and signposting to student-led or external resources in the areas of race, ethnicity, culture, and discrimination.  If you have experienced any instance of racism, hate, microaggressions or discrimination and would like further details on how to access support, or guidance on how you can report to the University, please see Report and Support

I'm not sure what I can report or seek support for?

At your time in St Andrews, you can report or seek support for a range of issues which are linked with race, colour, ethnicity and religion. These include, but are not limited to experiencing racial discrimination, racial microaggressions and hate crime.

Sometimes experiences can be difficult to articulate, and we may not be sure of exactly what to seek support for. To contact the Advice and Support Centre, you can call +44 (0)1334 46 2020 or complete this online form. During a consultation, our advisers will listen and work collaboratively with you to offer options, information or to identify further support suited to your needs.

What is race discrimination?

Race discrimination can be direct – that is, conscious and arising out of a dislike for a particular race. It can also be Indirect – where we may not always register our presuppositions or biases towards others and our ways and means, individually or institutionally put other races at a disadvantage.

Resources

What are racial microaggressions?

Racial microaggressions are small events or acts of aggression (verbal and non-verbal) towards a person of a different race. These may be conscious or unconscious and may seem small to the perpetrator or non-impacted bystanders. However, whether in isolation or combined, they impact the experience of the person(s) towards which the comment was directed or witnesses, particularly those sharing racial characteristics.

The impacts can range from upsetting others momentarily to affecting them deeply over a period. Accumulatively, microaggressions can make ‘minoritised’ groups feel as though they do not ‘belong’ within an institution. Read more about microaggressions.

What is white privilege?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines white privilege as “the set of social and economic advantages that white people have by virtue of their race in a culture characterized by racial inequality”. It may not always be consciously used or an obviously visible privilege but is very often the lack of obstacles for one race when compared with another.

How can I be an ally?

How can I report an incident of hate, discrimination or racism?

How can I access University support?

What peer support and resources do I have access to?

  • St Andrews Nightline
    An anonymous and confidential service which is run by students for students. Available 7 days a week, 8pm-7am.

Networks

Societies

What external resources are available to me?

 

 

Links to external sites and information

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