What are Russell Group Universities? - The Russell Group of Universities is a collaboration of 24 premier institutions in the United Kingdom (UK). Established in 2007, the presidents of the Russell Group Universities, who are also board members, strive to assure that the universities have the best circumstances to thrive and continue to make social, economic, and cultural contributions through their world-class research and teaching. These top-class, research-intensive institutes contribute significantly to the intellectual life of the United Kingdom and across the world.
The Russell Group of universities is a prestigious league in the United Kingdom comprising 24 research-intensive, top-ranking institutions or members. These institutes have developed a reputation for student success, academic brilliance, and research. Over two-thirds of world-class research in the UK is produced by these universities, which also contribute over £87 billion to the national economy annually.
The Russell Group Universities is a self-selected group of twenty-four UK institutions, including Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Manchester, and Warwick. Russell Group universities, founded in 1994, are well-established and have determined rankings in university league tables. These universities promote research and frequently have stringent admission standards.
These institutions, which are scattered throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, are renowned for their academic brilliance, exceptional research, and powerful influence. In a manner, the Russell Group is the UK's Ivy League counterpart.
Russell Group universities have a huge social, economic, and cultural impact in the UK and across the world. Some of the most important aspects are as follows:
They sustain almost 260,000 employment across the country and produce two-thirds of the world's top research.
The universities contribute around £87 billion to the country's economy each year.
Russell institutions in the United Kingdom attract around 32% of non-UK students due to their research quality, relevance, and reputation.
Russell Group institutions have reduced dropout rates, much higher levels of student satisfaction, outstanding employability rates, and more.
The 24 Russell Group of Universities have been ranked according to Shiksha Study Abroad, QS World University Ranking 2024, and Times Higher Education 2024 Ranking to provide a better understanding of each university and its position on the global education map.
Here is a list of the UK's top 24 institutions that are members of the Russell Group.
Russell Group Universities UK |
Year of Joining Russell Group |
QS World University Rankings 2024 |
Times Higher Education (THE) 2023 Ranking |
University of Cambridge |
1994 |
#2 |
#5 |
University of Oxford |
1994 |
#3 |
#1 |
Imperial College London |
1994 |
#6 |
#8 |
University College London (UCL) |
1994 |
#9 |
#22 |
The University of Edinburgh |
1994 |
#22 |
#30 |
University of Manchester |
1994 |
#32 |
#51 |
King's College London |
1998 |
#40 |
#38 |
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) |
1994 |
#45 |
#46 |
University of Bristol |
1994 |
#55 |
#81 |
University of Warwick |
1994 |
#67 |
#106 |
University of Leeds |
1994 |
#75 |
#129 |
University of Glasgow |
1994 |
#76 |
#87 |
Durham University |
2012 |
#78 |
#174 |
University of Southampton |
1994 |
#81 |
#97 |
University of Birmingham |
1994 |
#84 |
#101 |
University of Nottingham |
1994 |
#100 |
#130 |
The University of Sheffield |
1994 |
#104 |
#105 |
Newcastle University |
1994 |
#110 |
#168 |
Queen Mary University of London |
2012 |
#145 |
#135 |
University of Exeter |
2012 |
#153 |
#177 |
Cardiff University |
1998 |
#154 |
#190 |
University of York |
2012 |
#167 |
#147 |
The University of Liverpool |
1994 |
#176 |
#168 |
Queen's University Belfast |
2006 |
#202 |
#201-250 |
The following sections provide detailed information about each university, including eligibility standards, popular courses, and cost structure.
University of Birmingham |
||
Courses |
Duration |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
MBA International Business |
12 Months |
₹33.9 L |
BBA (1 Course) |
3 Years |
₹17.7 L - 21.83 L |
MS (24 Courses) |
12 Months |
₹17.17 L - 1.21 Cr |
MIM (22 Courses) |
1 Year |
₹17.17 L - 30.26 L |
MEM (5 Courses) |
1 Year |
₹21.69 L - 24.79 L |
BSc (2 Courses) |
3 Years |
₹17.7 L - 22.89 L |
University of Bristol |
||
Courses |
Duration |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
MIM (25 Courses) |
1 - 4 Years |
₹19.17 L - 30.43 L |
MS (40 Courses) |
12 Months |
₹19.36 L - 26.99 L |
BE/Btech (13 Courses) |
3 - 5 Years |
₹22.99 L - 24.1 L |
BBA (16 Courses) |
3 Years |
₹18.71 L - 22.99 L |
BSc (33 Courses) |
3 - 4 Years |
₹18.89 L - 24.1 L |
Cardiff University |
||
Courses |
Duration |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
MBA (3 Courses) |
12 Months |
₹26.1 L |
MS (96 Courses) |
12 - 36 Months |
₹16.01 L - 31.6 L |
MIM (24 Courses) |
1 - 2 Years |
₹16.01 L - 21.51 L |
BE/Btech (16 Courses) |
3 - 5 Years |
₹16.69 L - 20.43 L |
BBA (47 Courses) |
3 - 4 Years |
₹16.43 L - 20.13 L |
BSc (23 Course) |
3 Years |
₹20.13 L - 20.43 L |
Durham University |
||
Courses |
Duration |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
MBA (2 Course) |
12 Months |
₹30.71 L - 32.57 L |
MIM (20 Courses) |
1 Year |
₹20.47 L - 29.31 L |
BE/Btech (15 Courses) |
3 - 4 Years |
₹24.01 L - 25.45 L |
BBA (25 Course) |
3 Years |
₹20.01 L - 21.31 L |
BSc (21 Courses) |
3 Years |
₹20.99 L - 25.45 L |
MS (24 Course) |
12 Months |
₹18.84 L - 25.22 L |
University of Cambridge |
||
Courses |
Duration |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
MBA (1 Course) |
12 Months |
₹56.77 L |
BBA (2 Course) |
3 Years |
₹21.68 L - 21.72 L |
