You may have likely come across the term ‘Russell Group’ when searching for universities, rankings or through league tables. So what does the Russell Group actually do and what do they represent?

The Russell Group is the prestigious association of 24 universities in the United Kingdom. The group was originally founded in 1994 and their first preliminary meetings at a London hotel in Russell Square inspired their name.  They are well known for their world-class and research intensive universities, as well as their high profile reputations and notable academic achievements. Similar to the Ivy League, they are perceived as the elite group of universities in the UK and are featured in top ranking global lists. In their own words the Russell Group: 

‘represents 24 leading UK universities which are committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector’.

Throughout the 2018/2019 academic year, it was reported that 446,450 undergraduates and 155,655 postgraduates were studying at a Russell Group university. 

List of Russell Group Universities 

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 and Political Science 

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