Sexual Harassment Rates Higher at Leading Universities
Students attending England’s top universities face sexual harassment at more than twice the rate of those at lower-ranked institutions, according to recent analysis.
Data from a national survey of undergraduates reveals that 35% of students at "high tariff" universities—those requiring the highest A-level grades for admission—reported experiencing sexual harassment. This contrasts with just over 17% of students at universities with the lowest entry requirements and 26% at "medium tariff" institutions.
Findings from the Office for Students Survey
The analysis, conducted by the Office for Students (OfS), England’s higher education regulator, also identified particular concentrations of sexual harassment and sexual assault or violence among students enrolled in courses with demanding entry standards, such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary sciences, and languages.
The OfS clarified that it did not investigate the causes behind the significant variation in harassment rates between different types of institutions. It stated:
“We observe higher prevalence among students studying at those [institutions] with high tariffs compared with the sector overall … The analysis does not assess the reasons for this variation and should therefore be interpreted with caution.”
The high tariff category includes the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, many of which operate medical schools.
Reactions from University and Student Leaders
Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union, expressed concern over the findings:
“What is especially alarming about this latest analysis is that it shows sexual harassment is more prevalent at higher tariff institutions, which are deemed more prestigious.
“Perpetrators from these universities are more likely to end up in powerful jobs, risking the reproduction of these toxic cultures. Likewise, it is incredibly worrying that such high levels of sexual harassment were reported in courses like medicine, given this is where the next generation of doctors are being educated.”
Professor Libby Hackett, chief executive of the Russell Group, described the reported scale of sexual harassment and violence as “very troubling.” She stated:
“Our universities have zero tolerance to sexual misconduct and work to ensure every student and staff member remains safe on campus.
“Many universities have stepped up these efforts in recent years, with more support and clearer reporting processes – but it’s evident from the data that there is more work to be done.
“We will be working collectively with the regulator, government, charities and wider local communities to understand the risks for the most vulnerable students, respond to students’ needs, and prevent harassment and violence before they occur to make our universities a safer place.”
Amira Campbell, president of the National Union of Students, also commented on the data:
“I am extremely saddened to see this data that shows just how prevalent sexual misconduct is in higher education ... We all need to work together to fight the culture in which sexual harassment and violence thrives.”
Expert Perspectives and Additional Data Insights
Experts who reviewed the data following its release on Friday noted they had not yet conducted a detailed examination. However, they suggested that students at high tariff universities might be at greater risk due to factors such as a larger proportion of young undergraduates living away from home.
The survey indicated that students attending university away from their family home reported higher exposure to sexual harassment or sexual assault and violence compared to those studying near home or as distance learners.
Initial findings from the survey of 50,000 final-year undergraduates, published last year, showed that nearly one in five women experienced sexual assault or violence during their time as students.
The latest breakdown also revealed that women experienced significantly higher rates of harassment or assault than men across all categories. For example, while 3% of men studying architecture, building, or planning courses reported sexual assault or violence, the figure for women in the same fields was 20%.
Women with disabilities, including mental health disabilities, reported higher rates of attacks than their peers without disabilities or male counterparts.
