The University of Leeds is considering developing a Black British History module, believed to be the first of its kind at a Russell Group university in the United Kingdom.

If the module does go ahead, it could be available to students in the School of History within the next few academic years. Students  will have to wait to see if it will be made available to members of other schools through the University’s Discovery Module programme.

Melz, LUU’s Education Exec and instigator of the “Why is my Curriculum White?” campaign two years ago, has since been re-elected and has already achieved major success in securing £700,000 of funding from HEFCE to aid in tackling the ongoing BME and socio-economic attainment gap at Leeds.

The issue of BME attainment has recently made headlines as increasing pressure is being put on UK universities provide education that properly reflects the students who pay to get degrees.

Developments like the potential introduction of a  Black British History module are important for Leeds. Over 20% of graduates in 2015 were BAME students (black, Asian, minority ethnic) and the percentage is very likely to have increased in subsequent years. Campaigns like Why is My Curriculum White? are pushing for teaching subjects that accurately reflect the diversity of student backgrounds.

Euan Hammond

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