Is it important to go to a Russell group university if you want a career in research?

I’m thinking about applying to study physics at st Andrews however I know it’s not Russell group which means, if I’ve understood correctly, it doesn’t do research. I’m interested in having research experience (like internships and research projects) throughout my undergraduate course so would it be a mistake applying to St Andrews? Thank you!

Going to St Andrews will not limit your future research career.

no, not RG doesn't mean doesn't do research, any university you look at will do research, even if you go to the very bottom of the league tables. (though it might be true that some universities are less research intensive than others, it's still an integral part of what a university does) That said if St. Andrews doesn't have a strong research department you might want to go elsewhere. It's not a complete dealbreaker, since you could go elsewhere for a masters and PhD (and people often do have to move for a PhD), but it might help if you want to do summer research under a big name prof.

Lancaster is big on physics I seem to remember and is not RG.

Yeah I did get the feeling that I had misinterpreted what RG meant.
Thank you that’s helpful

I’m thinking about applying to study physics at st Andrews however I know it’s not Russell group which means, if I’ve understood correctly, it doesn’t do research. I’m interested in having research experience (like internships and research projects) throughout my undergraduate course so would it be a mistake applying to St Andrews? Thank you!

Hi @j_324!

That's so exciting that you're thinking about applying to study physics! Although I may be a bit biased as I have just finished my own physics degree haha.

I wouldn't let the Russell group label concern you too much. Lancaster isn't Russell group either but, definitely does research so that's not what the Russell group label means.

Personally, I have done a research internship in the summer after my first year, plenty of labs in all years, a group particle research project in my 3rd year, a Master's year with an experimental research project and will be starting a PhD in Physics at Lancaster (specialising in low temperature physics) in the autumn. So in my experience, you can definitely start a career in physics research at a non Russell group uni.

Hope that helps!

-Tineke
4th year physics student, Lancaster University Student Ambassador

Hi, having a PhD lined up I’d say is very exciting too!
Thanks a lot, that was really helpful and good to hear that you got a lot of research experience

I’m thinking about applying to study physics at st Andrews however I know it’s not Russell group which means, if I’ve understood correctly, it doesn’t do research. I’m interested in having research experience (like internships and research projects) throughout my undergraduate course so would it be a mistake applying to St Andrews? Thank you!

Andrews is a top uni.

Oh yes I absolutely appreciate that!! I know their teaching is really top in the UK but I was just wondering about the research experience

Tineke's definitely right about research experience at Lancaster. My eldest daughter has just finished second year and she got voluntary internship in first year inTau neutrinos research and just finished a paid one this year for the uni and DUNE for researching into proton decay, and have got some really good findings. Having a good relationship with your supervisor and speaking to them about wanting to actively search for work experience, they will help you Her first year was 2020 covid times and even when it was online back then, she found the lecturers amazing and engaging. She had a tough time in Feb/March 2022 personally, and the support she got was brilliant from that department.
I cant stress enough how good that uni is for physics.