SEVEN more universities have committed to divesting from companies that profit from the detention, deportation, surveillance and persecution of migrants.

People and Planet announced latest figures today, after years of pressure from students organising under its Divest Borders campaign.

The initiative demands that universities fully divest from border companies within three years, accusing firms such as Mitie, Serco, Airbus and Accenture of profiting from technology used to carry out abuse. 

Thirteen universities have made the pledge so far.

The universities which have made this commitment in 2025 are Bath Spa University, Birmingham City University, the University of Bradford, Edge Hill University, SOAS University of London, University of the Arts London (UAL) and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). 

The University of Bradford and Bath Spa University also committed to excluding oil, gas and mining companies from their careers and recruitment services, following pressure from People and Planet’s Fossil Free Careers campaign.

Andre Dallas, co-director of Migrant Justice, said: “While billions of pounds are being poured into militarised borders and dystopian surveillance technologies, the growing wave of universities distancing themselves from this deadly industry is a powerful message.”

The Arts SU Intersectional Feminism society based at UAL said: “As intersectional feminists we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone, including those not originally from the UK. 

“Excluding the violent border industry from UAL’s investments is an important step in realising intersectionality and tackling unjust political complacency within the institution.”

A SOAS spokesperson said: “Upholding human rights and migrant justice lies at the heart of our university’s mission, which is why we do all we can not to invest in companies implicated in human suffering or rights abuses.”