Jasmine Grover Content Strategy Manager
Content Strategy Manager | Updated On - Nov 4, 2025
Dreaming of studying in UK at Oxford, Cambridge, or Imperial? The Russell Group represents the UK’s 24 most prestigious research universities — often called the “British Ivy League”. This guide covers everything Indian students need in 2026: rankings, fees, scholarships, acceptance rates, and insider tips. For Indian students, these universities offer:
- 94% graduate employment rate (HESA 2025)
- 2-year Post-Study Work Visa (3 for PhD)
- Scholarships up to £20,000 (₹22Lakhs)
- Direct Tier 4 → Skilled Worker route
Whether you want to know which universities are in the Russell Group, explore their latest global rankings, or understand why Russell Group universities matter, this comprehensive guide has got you covered.
Explore Complete Guide: Study in UK for Indian Students
What is the Russell Group Universities UK?
The Russell Group is an elite coalition of 24 public research universities in the UK, founded in 1994 at London’s Russell Hotel. These institutions drive 68% of the UK’s world-leading research and attract over 90,000 international students annually.
Fun Fact: 5 Russell Group universities rank in the global top 10 (QS 2026).
Why Are Russell Group Universities So Prestigious?
| Metric | Russell Group Impact |
|---|---|
| Research Funding | £4.5+ billion/year |
| Nobel Laureates | 100+ affiliated |
| Global Patents | 30% of UK total |
| Graduate Employability | 94% in high-skill jobs |
These universities are public, government-funded, and focused on research intensity — unlike the private, liberal-arts-heavy Ivy League in the US. They produce groundbreaking discoveries in medicine, AI, climate science, and policy.
How many Russell Universities are there? – Full List of 24 Russell Group Universities in UK
The Russell Group consists of 24 prestigious research-intensive universities across the UK. The full list includes
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Manchester
Choosing a Russell Group university means joining some of the most respected institutions in the UK, providing a strong foundation for global career success.
Check Out: Top Universities in UK
Russell Group Universities List: Top UK Universities for Indian Students
Here’s the complete list of the 24 Russell Group universities for Indian students in the United Kingdom:
| University | Location | Nickname | Notable Alumni |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Birmingham | England | Brum | Neville Chamberlain, Piers Morgan |
| University of Bristol | England | Brizzle | Simon Pegg, David Walliams |
| University of Cambridge | England | Cantab | Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking |
| Cardiff University | Wales | Cardiff | Huw Edwards, Neil Kinnock |
| Durham University | England | Dunelm | Jonathan Edwards, Gabby Logan |
| University of Edinburgh | Scotland | Edin | J.K. Rowling, Charles Darwin |
| University of Exeter | England | Exe | J.K. Rowling (studied French here) |
| University of Glasgow | Scotland | Glas | Adam Smith, Nicola Sturgeon |
| Imperial College London | England | Imperial | Alexander Fleming (penicillin) |
| King's College London | England | KCL | Desmond Tutu, Florence Nightingale |
| University of Leeds | England | Leeds | Chris Pine, Piers Morgan |
| University of Liverpool | England | L’pool | Stella McCartney, Ringo Starr |
| London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | England | LSE | Mick Jagger, 11 Nobel Prize winners |
| University of Manchester | England | Manc | Alan Turing, Benedict Cumberbatch |
| Newcastle University | England | Newcastle | Rowan Atkinson |
| University of Nottingham | England | Notts | D.H. Lawrence, Ruth Wilson |
| University of Oxford | England | Oxon | 25 UK PMs, Bill Clinton |
| Queen Mary University of London | England | QMUL | Peter Hennessy |
| Queen's University Belfast | N. Ireland | QUB | Seamus Heaney (Nobel Poet) |
| University of Sheffield | England | Sheffield | Eddie Izzard, Amy Winehouse (briefly) |
| University of Southampton | England | Soton | Adrian Newey (F1 designer) |
| UCL (University College London) | England | UCL | Mahatma Gandhi, Coldplay |
| University of Warwick | England | Warwick | Sting, Ruth Jones |
| University of York | England | York | Greg Dyke, Harry Corbett |
Pro tip: These universities are considered the top research-intensive institutions in the UK, attracting thousands of international students every year, including students from India.
