Your guide to Russell Group universities.
Russell Howard? Russell Crowe? Kurt Russell? What have they got to do with UK universities?
Nothing.
Russell Group universities aren’t named after a particular person, but rather a hotel in London — Hotel Russell (now known as Kimpton Fitzroy). The lore began there when the founding members of the group first met in 1994 to discuss their interests in funding and research.
You really do learn something every day.
If you’re looking into higher education, you’ve likely seen Russell Group universities here, there, and everywhere, as a prestigious place to study — but what are they really? Will your degree be more valuable from one of the group’s institutions? Are non-Russell Group schools not as good?
We’re going to break it down so it’s easier for you to make your uni choices. Russell Group or non-Russell Group? That is the question.
In this guide:
- What are Russell Group universities?
- What’s the difference between Russell Group and non-Russell Group universities?
- Are Russell Group universities better?
- FAQs
What are Russell Group universities?
Russell Group universities are a collection of 24 public research universities in the UK. They have a strong focus on academic excellence, research, and global reputation. They’re essentially the UK’s answer to the US Ivy-League.Â
These universities are highly competitive and well-funded, with many believing they’re the most prestigious. With strong connections with employers, attracting large research grants, and topping university league tables, Russell Group unis are popular choices for students who want to aim for the best.
That being said, it doesn’t mean that non-Russell Group universities are bad. In fact, many are equally great (if not more so) and most provide students with solid and excellent education in a range of subjects, as well as employability prospects.
Which universities are part of the Russell Group?
There are 24 universities in the UK that are part of the Russell Group.
These are:
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- Cardiff University
- Durham University
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- University of Leeds
- University of Liverpool
- London School of Economics
- University of Manchester
- Newcastle University
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford
- Queen Mary University of London
- Queen’s University Belfast
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University College London
- University of Warwick
- University of York
What’s the difference between Russell Group and non-Russell Group universities?
There’s not a huge difference between Russell Group and non-Russell Group universities.
While Russell Group unis have a stronger focus on research and more funding, they’re not necessarily any better in student experience or quality of teaching. They might also have more historical context and have highly-specialised fields — such as the University of Cambridge, renowned for its sciences and mathematics.
The table below goes into more detail regarding the differences:
| Aspect | Russell Group | Non-Russell Group |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Research-intensive | Varies — often more teaching-focused |
| Funding | Receive a larger share of research funding | Less research funding overall |
| Reputation | Generally higher global/international recognition | Some still have excellent reputations (e.g., Bath, St Andrews) |
| Graduate Prospects | Often strong employer links and alumni networks | Many non-RG unis now rival or surpass RG in employability |
| Entry Requirements | Typically higher | Can be more flexible |
| Teaching Quality | Not guaranteed to be better — varies by course | Some non-RG unis rank higher for teaching satisfaction |
Are Russell Group universities better?
Whether Russell Group universities are better than non-Russell Group universities is subjective to some degree. It entirely depends on the individual and what you’re looking for.
The best university is the one that caters to your specific preferences and needs, not necessarily the ones with the most prestigious reputation.
The global reputation of Russell Group universities might be better than non-Russell Group, but the quality of teaching can be the same, if not better in some cases, at Non-Russell Group unis. It’s really all about what you’re personally after.
When might a Russell Group uni be better for you?
- You’re aiming for a research-focused degree or postgraduate study
- You want access to world-leading facilities, funding, or academic networks
- You’re applying for competitive careers where recognition might help, e.g. law, finance
When might a Russell Group uni not be better for you?
- You want a more supportive, hands-on learning environment
- You’re interested in a subject where non-Russell Group universities are specialists, e.g. creative arts
- You want to prioritise student satisfaction or teaching quality
Career prospects
We all want a good job once we’re done and dusted with university, but are your career prospects better if you graduate from a Russell Group uni?
We looked at The Guardian University Guide Rankings 2025 which gave a score out of 100 for career prospects within 15 months of graduation (the higher the score, the better).
Below are two tables that we’ve split into Russell Group and non-Russell Group, showing the scores they received. You’ll see that there’s not a lot of difference between the two, with a few non-Russell Group unis coming out better than some in the Russell Group, or not that much further behind.
