Every October, universities across the UK mark Black History Month with events, activities and resources that celebrate Black histories, cultures, achievements and communities.
For 2026, the UK theme is ‘Honouring Our Communities’, focusing on the people and networks whose everyday contributions help to support and strengthen Black communities. The theme also creates an opportunity for universities to look beyond well-known historical figures and explore the experiences, contributions and stories within their own communities.
With October approaching, we take a look at how some UK universities are marking Black History Month this year, from student-led creative projects and community events to talks, exhibitions and opportunities for learning.
The 2026 theme puts community at the heart of Black History Month, and some universities are using it as an opportunity to celebrate their own students, staff and alumni.
At the University of Manchester, a portrait project is bringing together Black heritage students, staff and alumni to celebrate their experiences and contributions to the university community. The project aims to highlight everyday lives, local voices and the different ways people have helped shape the university's past and present.
At UCL, Black History Month is being marked through a programme centred on Black histories, cultures and communities. Its Computer Science Race Equality Working Group is hosting an event featuring spoken word, a Living History video premiere, a keynote speaker, networking and Afro-Caribbean food. Students are also being invited to contribute their own spoken-word performances and video reflections exploring identity, culture, community and belonging.
These approaches demonstrate how universities can put their own communities at the centre of Black History Month, giving students and staff opportunities not just to attend events, but to contribute their own voices and experiences.
Black History Month can also provide a starting point for conversations about history, identity, belonging and the experiences of Black communities today.
At Robert Gordon University, a Community Conversations panel will bring together staff, students, alumni and members of the wider university community to discuss belonging, identity and allyship. The event is designed to encourage participants to share perspectives, listen to different experiences and consider how individuals and institutions can contribute to more inclusive communities.
Imperial College London is taking a different approach, with an event exploring the power of community and the role networks can play in helping people connect, grow and create opportunities. The event will feature speakers from the African Caribbean Commercial Science Network alongside an entrepreneur sharing their own experiences.
For universities planning their own programmes, these examples show that Black History Month doesn't have to focus solely on historical lectures. Panels, conversations and personal stories can provide opportunities for students and staff to explore contemporary experiences as well.
Alongside talks and discussions, universities are using creative and cultural activities to bring people together.
At York St John University, the 2026 programme includes a range of activities, including a film, braiding and artistry showcase, a VR experience exploring ancestral roots, traditional games and a food exhibition and potluck. Later in the month, the university is also hosting a guest speaker and a film screening followed by a Q&A.
As mentioned, at UCL, students are being invited to explore Black identity, culture, community and belonging through spoken word, while the university's Living History project will bring together video and audio contributions from Black students and staff.
These types of activities can make Black History Month accessible to a wider university audience, while creating opportunities for students to share and celebrate culture in different ways.
Not all Black History Month activity needs to be centred around large events.
The University of Stirling is using its library resources to support engagement throughout October, with a dedicated reading list as well as a curated selection of documentaries, interviews and films. The university is also encouraging students and staff to explore Black history beyond the month itself.
Similarly, the University of Kent has created an extensive collection of books, films, podcasts, documentaries and other resources, alongside profiles of notable Black Britons and content created by staff and students.
Providing accessible resources can be a relatively simple way for universities to support learning throughout the month and give students opportunities to explore topics at their own pace.
For some universities, Black History Month also provides an opportunity to connect celebration and engagement with longer-term work around race equality and inclusion.
The University of Strathclyde, for example, is launching its Race Equality Charter Action Plan 2026–2031 during Black History Month, alongside events including an anti-racism workshop and community-focused celebrations.
At Kent, Black History Month sits alongside wider initiatives including its African Heritage Mentoring Programme, Diversity Mark programme and Black Student Voices project. The university also promotes its #Black365 campaign, encouraging activity celebrating Black history and achievement throughout the year rather than only during October.
This reflects an important consideration for universities planning their own activity: while Black History Month provides a valuable opportunity to raise awareness and bring people together, it can also form part of wider, year-round work around representation, belonging and race equality.
The 2026 programmes across the sector show that there is no single way to mark Black History Month. Universities are taking different approaches depending on their communities, resources and priorities.
For institutions still planning activity, some of the ideas emerging from this year's programmes include:
With this year's theme of ‘Honouring Our Communities’, there is also an opportunity to look beyond the most prominent names and historical milestones and recognise the people who contribute to university communities every day.
Black History Month may take place in October, but the stories, experiences and contributions it highlights are part of university life throughout the year.