Russell Group Universities 2023
Learn more about this group of universities in the UK and why you might want to choose to study at one.
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Some UK universities belong to the Russell Group, this is a collection of universities that have a reputation for research and high academic standards. Founded in 1994, its original members met in the Hotel Russell, London and so the name stuck. Their main aim was to form a collective to better influence government decisions.
Some would argue that a Russell Group university has a strong reputation for teaching and research excellence. This might give you access to tutor expertise, cutting edge research and high-quality teaching facilities like libraries, labs and online teaching tools. Big name recruiters might focus on Russell Group unis when exhibiting at career fairs and other events which could be advantageous when planning your next steps.
Are Russell Group universities hard to get into?
All universities have their own entry requirements and there are no extra hoops to jump through if you want to go to a Russell Group uni. That said because Russell Group institutions put an emphasis on academic excellence, the entry requirements are usually high.
Russell Group university deadlines
The deadlines for UCAS applications to a Russell Group university are the same as any other university. However, there is sometimes more competition to get into a Russell Group university so do get organised as early as possible.
Are Russell Group universities available in Clearing?
Yes, any Russell Group university will take part in Clearing if there are courses with places to fill. It’s likely that these spots will get snapped up quickly so do your research ahead of time.
learn more about what Clearing is and how it works by visiting our Clearing hub.
There are currently 24 Russell Group universities to choose from. For more information on each individual university click on the links below.
A global university in the heart of the Midlands.
A pioneering and independent spirited university in the South West of England.
A historic university formed of 31 colleges with a world-wide reputation for academic excellence.
Founded in 1883 in the thriving capital city of Wales.
A small but mighty university in a unique and historic setting in North East England.
One of the world’s top unviersities set in the diverse capital city of Scotland.
Four campuses dotted around this small city make up this friendly university in the South West of England.
A university proud of its diverse international community of talent situated in Scotland’s largest city.
Consistently ranked in our UK top five universities, Imperial focuses exclusively on science, technology, engineering, medicine, and business.
One of the oldest universities in England, made up of five campuses in the heart of London.
One of the largest universities in the UK, this single site campus is like a small town and a short walk from the city centre.
It’s main campus is in the heart of this exciting city but it also has a partner university in Suzhou, China.
LSE is the only university in the UK focused on the study of social sciences offering a range of subjects across 29 academic departments and institutes.
The first UK university to set social responsibility as a core goal, it’s known for its innovation.
Set in a lively and cosmopolitan student city, this university is committed to excellence, innovation and creativity.
This university has five faculties of Arts, Engineering, Medicine and Health Sciences, Science, and Social Sciences offering a wide variety of bachelors, master's and doctoral degree programmes.
World famous for the exceptional teaching, research and learning opportunities it offers, and its long history of excellence.
Queen Mary offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across the full disciplinary spectrum, including in subjects that you don’t always find at a Russell Group university.
This historic campus is surrounding by a buzzing, diverse community, making it the ideal set-up for students from across the world.
This university offers an inclusive, collaborative and friendly community at the heart of a unique and proud city.
This University brings people and ideas together across seven campuses, five in Southampton, one in Winchester, and one in Malaysia.
Founded in 1826, it was the first university in England to welcome students of any religion or social background and the first to welcome women to university education.
Warwick is a world-leading campus university, ranked in our UK's top ten and was the sixth most targeted university by the UK’s top 100 employers in 2022.
This university prides itself in empowers people from all backgrounds to flourish in a rapidly changing world.
Does going to a Russell Group university matter?
Some people view Russell Group universities as being more prestigious while others would disagree. What matters most is choosing a university and course that suits your unique needs best.
Try our new university shortlisting tool, Uniselect, and see if a Russell group uni might be right for you.
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