Pursuing a degree at one of the Russell Group universities would be on top of every student’s bucket list. But, one thing that keeps the students on the fence is the question of which university to choose. When given a list of Russell Group universities ranking, one may slide into a state of uncertainty. We are here to help you end your confusion once and for all.
The Russell Group is a prestigious association of 24 leading research-intensive universities in the United Kingdom, contributing £87 billion to the country’s economy annually. But it gets even more impressive. More than a third of all engineering students are enrolled at Russell Group schools. Four of every five budding doctors and dentists cut their teeth at these universities. Half of the linguists, 58% of physical scientists, and 63% of mathematicians get their start at a Russell Group institution.
Now, let’s quickly glance over the list of Russell Group universities ranking.
List Of Russell Group Universities Ranking
The following list showcases the current Russell Group members and their positions in the highly regarded QS World Ranking of 2024.
| Rusell Group Universities | QS World Ranking 2024 |
| University of Cambridge | #2 |
| University of Oxford | #3 |
| Imperial College of London | #6 |
| The University of Edinburgh | #9 |
| University of Manchester | #22 |
| King’s College London | #32 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | #40 |
| University of Bristol | #45 |
| University of Warwick | #55 |
| University of Leeds | #67 |
| University of Glasgow | #75 |
| Durham University | #76 |
| University of Southampton | #78 |
| University of Birmingham | #81 |
| University of Nottingham | #84 |
| University of Birmingham | #100 |
| University of Sheffield | #104 |
| Newcastle University | #110 |
| Queen Mary University of London | #145 |
| University of Exeter | #153 |
| Cardiff University | #154 |
| University of York | #167 |
| University of Liverpool | #176 |
| Queen’s University Belfast | #202 |
University Of Cambridge
A collegiate research university founded in 1209, Cambridge is found in the top-most position of Russell group universities ranking. It has produced numerous influential thinkers and has an exceptional reputation across disciplines.
The university runs eight cultural and scientific museums, such as the Fitzwilliam Museum and Cambridge University Botanic Garden. Cambridge’s 116 libraries house about 16 million books, with roughly nine million in Cambridge University Library, a legal deposit library and one of the largest academic libraries in the world.
University Of Oxford
Dating back to the 11th century, Oxford’s unique collegiate system of 39 self-governing colleges provides an unparalleled student experience. It leads in areas like humanities while maintaining strength across curricula. Oxford has no main campus; its buildings and facilities are spread throughout the city centre.
Undergraduate teaching includes lectures, small-group tutorials at colleges and halls, seminars, lab work, and sometimes additional tutorials from central university faculties and departments. Postgraduate teaching is mainly centralised.
Imperial College London
A world leader in science, engineering, business and medicine based in London. Imperial is renowned for its entrepreneurial real-world focus and commercial partnerships. Imperial College London specialises in science, engineering, medicine, and business.
The main campus in South Kensington hosts most teaching and research activities, while a second campus in White City acts as a hub for innovation. In 2024 list of Russell group universities ranking was #8 published by Times Higher Education.
University Of Edinburgh
One of Britain’s ancient universities from 1583, Edinburgh combines wonderful medieval and Georgian architecture with advanced research across arts, humanities, medicine and sciences.
Established by the town council under King James VI’s royal charter in 1582 and formally inaugurated in 1583, it stands as one of Scotland’s four ancient universities and ranks as the sixth-oldest continuously operating university in the English-speaking world.
University Of Manchester
A prestigious red-brick university strong in innovative research and teaching across disciplines. Manchester has particular historic renown in areas like physics and computer science.
Manchester ranks as the UK’s third-largest university based on total enrollment, attracting over 92,000 undergraduate applications annually, marking it as the most sought-after university in the UK in terms of application volume. It proudly holds membership in prestigious academic alliances such as the Russell Group, the N8 Group, and the US-based Universities Research Association.
