Religion - Staff Monitoring Report 2024/25

Religion 2024/25

Less than 40% of university staff declared that they held religious beliefs, compared to a third of HESA sector staff. Most staff who shared their information indicated they do not hold any religious beliefs.​

One in 6 staff did not share their information, compared to over a third in total HESA data.

Proportion of Staff by Religion or Belief vs HESA

Horizontal bar chart comparing religion and belief categories in the organisation (OU, dark blue) with the HESA benchmark (grey). Details in the data table available after this graphic.

Proportion of Staff by Religion or Belief vs HESA
Religion or Belief% OU% HESA
No Religion or Belief43.5%31.4%
Religion or Belief39.0%33.4%
I prefer not to say12.5%10.3%
No data5.1%24.9%

OU staff declared their Religion or Belief at a higher rate than HESA.

HESA Sector data taken from Advance HR statistical report 2024 ​

Religion or Belief (as of 31st July 2025) ​

Horizontal bar chart showing the distribution of religion and belief categories among staff. Details in the data table available after this graphic.

Religion or Belief (as of 31st July 2025) ​
Religion or Belief% of OU staff
No Religion43.5%
Christian29.5%
I prefer not to say12.5%
No data5.1%
Spiritual2.2%
Muslim2.3%
Other Religion or Belief1.6%
Hindu1.7%
Buddhist0.7%
Jewish0.5%
Sikh0.4%

No Religion is the largest category, followed by Christian and Prefer not to say.

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