The Russell Group is a collection of twenty-four public research universities in the United Kingdom, who have voluntarily come together as a group. Its headquarters are located in Cambridge and it was established in 1994 to serve as a voice for its members, primarily to the government and Parliament. In 2007, the Group was officially established as an incorporated organization. The Russell Group gets its name from the place where the initial gatherings of the Group occurred, specifically at the Hotel Russell located in Russell Square, London.
The Russell Group, comprising 24 premier universities in the United Kingdom, holds the conviction that individuals and their ideas are crucial in addressing worldwide challenges. By offering excellent research and education, the Group aims to cultivate a thriving economy, foster robust communities, and shape a brighter future for the UK. The universities in the Group, known for their research excellence, are significant contributors to the UK’s intellectual landscape and have extensive local, national, and international effects on society, economics, and culture.
Russell Group Universities and their Rankings
The list of 24 prestigious universities along with their rankings are provided here.
| University | Year of Joining the Russell Group | QS Ranking 2026 (Global) | THE Ranking 2026 (Global) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. University of Birmingham | 1994 | 76 | 98 |
| 2. University of Bristol | 1994 | 51 | 80 |
| 3. University of Cambridge | 1994 | 6 | 3 |
| 4. Cardiff University | 1998 | 181 | 201-250 |
| 5. Durham University | 2012 | 94 | 175 |
| 6. University of Edinburg | 1994 | 34 | 29 |
| 7. University of Exeter | 2012 | 155 | 170 |
| 8. University of Glasgow | 1994 | 79 | 84 |
| 9. Imperial College London | 1994 | 2 | 8 |
| 10. King’s College London | 1998 | 31 | 38 |
| 11. University of Leeds | 1994 | 86 | 118 |
| 12. University of Liverpool | 1994 | 147 | 143 |
| 13. London School of Economics and political Science (LSE) | 1994 | 56 | 52 |
| 14. University of Manchester | 1994 | 35 | 56 |
| 15. Newcastle University | 1994 | 137 | 144 |
| 16. University of Nottingham | 1994 | 97 | 145 |
| 17. University of Oxford | 1994 | 4 | 1 |
| 18. Queen Mary University of London | 2012 | 110 | 134 |
| 19. Queen’s University Belfast | 2006 | 199 | 198 |
| 20. University of Sheffield | 1994 | 92 | 108 |
| 21. University of Southampton | 1994 | 87 | 129 |
| 22. University College London (UCL) | 1994 | 9 | 22 |
| 23. University of Warwick | 1994 | 74 | 122 |
| 24. University of York | 2012 | 169 | 154 |
The Russell Group universities have a powerful impact on the UK economy, contributing around £37.6 billion each year through research and innovation activities and supporting more than 250,000 jobs . They produce about 68% of the UK’s world-leading research and play a vital role in developing high-level skills. These universities educate a large share of the country’s students, including most of those studying engineering and train around four out of five doctors and dentists who go on to serve in the UK’s healthcare system.
Although the universities themselves have varying histories, with some established for over 900 years, the Russell Group as an organization is relatively recent, having been established in 2007 by the heads of the member universities.
The Group’s purpose is to promote and support the optimal conditions for the universities to continue their world-leading research and education and make their social, economic, and cultural impacts. The Russell Group provides its member institutions with services including strategic planning, policy creation, information dissemination, communication support, and advocacy representation.