King’s College London
An esteemed multi-faculty research university in the heart of London dating to 1829. In 1836, King’s College became one of the original two colleges establishing the University of London. It stands as among the oldest higher education institutions in England. King’s is highly ranked globally, especially for arts, humanities and social sciences.
London School Of Economics
LSE provides world-class social science education and research, with expertise in economics, political science and international relations. LSE has over 11,000 students, with nearly 70% hailing from international backgrounds, alongside a staff count of 3,300. Among the Russell group universities, it was placed #46 in the Times Higher Education rankings.
University Of Bristol
A red brick research institution chartered in 1909, Bristol combines a fertile old-world collegiate environment with modern research excellence across engineering, sciences and liberal arts.
The university consists of six academic faculties, each comprising several schools and departments offering over 200 undergraduate courses, mainly situated in the Tyndalls Park area of the city.
University Of Warwick
An elite plate glass university founded in 1965 with a strong reputation in research, particularly sciences, social sciences and cross-disciplinary studies. Warwick’s main campus spans 290 hectares (720 acres) on the outskirts of Coventry, complemented by satellite locations in Wellesbourne and central London at the Shard.
The university is structured into three faculties—Arts, Science, Engineering, Medicine, and Social Sciences—comprising thirty-two departments.
University Of Leeds
One of Britain’s largest higher education institutions, Leeds has made major research contributions across its comprehensive range of faculties since 1904. It was placed quite high at #129th position among the Russell Group Universities Ranking by Times Higher Education. Leeds sees an annual influx of over 67,000 undergraduate applications.
It stands as the fifth most sought-after university in the UK regarding application numbers, trailing Manchester, Edinburgh, University College London, and King’s College London.
University Of Glasgow
This prestigious institution, which dates back to 1451, boasts a rich heritage and a vibrant campus nestled in Scotland’s largest city. It is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland’s four ancient universities.
Alongside St Andrews, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh, it played a key role in the Scottish Enlightenment during the 18th century.
Durham University
Situated in the picturesque city of Durham, this collegiate university combines modern facilities with a captivating medieval legacy. It was the first officially recognised university to open in England in over 600 years, following Oxford and Cambridge, making it the third-oldest university in England. As a collegiate university, its primary roles are split between its academic departments and 17 colleges.
University Of Southampton
A leading research-intensive university, Southampton offers cutting-edge programmes in engineering, computer science, and oceanography. The University of Southampton has 14,705 undergraduate and 7,960 postgraduate students, making it the largest university in the South East region by higher education enrollment.
The University of Southampton Students’ Union offers support, representation, and social activities, including participation in four media outlets, 200 societies, and 80 sports.
University Of Birmingham
Established in 1900, this esteemed university has built a reputation for excellence in research and teaching. Its stunning campus, with an iconic clock tower, is a hub of academic and cultural activities. It is a founding member of the Russell Group of British research universities and the international network of research universities, Universitas 21.
University of Birmingham was placed ar #101 in the Russell Group universities ranking by Times Higher Education. It has 23,155 undergraduate and 12,605 postgraduate students, making it the 7th largest university in the UK out of 169.
University Of Nottingham
This global university promotes a diverse and inclusive learning environment with campuses in Nottingham, China, and Malaysia. Its strengths lie in areas such as entrepreneurship, sustainability, and healthcare.
Nottingham has five main faculties, each containing over 50 schools, departments, institutes, and research centres. The university has more than 46,000 students and 7,000 staff members in the UK.
University Of Sheffield
Sheffield is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, renowned for its world-class research across disciplines. Its student-centric approach and active students’ union foster a dynamic academic community. The university is one of the original red-brick institutions and a founding member of the Russell Group.
It’s also part of the Worldwide Universities Network, the N8 Group of Northern England’s eight most research-intensive universities and the White Rose University Consortium. QS has ranked Sheffield among the top universities globally for the past fifteen years, placing it 66th and 104th.
Newcastle University
Nestled in the vibrant city of Newcastle upon Tyne, this university offers many academic opportunities and a thriving cultural scene. The university has three faculties: Humanities and Social Sciences, Medical Sciences, Science, Agriculture, and Engineering.
