Our universities

The Russell Group’s 24 members are world-class, research-intensive universities. They are unique institutions, each with their own history and ethos, but they share some distinguishing characteristics.

Our universities believe people and ideas are the key to meeting global challenges. Through world-class research and education they are helping to create a dynamic economy, stronger communities and a better future for the UK. They maintain the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with local and national business and the public sector.

Russell Group universities have huge social, economic and cultural impacts locally, across the UK and around the globe:

  • They produce more than two-thirds of the world-leading research produced in UK universities and support more than 260,000 jobs across the country.
  • They inject nearly £87 billion into the national economy every year.
  • In 2018-19, 446,450 undergraduates and 155,655 postgraduates were studying at a Russell Group university.

Our members attract students and staff from around the world and work with major multinational businesses and international organisations:

  • 32% of students are of non-UK nationality, attracted to our universities by the quality, relevance and reputation of research.

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