Do Russel Group unis make a difference?

I have been researching unis and my favourites at the moment have to be LIverpool and Edinburgh. All the ones I have looked at are Russel Group, as I feel like going to other ones (such as Liverpool John Moores) won’t provide the same opportunities - both during my degree and also applying for jobs. Is this partly true or is it just a stereotype? Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

BankaiGintoki

21

Original post by avawetherall

I have been researching unis and my favourites at the moment have to be LIverpool and Edinburgh. All the ones I have looked at are Russel Group, as I feel like going to other ones (such as Liverpool John Moores) won’t provide the same opportunities - both during my degree and also applying for jobs. Is this partly true or is it just a stereotype? Thanks :smile:

Stereotype.
It is up to you to take advantage of any opportunities (summer placement, volunteering, societies, activities… to enhance your employability).

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

PQ

PS Reviewer

21

The Russell group is a club of research focused universities. That means they take money from tuition fees (millions of pounds) and use them to fund research instead of teaching.

In many cases the RG will provide a worse experience of teaching - they get away with it because they attract lots of highly qualified and motivated students who can manage without good teaching.

Employers don’t know which universities are members of the RG club - hardly anyone outside a nerdy group of university staff (and applicants) does.

Reply 3

totallyfine

12

Its a stereotype. Look at student satisfaction ratings to help get a feel for a course.

Reply 4

user488949439

19

Original post by totallyfine

Its a stereotype. Look at student satisfaction ratings to help get a feel for a course.

Student satisfaction rates are very unreliable and are not a good source to follow. Students make decisions on personal circumstances and some who havent done as well as they hoped rate the university poorly. Anybody looking at these figures needs to treat them with caution especially subject ratings which are more likely to be affected due to the small numbers taking part. RG is a complete waste of time and relying on any form of rankings isnt the best way to decide where to apply. The are universities outside the RG as good as or better than those within it.

Reply 5

Wired_1800

20

Original post by avawetherall

I have been researching unis and my favourites at the moment have to be LIverpool and Edinburgh. All the ones I have looked at are Russel Group, as I feel like going to other ones (such as Liverpool John Moores) won’t provide the same opportunities - both during my degree and also applying for jobs. Is this partly true or is it just a stereotype? Thanks :smile:

It is stereotype, as the quality of education would largely be the same due to standards.

The main benefit of Russell Group unis is the reputation that can help one during job applications etc.

Reply 6

McGinger

20

As above, its all a bit of myth set up by the older Unis when the 'Polys' got Uni status and the older Unis were scared of loosing market share. That was 30 years ago.

Everyone has moved on since then, and there are vast numbers of excellent Unis that were never part of RG who are turning out graduates that employers want to employ. Unis like St Andrews, Bath, Loughborough, Leicester etc are not part of RG and it doesnt seem to have held their graduates back - quite the reverse.

•

Go to Open Days. Look around. Ask questions.

•

Think carefully about each course and what it includes.

•

Ask about work placements, year aboard and any other 'extras' on offer.

•

And ask where their graduates are now - working, further study etc.

Then make your own decision about where you will be happiest - its isnt a 'show off' contest, its about picking the right Uni for you, and for the right reasons for you.

Reply 7

avawetherall

OP

8

Original post by McGinger

As above, its all a bit of myth set up by the older Unis when the 'Polys' got Uni status and the older Unis were scared of loosing market share. That was 30 years ago.
Everyone has moved on since then, and there are vast numbers of excellent Unis that were never part of RG who are turning out graduates that employers want to employ. Unis like St Andrews, Bath, Loughborough, Leicester etc are not part of RG and it doesnt seem to have held their graduates back - quite the reverse.

•

Go to Open Days. Look around. Ask questions.

•

Think carefully about each course and what it includes.

•

Ask about work placements, year aboard and any other 'extras' on offer.

•

And ask where their graduates are now - working, further study etc.

Then make your own decision about where you will be happiest - its isnt a 'show off' contest, its about picking the right Uni for you, and for the right reasons for you.

Thank you so much :smile:

Reply 8

avawetherall

OP

8

Original post by Wired_1800

It is stereotype, as the quality of education would largely be the same due to standards.
The main benefit of Russell Group unis is the reputation that can help one during job applications etc.

Thank you

Reply 9

totallyfine

12

Original post by swanseajack1

Student satisfaction rates are very unreliable and are not a good source to follow. Students make decisions on personal circumstances and some who havent done as well as they hoped rate the university poorly. Anybody looking at these figures needs to treat them with caution especially subject ratings which are more likely to be affected due to the small numbers taking part. RG is a complete waste of time and relying on any form of rankings isnt the best way to decide where to apply. The are universities outside the RG as good as or better than those within it.

Fair point, that does make sense.

Do Russel Group unis make a difference?

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