It offers about 175 full-time undergraduate degree programmes in various fields, including arts, sciences, engineering, and medicine, along with around 340 postgraduate taught and research programmes across multiple disciplines.
Queen Mary University Of London
As one of the leading institutions in the British capital, Queen Mary provides an exceptional educational experience. Queen Mary University of London was placed ar #135 in the list of Russell Group universities ranking by Times Higher Education. Approximately 32,000 students are enrolled across 21 academic schools and institutes, with over 40% hailing from more than 170 countries. Queen Mary awarded over £2 million in scholarships to prospective postgraduate students for the 2011/12 academic year.
University Of Exeter
Boasting a picturesque campus in the South West of England, Exeter offers a wealth of academic programmes complemented by a rich student experience. The university has four campuses: Streatham and St Luke’s in Exeter and Truro and Penryn in Cornwall. Primarily based in Exeter, the university is the city’s main higher education institution. Streatham is the largest campus, housing many of the university’s administrative buildings.
Cardiff University
Cardiff is a prestigious Welsh institution with a strong research profile established in 1883. Cardiff University is the sole Welsh member of the Russell Group, a collective of research-intensive British universities. Its faculty and alumni have included two heads of state or government and two Nobel Prize winners.
As of 2023, the university boasts 17 fellows of the Royal Society, 11 fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering, seven fellows of the British Academy, 21 fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and 32 fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences.
University Of York
This collegiate university, founded in 1963, has rapidly risen through the ranks to become one of the UK’s top institutions. York was among the early plate glass universities founded in the 1960s.
It operates a unique collegiate system consisting of 11 colleges as of 2022, with the latest addition being David Kato College, which opened its doors in the same year. Additionally, the university is affiliated with regional research associations such as the N8 Group and White Rose University Consortium, along with the national Russell Group.
University Of Liverpool
University of Liverpool was placed ar #168 in the list of Russell Group universities ranking by Times Higher Education. The university consists of three faculties divided into 35 departments and schools. It’s a founding member of the Russell Group and the N8 Group for research collaboration, with its management school holding triple crown accreditation. Notably, it boasts ten Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and past faculty, offering over 230 first-degree courses covering 103 subjects.
Queen’s University Belfast
As the leading university in Northern Ireland, Queen’s offers a wealth of academic opportunities coupled with a rich cultural heritage. At Queen’s, academic life is structured into fifteen schools spread across three faculties: the Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (AHSS); the Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (EPS); and the Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences (MHLS).
Top Courses At Russell Group Universities & Average Fees
Pursuing a degree at Russell Group University can be a transformative experience, providing students access to renowned faculty, advanced research opportunities, and an intellectual community like no other. However, it’s important to note that the prestige of these institutions often comes with higher tuition fees, reflecting the quality of education and resources provided.
| Russell Group University | Top Programmes | Average Tuition Fees |
| University of Cambridge | Natural Sciences, Medicine, Law | £14,600 |
| University of Oxford | Medicine, Law, English Language and Literature | £21,370 – £89,981 |
| Imperial College London | Engineering, Medicine, Business | £40,900 |
| The University of Edinburgh | Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Law | £13,550 |
| University of Manchester | Medicine, Law, Business Administration | £34,500 |
| King’s College London | Medicine, Law, Dentistry | £27,066 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | Economics, Politics, Law | £26,784 |
| University of Bristol | Engineering, Medicine, Law | £15,850 |
| University of Warwick | Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science | £18,480 |
| University of Leeds | Medicine, Law, English Literature | £23,000 |
| University of Glasgow | Medicine, Law, Veterinary Medicine | £16,350 |
| Durham University | Law, Theology, Archaeology | £24,900 |
| University of Southampton | Engineering, Medicine, Law | £15,200 to £16,700 |
| University of Birmingham | Medicine, Engineering, Law | £14,550 |
| University of Nottingham | Medicine, Engineering, Law | £17,500 – £29,950 |
| Queen Mary University of London | Law, Medicine, Dentistry | £27,900 |
| University of Exeter | English Literature, Law, Medicine | £21,500 to £41,500 |
| Cardiff University | Medicine, Law, Engineering | £17,700 to £28,450 |
| University of York | Law, Psychology, English Literature | £4,000 to £29,950 |
| University of Liverpool | Medicine, Law, Veterinary Science | £22,400 |
| Queen’s University Belfast | Law, Medicine, Engineering | £25,458 |
Difference Between Red-Brick & Russell Group Universities
You may have encountered the term “red-brick university” while researching institutions in the UK.
