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CONTENTS

1. What's a Russell Group university?

2. What are the benefits of studying at Russell Group universities

3. Are Russell Group universities hard to get into?

4. Russell Group university deadlines

5. Are Russell Group universities available in Clearing?

6. List of Russell Group universities

7. Does going to a Russell Group university matter?

What's a Russell Group university?

Some UK universities belong to the Russell Group. It's 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.  

What are the benefits of studying at Russell Group universities

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 (unless you're applying to Oxford or Cambridge). However, there is sometimes more competition to get into a Russell Group university so do get organised as early as possible.  

Read our guide to UCAS deadlines and how to apply.

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.  

List of Russell Group universities

There are currently 24 Russell Group universities to choose from. For more information on each individual university click on the links below.  

Compare the universities within the Russell Group in our dedicated league table 

University of Birmingham 

A global university in the heart of the Midlands.  

University of Bristol 

A pioneering and independent-spirited university in the South West of England.  

University of Cambridge 

A historic university formed of 31 colleges, with a worldwide reputation for academic excellence.  

Cardiff University 

Founded in 1883 in the thriving capital city of Wales.  

Durham University 

A small but mighty university in a unique and historic setting in North East England.  

The University of Edinburgh

One of the world’s top unversities, set in the diverse capital city of Scotland.  

University of Exeter 

Four campuses dotted around this small city make up this friendly university in the South West of England.  

University of Glasgow 

A university proud of its diverse international community of talent, situated in Scotland’s largest city.  

Imperial College London 

Consistently ranked in our UK top ten universities, Imperial focuses exclusively on science, technology, engineering, medicine, and business.  

King’s College London 

One of the oldest universities in England, made up of five campuses in the heart of London. 

University of Leeds 

One of the largest universities in the UK, this single-site campus is like a small town just a short walk from the city centre.

University of Liverpool  

Its main campus is in the heart of this exciting city but it also has a partner university in Suzhou, China. 

London School of Economics and Political Science  

LSE is the only university in the UK focused on the study of social sciences, offering a range of subjects across 25 academic departments and institutes.  

University of Manchester 

The first UK university to set social responsibility as a core goal, it’s known for its innovation.  

Newcastle University  

Set in a lively and cosmopolitan student city, this university is committed to excellence, innovation and creativity. 

University of Nottingham 

The university's five faculties of Arts, Engineering, Medicine and Health Sciences, Science, and Social Sciences offer a wide variety of bachelors, master's and doctoral degree programmes.  

University of Oxford 

World-famous for the exceptional teaching, research and learning opportunities it offers, and its long history of excellence.  

Queen Mary University of London 

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. 

Queen’s University Belfast 

A historic campus surrounded by a buzzing, diverse community makes it the ideal place for students from across the world. 

University of Sheffield  

Offers an inclusive, collaborative and friendly community at the heart of a unique and proud city. 

University of Southampton 

Brings people and ideas together across seven campuses – five in Southampton, one in Winchester, and one in Malaysia. 

University College London 

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. 

University of Warwick  

Warwick is a world-leading campus university, ranked in our UK top ten and one of the most targeted university by the UK’s top 100 employers.

University of York 

This university prides itself on empowering 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 university shortlisting tool, Uniselect, and see if a Russell group uni might be right for you.