HEPI Survey Sheds Light on Undergraduate Attitudes

The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) has released new findings in Policy Note 72 examining how UK undergraduates view access to single-sex spaces. The survey, authored in analysis by Professor Alice Sullivan of UCL, polled just over one thousand home students and reveals a landscape where majority opinion favours maintaining biological sex-based boundaries in facilities such as changing rooms.

Only 31% of respondents believed biological males who identify as women should be permitted to use women’s changing rooms. A clear majority of 55% opposed this, with 14% unsure. Views on the reverse scenario — biological females who identify as men using men’s changing rooms — proved only marginally more permissive. These results align closely with broader public opinion, challenging assumptions that student bodies uniformly support gender self-identification policies in campus facilities.

Key Demographic Variations in Responses

Breakdowns by sex, socio-economic background, ethnicity and subject of study highlight significant differences. Female students showed 33% support for biological males in women’s changing rooms compared with 26% among male students. Students from more privileged ABC1 backgrounds expressed 33% approval versus 26% among working-class C2DE respondents.

Ethnic patterns were pronounced. Just 22% of Black students and 24% of Asian students supported biological males accessing women’s facilities, compared with 36% of White students. Subject differences proved equally striking: Humanities and Social Sciences students split evenly at 43% in favour and 43% against, while those in medicine, STEM, Business and Management recorded decisive majorities against. Creative Arts and Design students showed a smaller but still clear majority opposing access.

Context Within UK Higher Education Policy

UK universities operate under the Equality Act 2010, which permits single-sex spaces where justified, including changing rooms, toilets, sports facilities and accommodation. The Office for Students (OfS) and Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) provide guidance on balancing inclusion with sex-based rights. Many institutions have faced pressure to adopt inclusive policies that allow self-identified gender access, sometimes leading to debates over compliance and student welfare.

The HEPI data suggests university managers may overestimate support for fully self-ID approaches among the broader student population. Vocal campaigns by student unions and protests against gender-critical academics have dominated headlines, yet the survey indicates these represent minority positions.

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Implications for Campus Facilities and Student Experience

Single-sex spaces on campus encompass changing rooms in sports centres, toilets in libraries and halls, accommodation blocks, and segregated areas in health services or prayer rooms. Maintaining biological sex-based provisions can support privacy, dignity and safety for many students, particularly women. The findings underscore the need for evidence-based policy rather than assumptions about generational attitudes.

Institutions reviewing policies may consider clearer communication of options, such as unisex facilities alongside single-sex ones, to accommodate diverse preferences without compromising legal protections. The survey’s restriction to home students leaves open questions about international students’ perspectives, an area for further research.

Broader Debates on Sex, Gender and Academic Freedom

Professor Sullivan’s analysis connects the survey to wider issues of research barriers and self-censorship. Her earlier work on barriers to research on sex and gender notes how campaigns of intimidation have chilled open discussion among academics and students alike. Preference falsification — where individuals publicly express views differing from private beliefs — may inflate perceived support for contested policies.

Humanities and Social Sciences environments appear to foster more liberal views on these issues through both selection effects and peer or curricular influences. This disciplinary divide mirrors patterns observed in other social attitude surveys.

Stakeholder Perspectives Across the Sector

Student unions, including the National Union of Students, have advocated strongly for trans inclusion in single-sex spaces. University administrators often cite inclusion and wellbeing strategies when updating policies. Meanwhile, groups representing women’s rights and gender-critical academics emphasise the importance of sex-based protections under existing equality law.

The HEPI results provide a counterpoint to narratives of uniform student support for self-ID, offering administrators data to inform balanced approaches that respect the full spectrum of student opinion.

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Future Outlook and Recommendations for Universities

As the 2026 academic year progresses, institutions may benefit from commissioning their own localised surveys to capture nuanced views. Enhanced data collection on sex alongside gender identity, in line with recommendations from reviews such as the Sullivan Review, could improve policy development.

Training for staff on legal obligations, alongside transparent consultation processes, can help navigate sensitivities. Future HEPI or Advance HE surveys could usefully expand questions to include religion, sexual orientation and overseas students for a fuller picture.

Comparative Insights with General Population

The undergraduate responses track closely with wider UK public attitudes on single-sex spaces. This convergence suggests campus debates may amplify certain voices while under-representing mainstream student sentiment. Universities seeking to foster inclusive yet equitable environments can draw on this alignment to reassure stakeholders that evidence-based policies need not conflict with majority student preferences.