This study investigates how notions of human diversity and difference are understood by education students in Spain, England and the United States. The authors developed the Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Difference Scale (BATD). This instrument was constructed using nine dimensions of diversity thought to have significant implications for education: culture/ethnic origin, language, socioeconomic status/social class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political ideology, disability and giftedness/special talents. The data suggest that attitudes toward people who differ include etic (universal), emic (cultural), and individual properties.