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Do Russell Group universities really matter as much as people say
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Jamie28282
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#1
I am applying for Economics at uni and have my sights set on the like of Surrey, Loughborough and Coventry all of which have some of the best economics courses in the UK, however a lot of friends and family repeatedly say "the only universities worth applying to are russell group universities", but do they matter that much?
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JDieMstr
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#2
Welp, they are well-known, I'll give you that.They're certainly high up in the rankings as well but they do lack in specific areas....*cough*certain course ranking/reputation*cough*.....
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Jamie28282
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#3
(Original post by JDieMstr)
Welp, they are well-known, I'll give you that.They're certainly high up in the rankings as well but they do lack in specific areas....*cough*certain course ranking/reputation*cough*.....
Welp, they are well-known, I'll give you that.They're certainly high up in the rankings as well but they do lack in specific areas....*cough*certain course ranking/reputation*cough*.....
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username2281303
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#4
(Original post by Jamie28282)
I am applying for Economics at uni and have my sights set on the like of Surrey, Loughborough and Coventry all of which have some of the best economics courses in the UK, however a lot of friends and family repeatedly say "the only universities worth applying to are russell group universities", but do they matter that much?
I am applying for Economics at uni and have my sights set on the like of Surrey, Loughborough and Coventry all of which have some of the best economics courses in the UK, however a lot of friends and family repeatedly say "the only universities worth applying to are russell group universities", but do they matter that much?
BBC released an article this year on how on average people with Russel Group Uni degrees have higher salaries. Having said this, it will never purely depend on your University alone. Depends on the type of degree you get (first class, 2:1, etc) and how hard you work, and whether there are any work experience oppurtunities
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Ray_Shadows
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#5
(Original post by Jamie28282)
I am applying for Economics at uni and have my sights set on the like of Surrey, Loughborough and Coventry all of which have some of the best economics courses in the UK, however a lot of friends and family repeatedly say "the only universities worth applying to are russell group universities", but do they matter that much?
I am applying for Economics at uni and have my sights set on the like of Surrey, Loughborough and Coventry all of which have some of the best economics courses in the UK, however a lot of friends and family repeatedly say "the only universities worth applying to are russell group universities", but do they matter that much?
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MajorFader
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#6
I believe a Russel group is a university where a lot of research takes place (correct me if I am wrong). TBRH the job market is more about experience, the degree you graduate with, and to a lesser extent the university you graduate from. However, the degree does matter because it provides a base for employers to filter you out.
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Jamie28282
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#7
(Original post by ZiggyStardust_)
Hmm...depends on what you're looking for.
BBC released an article this year on how on average people with Russel Group Uni degrees have higher salaries. Having said this, it will never purely depend on your University alone. Depends on the type of degree you get (first class, 2:1, etc) and how hard you work, and whether there are any work experience oppurtunities
Hmm...depends on what you're looking for.
BBC released an article this year on how on average people with Russel Group Uni degrees have higher salaries. Having said this, it will never purely depend on your University alone. Depends on the type of degree you get (first class, 2:1, etc) and how hard you work, and whether there are any work experience oppurtunities
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JDieMstr
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#8
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#8
(Original post by Jamie28282)
right thats what i was thinking as looking at some of the rankings most russell group unis are dominated in economics by other non russell group unis
right thats what i was thinking as looking at some of the rankings most russell group unis are dominated in economics by other non russell group unis
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Jamie28282
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#9
(Original post by MajorFader)
I believe a Russel group is a university where a lot of research takes place (correct me if I am wrong). TBRH the job market is more about experience, the degree you graduate with, and to a lesser extent the university you graduate from. However, the degree does matter because it provides a base for employers to filter you out.
I believe a Russel group is a university where a lot of research takes place (correct me if I am wrong). TBRH the job market is more about experience, the degree you graduate with, and to a lesser extent the university you graduate from. However, the degree does matter because it provides a base for employers to filter you out.
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username2281303
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#10
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#10
(Original post by Jamie28282)
Thats what my head of applications said aswell, as long as you come out with a good degree i.e 1st/2:1 from a good uni russell group or not, your still set for a strong career
Thats what my head of applications said aswell, as long as you come out with a good degree i.e 1st/2:1 from a good uni russell group or not, your still set for a strong career
what's your top Uni that you'd like to go to currently??
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Jamie28282
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#11
(Original post by ZiggyStardust_)
you should definitely listen to your teacher!
what's your top Uni that you'd like to go to currently??
you should definitely listen to your teacher!
what's your top Uni that you'd like to go to currently??
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returnmigrant
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#12
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#12
'Russell Group' is a marketing term thought up by the older Unis when the Polytechnics got University status. Yes, that is all its about - marketing.
You will find that many parents and teachers latch on to RG thing simply because they have no real awareness that the whole University sector has moved on since they were at school/Uni and doesnt have this Old/New University divide any more. Employers are not impressed by 'Russell Group' - they dont use this to sift job applications, and those Universities themselves dont discriminate on this basis with their own employees.
Choose the course that interests you, and a Uni where you will feel comfortable. Pick 5 sensible, realistic choices. Its you going to Uni - not them.
You will find that many parents and teachers latch on to RG thing simply because they have no real awareness that the whole University sector has moved on since they were at school/Uni and doesnt have this Old/New University divide any more. Employers are not impressed by 'Russell Group' - they dont use this to sift job applications, and those Universities themselves dont discriminate on this basis with their own employees.
Choose the course that interests you, and a Uni where you will feel comfortable. Pick 5 sensible, realistic choices. Its you going to Uni - not them.