BE/Btech (11 Courses) |
3 - 4 Years |
₹28.42 L - 33.05 L |
MS (41 Courses) |
9 - 11 Months |
₹19.93 L - 36.68 L |
MIM (14 Course) |
1 Year |
₹26.84 L - 45.6 L |
University of Edinburgh |
||
Courses |
Duration |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
MBA (1 Course) |
12 Months |
₹33.41 L |
MIM (18 Courses) |
1 Year |
₹22.29 L - 32.29 L |
MS (53 Courses) |
12 Months |
₹20.38 L - 33.41 L |
BBA (28 Courses) |
4 Years |
₹19.5 L - 21.5 L |
BSc (27 Courses) |
5 Years |
₹20.47 L - 26.94 L |
BE/Btech (20 Courses) |
4 - 5 Years |
₹25.64 L - 28.29 L |
University of Exeter |
||
Courses |
Duration |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
MS (59 Courses) |
12 Months |
₹13.49 L - 25.13 L |
MIM (29 Courses) |
0.7 - 1 Year |
₹10.98 L - 28.85 L |
BBA (13 Course) |
3 - 4 Years |
₹17.5 L - 18.15 L |
BE/Btech (13 Course) |
4 Years |
₹19.96 L - 25.13 L |
MBA (1 Course) |
12 Months |
₹32.57 L |
University of Glasgow |
||
Courses |
Duration |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
MBA (1 Course) |
12 Months |
₹32.57 L |
MS (99 Courses) |
12 Months |
₹18.01 L - 30.57 L |
MIM (49 Courses) |
1 Year |
₹12.87 L - 27.33 L |
BBA (10 Course) |
3 - 4 Years |
₹16.43 L - 18.98 L |
BE/Btech (25 Courses) |
4 Years |
₹20.4 L - 25.99 L |
Imperial College London |
||
Courses |
Duration |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
MBBS (1 Course) |
6 Years |
₹45.5 L |
MS (110 Courses) |
12 Months |
₹21.21 L - 37.8 L |
MBA (1 Courses) |
12 - 24 Months |
₹53.55 L |
BE/Btech (25 Courses) |
3 - 5 Years |
₹30.97 L - 34.24 L |
BSc (39 Courses) |
3 - 4 Years |
₹31.21 L - 35.31 L |
MIM (15 Courses) |
1 Year |
₹16.19 L - 36.58 L |
King's College London |
||
Courses |
Duration |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
MBBS (2 Course) |
5 Years |
₹41.37 L - 43.44 L |
BBA (6 Courses) |
3 Years |
₹21.08 L - 28.44 L |
MIM (19 Courses) |
1 Year |
₹23.79 L - 36 L |
MS (66 Courses) |
12 Months |
₹22.18 L - 37.81 L |
BE/Btech (13 Courses) |
3 - 4 Years |
₹27.07 L - 29.87 L |
BSc (27 Courses) |
3 Years |
₹21.08 L - 33.4 L |
MPharm (1 Course) |
4 Years |
₹22.94 L |
Every university in the Russell Group of Universities in the United Kingdom would have its own admissions criterion. Candidates may view the qualifying requirements for each university by clicking on it. However, some common entrance requirements for Russell Group universities in the United Kingdom include the following.
English Language Requirements: To study in the United Kingdom, candidates must have an excellent grasp of the English language. Most institutions will ask you to take one of the English language competency exams to assess your English language skills.
UK Student Visa: Once you have received your admission letter, you must successfully apply for a UK Student Visa before you may visit the country to study.
Financial Support: There are two primary fees associated with studying in the United Kingdom: tuition and living expenses. Candidates can check out the many scholarships granted by the individual institutions in the group or just select a suitable scholarship, here. Read about popular UK scholarships for Indian students.
Russell Group institutions are premier institutions in the United Kingdom, with the majority of them ranked among the top 100 universities in the world.
Here are some of the reasons you should consider studying at a Russell Group university.
World-class education: Russell Group universities are unquestionably the best in the world. Innovative teaching approaches, increased staff-to-student ratios, access to cutting-edge technology, and more! Studying at a Russell Group University is a privilege in itself.
Admission Rates: Because the institutions are so prominent, one would expect it to be difficult to get into. The good news is that most Russell Group universities have high admission rates. So, with the appropriate application, nothing can prevent you from entering.
Employability Rates: Russell Group Universities are extremely influential and have a solid reputation in the business sector. Russell Group institutions create some of the most knowledgeable and accomplished individuals. These colleges also provide a variety of services to assist students prepare for careers.
Networking: By enrolling at a Russell Group university, you join a long line of Nobel Prize winners, worldwide leaders, visionaries, and other exceptionally outstanding individuals. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to study and learn with them.
Russell Group Universities get two-thirds of all UK research funding and contract money. This is beneficial for students conducting research as part of a final year or postgraduate degree dissertation. However, it is worth noting that non-Russell Group universities provide students with an equally high quality of research.
Due to the size of research funds Russell Group institutions are provided, this can attract scholars at the top of their particular area. However, many of these experts prefer to lecture at universities outside than the Russell Group.
Russell Group institutions tend to have better completion rates. As an undergraduate, your daily classes may be conducted by world-class teachers, and you will have access to top-tier research facilities.
As a postgraduate student, you may notice the influence of a Russell Group university more. Students will have access to a wide range of research opportunities and high-quality facilities, as well as financing from the Russell Group.
It is vital to remember that not attending a Russell Group university will not result in a disadvantage. Rather than focusing just on selecting a Russell Group institution, it is preferable to explore which universities are most suited to your chosen subject and choose a location that is convenient for you.