UK University Guide: What is the Russell Group?

Aug 4, 2011
Carol Finch

What is the Russell Group of Universities? - Image by cobrasoft

Sometimes compared to the Ivy League in the USA, the UK's Russell Group of universities is highly ranked by many students and employers. Why?

Established in 1994, the Russell Group is composed of 20 leading universities across the UK that all have a strong focus on research and academic excellence. What is the focus of the group and which universities are members?

What Makes Russell Group Universities Different?

The members of the group share common aims. They are all committed to providing exceptional teaching and learning environments and to creating links with both the private and public sectors. They are, however, generally best known for their commitment to research and their success in winning funding.

According to the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008, conducted by Higher Education Funding Councils across the country, the Russell Group accounted for over 60% of the UK's world-leading research. Based on 2008/9 data, the group received over £5.4bn and was consistently awarded over two-thirds of all available funding from the following sources:

67% of UK universities’ research grant/contract income.
68% of Research Council income.
62% of Funding Council QR funding.
75% of UK charity research funding.

These factors make universities in the group attractive to prospective students, both within the UK and abroad, especially those who are considering research or academia as a career.

Which Universities are in the Russell Group?

The 20 members of the group span the four countries of the UK and include some of its top ranked universities. They are:

England: University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, King's College London, University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, London School of Economics & Political Science, University of Manchester, Newcastle University, University of Nottingham, University of Oxford, University of Sheffield, University of Southampton, University College London, University of Warwick.
Northern Ireland: Queen's University Belfast.
Scotland: University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow.
Wales: Cardiff University.

According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2010, three of the Russell Group are in the top 10; five universities make the grade in the European rankings for that year.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Applying to a Russell Group University

The group includes some of the most prestigious universities in the UK. Awareness and value perception with employers will usually be high, especially in research and academic fields, which could make it easier for a graduate to find a job after study. Even if an employer is not aware of the group as a whole, an Oxbridge, LSE or University of Edinburgh degree speaks for itself. Plus, high levels of funding for research often lead to exceptional learning opportunities.

But, it's worth remembering that competition for places here will be extremely fierce and entrance standards will be high. The group was also amongst the first to take up the increase in fees allowed by new government initiatives – courses will not come cheap and are likely to hit the maximum mark of £9k a year. In some cases, students may find better options elsewhere, depending on their chosen areas of study. Not all of the UK's top-ranked unis are represented here and, in the case of some courses, other institutions may provide better options.