Universities are places of encounter and exchange, and they should be keen to welcome people from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and traditions. But for some, religious beliefs and traditions make it harder for them to see themselves as part of university life. Perhaps the timetable makes it difficult, because of responsibilities at home, the timing of holy days, festivals, worship or traditional rites. For others it may be a challenge to traditional understandings of particular roles, for example of women or young people, arising from their faith tradition. Universities need a sophisticated understanding of faith-factors that encourage people to participate in university life – and those that may be barriers.