Check Out: Acceptance Rate of Russell Group of Universities
Russell Group Universities Rankings 2026 & Fees
The Russell Group universities UK are consistently ranked among the top UK universities due to their research excellence, world-class teaching, and international collaborations. These universities are highly sought after by students from across the globe, particularly Indian students aiming for higher education in the UK.
| QS Ranking 2026 | University | Average Fees/ year |
|---|---|---|
| #76 | University of Birmingham | £ 21,360-35,850 (₹23,49,600–₹39,43,500) |
| #51 | University of Bristol | £ 20,700-48,300 (₹22,77,000–₹53,13,000) |
| #6 | University of Cambridge | £ 14,875-80,000 (₹16,36,250–₹88,00,000) |
| #181 | Cardiff University | £ 8,927-43,700 (₹9,81,970–₹48,07,000) |
| #94 | Durham University | £ 22,500-35,000 (₹24,75,000–₹38,50,000) |
| #34 | The University of Edinburgh | £ 25,800-51,400 (₹28,38,000–₹56,54,000) |
| #155 | University of Exeter | £ 15,000-45,700 (₹16,50,000–₹50,27,000) |
| #79 | University of Glasgow | £ 10,620-56,520 (₹11,68,200–₹62,17,200) |
| #2 | Imperial College London | £ 4,712-67,500 (₹5,18,320–₹74,25,000) |
| #31 | King's College London | £ 22,410-58,470 (₹24,65,100–₹64,31,700) |
| #86 | University of Leeds | £ 13,500-54,500 (₹14,85,000–₹59,95,000) |
| #147 | University of Liverpool | £ 22,400-44,550 (₹24,64,000–₹49,00,500) |
| #56 | The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | £ 27,480-44,928 (₹30,22,800–₹49,42,080) |
| #35 | The University of Manchester | £ 7,000-57,000 (₹7,70,000–₹62,70,000) |
| #137 | Newcastle University | £ 15,670-32,400 (₹17,23,700–₹35,64,000) |
| #97 | University of Nottingham | £ 21,500-44,000 (₹23,65,000–₹48,40,000) |
| #4 | University of Oxford | £ 23,580-83,770 (₹25,93,800–₹92,14,700) |
| #110 | Queen Mary University of London | £ 11,150-57,167 (₹12,26,500–₹62,88,370) |
| #199 | Queen's University Belfast | £ 19,100-28,700 (₹21,01,000–₹31,57,000) |
| #92 | The University of Sheffield | £ 22,680-32,350 (₹24,94,800–₹35,58,500) |
| #87 | University of Southampton | £ 12,100-33,500 (₹13,31,000–₹36,85,000) |
| #9 | University College London (UCL) | £ 8,630-61,800 (₹9,49,300–₹67,98,000) |
| #74 | University of Warwick | £ 18,744-53,750 (₹20,61,840–₹59,12,500) |
| #169 | University of York | £ 11,960-32,260 (₹13,15,600–₹35,48,600) |
Check Out: Russell Group Universities 2026 Rankings
Advantages of the Russell Group of Universities for Indian Students
The UK is globally recognised for its high-quality education system, and the Russell Group universities represent the very best it has to offer. But what makes Russell Group universities in the UK especially beneficial for Indian students?
- 94% graduate employment rate within 15 months
- 61% of UK’s degree-level jobs filled by RG graduates
- £87 billion annual economic impact
- Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV): 2 years (3 for PhD)
- Tier 4 to Skilled Worker route easier with RG degree
- Global alumni network in Google, UN, WHO, World Bank
- Scholarships for Indian students up to £20,000
Also check:
| UK Student Visa | Minimum IELTS Score for UK Student Visa | CAS Letter |
| How to Apply to UK Universities | Application Deadlines for UK Universities | Best Courses to Study in UK |
By now, you’re already familiar with the Russell Group's 24 universities. The number of Indian students in Russell Group universities like the University of Cambridge is 450 (Undergrad) and 500 (Postgrad). For the University of Oxford, the number of Indian students is 550. The Russell Group universities' ranking also proves that these universities are listed among the top global universities.
FAQs
Ques: Is MIM from the UK's Russell Group worthy?
Ans: Yes, MIM programs from Russell Group universities like LSE, Warwick, or Imperial are globally recognized. They offer strong academics, networking, and excellent career prospects, especially in management and consulting.
Ques: Does going to a Russell Group university matter in the UK?
Ans: Not always. Russell Group universities excel in research and employer recognition, but non-Russell Group institutions often lead in areas like creative arts, healthcare, or vocational courses. Field reputation is key.
Ques. Is St Andrews a Russell Group university?
Ans. No. St Andrews is highly ranked (top 100 globally) but not in the Russell Group.
Ques. Are all Russell Group universities in England?
Ans. No, 2 in Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow), 1 in Wales (Cardiff), 1 in Northern Ireland (Queen’s Belfast).
Ques. Which Russell Group university is easiest to get into?
Ans. Queen’s University Belfast (~30% acceptance) and Cardiff University (~28%).
Ques. Is LSE part of the Russell Group?
Ans. Yes. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a full member.
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