Many HEIs are letting down pregnant students

Higher education institutions may not be meeting new legal responsibilities to ensure pregnant students, and those who have recently given birth, aren't discriminated against, according to Equality Challenge Unit.

The higher education equality body found that pregnant students can face issues including being forced to withdraw from their course, having to take longer out of their course after giving birth than they would like, and being prevented from sitting examinations.

The Equality Act 2010 introduces new protection from discrimination for students during pregnancy and maternity, by extending the protection that exists for women in employment to higher education. Although most higher education institutions give effective support for pregnant staff and those with childcare commitments, there are currently few examples of providing such support for students.

ECU today published guidance for institutions on how to support students during pregnancy and maternity. This guidance is the first of its kind in the sector, intended to help institutions meet the requirements laid out in the Equality Act.

Ellen Pugh, Senior Policy Adviser at Equality Challenge Unit, said:

'Under the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful for higher education institutions to discriminate against applicants or students who are pregnant or in a period of maternity in relation to admissions, the provision of education, access to any benefit, facility or service, or disciplinary proceedings.

Institutions must ensure that students do not face discrimination or feel they cannot continue their studies because of pregnancy and maternity. In practice, this means reviewing key student policies, practices and procedures - from developing support mechanisms and making sure facilities meet students' requirements, to dealing with pregnancy-related absence, when students can return to their studies and the practicalities of sitting exams. In some cases, students have been unfairly excluded from exams because of pregnancy, or forced to take a whole year out of their studies which also has a knock-on effect on student finance.

Expected changes in the demographics of the student population, with an increase in mature and part-time students, makes it more likely that the number of students who become pregnant during their studies will increase. Institutions must be ready to support these students, enabling them to continue their studies.'

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• Student pregnancy and maternity: implications for higher education institutions