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sr90
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#13
I've completed 3 years of university and have almost 3 years professional experience in graduate level employment.
Still yet to hear "Russell Group" mentioned anywhere outside of TSR.
Still yet to hear "Russell Group" mentioned anywhere outside of TSR.
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Jamie28282
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#14
(Original post by returnmigrant)
'Russell Group' is a marketing term thought up by the older Unis when the Polytechnics got University status. Yes, that is all its about - marketing.
You will find that many parents and teachers latch on to RG thing simply because they have no real awareness that the whole University sector has moved on since they were at school/Uni and doesnt have this Old/New University divide any more. Employers are not impressed by 'Russell Group' - they dont use this to sift job applications, and those Universities themselves dont discriminate on this basis with their own employees.
Choose the course that interests you, and a Uni where you will feel comfortable. Pick 5 sensible, realistic choices. Its you going to Uni - not them.
'Russell Group' is a marketing term thought up by the older Unis when the Polytechnics got University status. Yes, that is all its about - marketing.
You will find that many parents and teachers latch on to RG thing simply because they have no real awareness that the whole University sector has moved on since they were at school/Uni and doesnt have this Old/New University divide any more. Employers are not impressed by 'Russell Group' - they dont use this to sift job applications, and those Universities themselves dont discriminate on this basis with their own employees.
Choose the course that interests you, and a Uni where you will feel comfortable. Pick 5 sensible, realistic choices. Its you going to Uni - not them.
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Doones
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#15
(Original post by Jamie28282)
I am applying for Economics at uni and have my sights set on the like of Surrey, Loughborough and Coventry all of which have some of the best economics courses in the UK, however a lot of friends and family repeatedly say "the only universities worth applying to are russell group universities", but do they matter that much?
I am applying for Economics at uni and have my sights set on the like of Surrey, Loughborough and Coventry all of which have some of the best economics courses in the UK, however a lot of friends and family repeatedly say "the only universities worth applying to are russell group universities", but do they matter that much?
The name of your university is not that important...
Source: http://www.cbi.org.uk/index.cfm/_api...44798DD5B15E77
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Jamie28282
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#16
(Original post by Doonesbury)
What matters to most recruiters hiring graduates for most jobs:
![Name: Exhibit 7.5 - factors for grads.png
Views: 1013
Size: 98.9 KB]()
The name of your university is not that important...
Source: http://www.cbi.org.uk/index.cfm/_api...44798DD5B15E77
What matters to most recruiters hiring graduates for most jobs:
The name of your university is not that important...
Source: http://www.cbi.org.uk/index.cfm/_api...44798DD5B15E77
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Doones
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#17
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#17
That said, on what basis are you deciding that "Surrey, Loughborough and Coventry ... have some of the best economics courses in the UK"? There's more than one league table and league tables shouldn't be your only resource...
Have you visited them, and others? Spoken to current students? Checked the detailed courses - do they cover what you are most interested in? etc, etc.
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Jamie28282
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#18
(Original post by Doonesbury)
No problem.
That said, on what basis are you deciding that "Surrey, Loughborough and Coventry ... have some of the best economics courses in the UK"? There's more than one league table and league tables shouldn't be your only resource...
Have you visited them, and others? Spoken to current students? Checked the detailed courses - do they cover what you are most interested in? etc, etc.
No problem.
That said, on what basis are you deciding that "Surrey, Loughborough and Coventry ... have some of the best economics courses in the UK"? There's more than one league table and league tables shouldn't be your only resource...
Have you visited them, and others? Spoken to current students? Checked the detailed courses - do they cover what you are most interested in? etc, etc.
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username3675786
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#19
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#19
(Original post by Doonesbury)
What matters to most recruiters hiring graduates for most jobs:
![Name: Exhibit 7.5 - factors for grads.png
Views: 1013
Size: 98.9 KB]()
The name of your university is not that important...
Source: http://www.cbi.org.uk/index.cfm/_api...44798DD5B15E77
What matters to most recruiters hiring graduates for most jobs:
The name of your university is not that important...
Source: http://www.cbi.org.uk/index.cfm/_api...44798DD5B15E77
https://www.timeshighereducation.com...ates-earn-most
A table from this link shows the highest median salaries after 5 years in 22 subject areas. Oxbridge, LSE and imperial ‘typical top unis’ have 13 of those spots. And they don’t actually fully offer 5/6 of them. So it’s 13/16-17 that’s pretty damn remarkable for 4 universities.
While I do think classification is more important, names sadly do still bare weight. I imagine that survey had some selection bias. Also, it would be scandalous for the CBI to be viewed as outright elitist in 2017.
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username3675786
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#20
As I commented earlier check this link for the data
https://www.timeshighereducation.com...ates-earn-most
It shows the median graduate earnings for 22 subject areas after 5 years. The most typically ‘prestigious’ unis, Oxbridge, LSE and Imperial, offer 16/17 of these subject areas. They are top in 13/16-17, I must admit that’s pretty damn remarkable and shows even in 2017 prestige does still play a factor. Either that or these unis simply give more opportunities and provides better graduates, right? Which therefore legitimises their prestige.
https://www.timeshighereducation.com...ates-earn-most
It shows the median graduate earnings for 22 subject areas after 5 years. The most typically ‘prestigious’ unis, Oxbridge, LSE and Imperial, offer 16/17 of these subject areas. They are top in 13/16-17, I must admit that’s pretty damn remarkable and shows even in 2017 prestige does still play a factor. Either that or these unis simply give more opportunities and provides better graduates, right? Which therefore legitimises their prestige.
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