1. Home
2. UK University Application Information
3. Russell Group Universities

Who are the Russell Group? 

The Russell Group is the UK equivalent of the Ivy League in the United States, representing the interests of its members, as well as other further academic institutions, in UK political matters. The group also insures that they receive appropriate research grants and acts as a medium for academic institutions to cooperate and identify opportunities to work together.

Initially created in 1994, its initial 17 members established the group of research universities to represent their interests in the UK parliament. The group, named for their initial meeting place at Hotel Russell in London is now made up of 24 leading UK universities, with members from each nation in the UK. 

What makes the Russell Group stand out? 

The Russell Group provides the following statistics about their group:

• Were awarded 68% of World-leading UK research grants 
• A quarter of the UK's undergraduate students enrolled
• A third of the UK's postgraduate students enrolled  
• 4/5 Medical and Dental students are enrolled 
• 58% of Physical Science students are enrolled
• 63% of Math students are enrolled

Members of the Russell Group also have influence and a strong role within their local and regional communities, supply highly qualified and highly-motivated university graduates to the local workforce and collaborate with businesses and industry leaders on joint research projects. 

Who are the members of the Russell Group? 

Of the 24 members of the Russell Group, 20 are English Universities, 2 are Scottish, 1 university is Welsh and 1 is Northern Irish.

Full 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

Speak to an SI-UK Consultant to learn more about your options at Russell Group universities.