Russell Group universities
| Institution | Group | Career after 15 months |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial College | Russell Group | 96 |
| Cambridge | Russell Group | 94 |
| Oxford | Russell Group | 93 |
| London School of Economics | Russell Group | 93 |
| Durham | Russell Group | 91 |
| UCL | Russell Group | 90 |
| Warwick | Russell Group | 89 |
| Birmingham | Russell Group | 88 |
| Cardiff | Russell Group | 88 |
| Bristol | Russell Group | 87 |
| Southampton | Russell Group | 87 |
| Nottingham | Russell Group | 87 |
| Glasgow | Russell Group | 86 |
| Edinburgh | Russell Group | 86 |
| Exeter | Russell Group | 86 |
| Sheffield | Russell Group | 86 |
| York | Russell Group | 86 |
| Liverpool | Russell Group | 86 |
| Manchester | Russell Group | 86 |
| Leeds | Russell Group | 86 |
| Newcastle | Russell Group | 86 |
Non-Russell Group universities
| Institution | Group | Career after 15 months |
|---|---|---|
| Bath | Non-Russell Group | 92 |
| St Andrews | Non-Russell Group | 91 |
| Loughborough | Non-Russell Group | 89 |
| Surrey | Non-Russell Group | 88 |
| Aston | Non-Russell Group | 87 |
| Lancaster | Non-Russell Group | 86 |
| Strathclyde | Non-Russell Group | 86 |
| Dundee | Non-Russell Group | 86 |
| Aberdeen | Non-Russell Group | 85 |
| Swansea | Non-Russell Group | 85 |
| UEA | Non-Russell Group | 85 |
| St Mary's, Twickenham | Non-Russell Group | 85 |
| Robert Gordon | Non-Russell Group | 85 |
| Leicester | Non-Russell Group | 84 |
| Reading | Non-Russell Group | 84 |
| Heriot-Watt | Non-Russell Group | 84 |
| Plymouth | Non-Russell Group | 84 |
| Ulster | Non-Russell Group | 83 |
| Royal Holloway | Non-Russell Group | 83 |
| Keele | Non-Russell Group | 83 |
| Queen Mary | Non-Russell Group | 83 |
| Worcester | Non-Russell Group | 83 |
| Northumbria | Non-Russell Group | 82 |
| Teesside | Non-Russell Group | 82 |
| Bradford | Non-Russell Group | 82 |
| SOAS | Non-Russell Group | 82 |
| Suffolk | Non-Russell Group | 82 |
| Edge Hill | Non-Russell Group | 81 |
| Bournemouth | Non-Russell Group | 81 |
| Chichester | Non-Russell Group | 80 |
| Bolton | Non-Russell Group | 80 |
| Coventry | Non-Russell Group | 80 |
| Hull | Non-Russell Group | 80 |
| Salford | Non-Russell Group | 80 |
| Portsmouth | Non-Russell Group | 79 |
| Chester | Non-Russell Group | 79 |
| Lincoln | Non-Russell Group | 79 |
| Sussex | Non-Russell Group | 79 |
| Brighton | Non-Russell Group | 79 |
| Stirling | Non-Russell Group | 79 |
| Central Lancashire | Non-Russell Group | 79 |
| Canterbury Christ Church | Non-Russell Group | 79 |
| Cumbria | Non-Russell Group | 79 |
| Essex | Non-Russell Group | 78 |
| Staffordshire | Non-Russell Group | 78 |
| London South Bank | Non-Russell Group | 78 |
| Kent | Non-Russell Group | 78 |
| Huddersfield | Non-Russell Group | 78 |
| Bangor | Non-Russell Group | 78 |
| Hertfordshire | Non-Russell Group | 78 |
| Abertay | Non-Russell Group | 78 |
| Wolverhampton | Non-Russell Group | 78 |
| Gloucestershire | Non-Russell Group | 78 |
| South Wales | Non-Russell Group | 77 |
| Derby | Non-Russell Group | 77 |
| Aberystwyth | Non-Russell Group | 77 |
| Queen Margaret | Non-Russell Group | 77 |
| Greenwich | Non-Russell Group | 77 |
| Brunel | Non-Russell Group | 77 |
| West of Scotland | Non-Russell Group | 77 |
| Kingston | Non-Russell Group | 76 |
| De Montfort | Non-Russell Group | 76 |
| West London | Non-Russell Group | 75 |
| Anglia Ruskin | Non-Russell Group | 75 |
| Wrexham | Non-Russell Group | 75 |
| Middlesex | Non-Russell Group | 75 |
| Northampton | Non-Russell Group | 75 |
| Winchester | Non-Russell Group | 75 |
| Buckinghamshire New University | Non-Russell Group | 74 |
| Goldsmiths | Non-Russell Group | 74 |
| University of the Arts London | Non-Russell Group | 73 |
| Sunderland | Non-Russell Group | 72 |
| Bath Spa | Non-Russell Group | 72 |
| East London | Non-Russell Group | 71 |
| Solent | Non-Russell Group | 71 |
| Bedfordshire | Non-Russell Group | 71 |
| Falmouth | Non-Russell Group | 70 |
| London Met | Non-Russell Group | 70 |
| Westminster | Non-Russell Group | 69 |
| Roehampton | Non-Russell Group | 68 |
| Trinity Saint David | Non-Russell Group | 67 |
| University for the Creative Arts | Non-Russell Group | 66 |
| Arts University Bournemouth | Non-Russell Group | 65 |
Taken from The Guardian University League table
If you want to find out more, we’ve got the best non-Russell Group universities in the UK to help make your choice easier.