Historically, “red-brick universities” referred to schools in industrial areas known for their strong engineering programmes. Nowadays, that categorisation is hardly ever used, and students don’t really get any special perks from attending a former “red-brick” (though they are all part of the prestigious Russell Group now). The universities that fell under this label include:
- University of Birmingham
- The University of Liverpool
- University of Bristol
- University of Leeds
- The University of Sheffield
- University of Manchester
Advantages Of This List of Russell Group Universities & Ranking
Focus On Research
One of the main reasons why the Russell Group universities are so highly regarded is their focus on research. These universities are among the top research institutions in the world, with many of them receiving significant funding from the government and other sources. The funding allows them to attract top talent and invest in cutting-edge research facilities, which helps to ensure that they produce high-quality research and scholarship.
High Academic Standards
In addition to their focus on research, the Russell Group universities are also known for their high academic standards. These institutions have rigorous admission requirements and high expectations for their students, which helps to ensure that only the best and brightest can get into them. Their excellent facilities and resources also `1help to ensure that students receive a top-notch education.
Level Of prestige
Another major advantage of attending a Russell Group university is the level of prestige that comes with it. Graduates from these institutions are highly sought after by employers and often command higher salaries and better job prospects than graduates from other universities. This is due in part to the high academic standards and focus on research but also to the reputation and prestige of the institution.
Eligibility Criteria Of Russell Group Universities
- Conditions for English Language proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.
- Criminal record declaration (Disclosure Scotland for Scottish Universities / DBS).
- Health assessments cover diseases like TB and other relevant health concerns.
- Participation in entrance interviews.
- The personal statement is a crucial part of your UK university application. It should outline your post-graduation aspirations, educational objectives, and reasons for selecting the specific university.
Application Process
- Consider key factors such as accessibility, entry requirements, eligibility criteria, expenses, and rankings among Russell Group peers.
- Get your paperwork sorted, including UCAS applications, exam scores, academic transcripts, and personal statements.
- Send out those UCAS applications to your selected universities.
- Now, the waiting game begins. Sit tight for their responses.
Are Jobs Guaranteed For Graduates Of Russell Group Universities?
An honours degree from Russell Group University can certainly boost your resume and help advance your career prospects. Employers generally hold graduates from these institutions in high regard. That said, most recruiting managers care more about your actual performance in school, skills, and overall fit for the role.
In summary, the Russell Group universities are among the best and most prestigious in the United Kingdom. With a focus on research and high academic standards, these institutions offer world-class education and excellent student opportunities. If you’re considering applying to a university in the UK, the above-given list of Russell Group universities & ranking is worth considering.
FAQs
How many Russell Group universities are there?
There are 24 universities that come under the umbrella of the Russell Group.
What are the top 3 on the list of Russell Group universities ranking ?
The University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and the Imperial College London are the top 3 Russell Group universities.
Which Russell Group University has the highest acceptance rate?
Based on the data available, the University of Exeter is believed to have the highest acceptance rate (88.7%)
Which Russell Group uni is the easiest to get into?
The University of Nottingham and the University of Leeds have a higher offer rate and hence are the easiest to get into.
Thank you for reading this blog on ‘List Of Russell Group Universities & Ranking: A Complete Guide’. If you wish to learn more about top universities in the UK, check out these blogs:
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