Hi there,
That's great that you're considering Bath! Bath isn't a Russell Group uni because it is fairly small, fairly new and doesn't have as wide a range of courses. Russell Group unis are research-intensive unis, so whilst Bath does a huge amount of amazing research, it is a small uni so it isn't
as much as other larger universities. Being a good university and being a Russell Group university are not mutually exclusive. Despite not being Russell Group, Bath is considered one of the top universities in the UK, especially for STEM subjects and business/management.
Bath has one of the highest student satisfaction ratings of any UK uni, and it is in the top rankings for many courses. Due to our long-established placement programme, we have loads of industry connections such as McLaren, Disney, LLoyd's, GSK and more. As a result, our graduate prospects are high. All in all, Bath is an excellent and highly regarded university by employers, despite not being a Russell Group uni. So whilst Russell Group universities are amazing, there are non-Russell Group unis that are equally as amazing, if not more so.
Instead of focusing on whether or not a uni is ranked highly
overall, I'd suggest looking at rankings for your specific course, and for factors like student satisfaction. Some unis may rank highly overall, or be a Russell Group uni, but they may not be that reputable for your specific course. I'd also suggest looking at the universities you're considering from a more personal perspective, i.e. what does each uni offer that
you want (such as modules to study, nightlife and culture, placements, year abroad), as your personal desires and goals are more important than a uni ranking.
You may also find
this article helpful.
I hope this has helped, and please let me know if you have any more questions
Jessica, a third year NatSci student