FAQs
Are Russell Group universities more expensive?
So, for home students (UK & Irish), universities in England and Wales are capped at £9,250 per year for undergraduate study — regardless of whether it’s a Russell Group uni or not. This will rise to £9,535 from August 2025.
The living costs in each university city will differ, i.e. if you’re studying in London you’ll likely be paying more in rent and general living expenses compared to a smaller city like Lancaster.
For international students, tuition is uncapped and this is where Russell Group universities may charge more — due to demand and reputation.
In terms of maintenance loan, the amount you’ll receive is correlated to your household income. Check out our student maintenance loans guide for more information on how much you might get.
Is teaching better at Russell Group universities?
Just because a university is in the Russell Group, doesn’t automatically mean the teaching is better. A Russell Group uni might excel in teaching chemistry, for example, but their drama course might not be as great.
It really depends on the subject you want to study and what kind of learner you are. Russell Group universities tend to have academics teaching subjects who are leaders in their research field, but they might not be able to offer as much support to students because of fewer contact hours.
Non-Russell Group universities might have smaller classes for some subjects, meaning there’s more 1:1 support and guidance.
Make sure you do your research depending on the course you want to study.
Is a Russell Group university right for me?
It depends. You have to take into account your goals, learning style, and priorities — what’s right for someone else, might not be right for you.
If you prefer more contact time, smaller classes, and a more personal teaching approach, a non-Russell Group uni might be a better fit for you.
Benefits of going to a Russell Group university:
- Globally recognised
- Cutting-edge research opportunities
- Taught by world-leading researchers
- World-class facilities like labs and libraries
- Academic networking and influence
- Motivated peers
Do you need higher grades to get into a Russell Group university?
Typically, yes, you do need higher grades to get into a Russell Group university. These unis attract a lot of talent from across the country (and globe) so they often set higher entry requirements than non-Russell Group unis.
For example, to study English Literature (or Language and Literature) at University of Oxford, you’ll need grades AAA, with one subject being English Literature or English Language and Literature.
To study English at University of Lincoln, you’ll need an equivalent of 104 UCAS tariff points — so grades BCC-BBC.
Table of average entry tariff of applicants for the top 5 Russell Group universities vs the top 5 non-Russell Group universities
| Russell Group uni | Average entry tariff | Non-Russell Group uni | Average entry tariff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | 203 | St. Andrews | 212 |
| Cambridge | 208 | Bath | 180 |
| London School of Economics | 192 | Loughborough | 162 |
| Imperial College London | 204 | Lancaster | 154 |
| Durham | 185 | Aberdeen | 187 |
Taken from The Guardian University League table
Do Russell Group universities accept BTEC qualifications?
Most Russell Group universities will accept BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas for undergraduate courses, but you might have to achieve a Distinction at the minimum.
If you have a mixture of A-Levels and BTECs then your chances might be higher than if you have solely BTECs. It may also vary between courses, and only specific BTECs might be accepted (like ones related to your undergrad course).
The top Russell Group universities, like Oxford and Cambridge, may only accept BTECs on the rare occasion, but will typically ask for 3 A-Levels.
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