# Northampton freshers face race equity course > Northampton freshers are being asked to complete race equity training before halls, raising fresh questions over campus speech. - Title: Northampton freshers face race equity course · Dailymail - Summary: Northampton freshers are being asked to complete race equity training before halls, raising fresh questions over campus speech. The course is framed as… - Keywords: universities, race, free speech, students, higher education, news, entertainment, Northampton, freshers, face, equity, course - Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16133335/Fresher-students-told-race-equity-course.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss - Published: 2026-09-15T21:31:08+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: universities, race, free speech, students, higher education, news, entertainment ## Freshers get training First year students at the University of Northampton are being asked to complete an online race equity course before moving into halls. > University students are being asked to complete a 'race equity' course ## Part of induction The course is being offered during Freshers' Week as part of the university's induction for new students. ## Reminders go out Students who do not finish the modules are sent reminders, according to the university. > Anyone who does not complete the modules is sent reminders ## Advance HE supplied it Northampton says the Introduction to Race Equity course comes through Advance HE, a membership body used by universities. ## Privilege prompt appears One section asks students to reflect on how white privilege operates and how it affects Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and students. > Were you aware of how White privilege operates ## Action plans requested Students are also asked to write down steps they can take to improve anti-racist practice and address race inequality. > improve your anti-racist practice ## University cannot read answers Northampton says students' written responses are not accessible to the university. > The responses are not accessible by the university ## Halls are not blocked The university says non-completion would not stop students from starting their courses or moving into accommodation. > would not prevent anyone starting their studies ## Free speech group objects The Free Speech Union argues the course signals that Northampton has taken a side on politically contested issues. > Northampton has taken a position on a number of politically contested issues ## Glossary defines privilege A separate Advance HE glossary defines white privilege as unearned advantages and choices given to people because they are white. > an unquestioned and unearned set of advantages ## Structural privilege defined The glossary also describes structural white privilege as a system that makes racial advantages and disadvantages seem normal. > make current racial advantages and disadvantages seem normal ## Ideas face pushback The piece notes that these ideas have been opposed by people who argue that not all white people are privileged. ## Further reading included The course appendix points students to extra reading, including a Huffington Post article about white fragility. > The Sugarcoated Language of White Fragility ## Northampton defends inclusion The university says inclusion is one of its core values, while also saying it supports free speech and respectful dialogue. > Inclusivity is one of our core values ## Course called standard Northampton describes the training as an industry standard course that asks students to reflect on their own background and their peers'. > an industry standard course ## Students can disagree The university says students are able to enter their own viewpoints in the course. > students are able to enter their own viewpoints ## Charter membership cited Northampton is a member of Advance HE's Race Equality Charter, which it says helps identify and tackle barriers for Global Ethnic Majority staff and students. > supports our efforts to identify and tackle the barriers ## Advance HE responds Advance HE says the course supports universities trying to tackle race inequality and build more inclusive campuses. > supporting the sector in its efforts to tackle race inequalities ## Providers can adapt it Advance HE says universities may adapt the programme for their own setting and that it does not prescribe how training is delivered. > Providers may adapt the programme for use in their own context ## Key takeaway The course is framed as reflective and optional, but critics argue its prompts put a university stance on contested race ideas in front of new students.