Are Russell Group Universities actually poor quality?
I know they're meant to be prestigious, but from personal experience I've discovered that two universities in the group don't have full disabled access (especially if you need a car because of your disability) and don't even invest in a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). A VLE lets you access the university network from home - it shows exactly what you'd see on a computer at your university campus and saving documents is easier. You can edit and save just as you would sitting at a university campus computer. A number of non-Russell Group universities have VLEs.
By contrast, two Russell Group universities have a ridiculously clunky "access your local drive from home" system, where you have to download and upload files - so every time you want to make changes, you have to download it from your drive (G drive, M drive, Q drive - some sort of drive with a letter etc., depending on your university), edit it, then upload it again and delete the old file.
Both universities also use the cheapest, clunkiest e-mail system - Outlook (the online version). Years ago, I changed from that because of how horrible it was on computers that aren't mega fast.
Both universities also seem very disorganised, leaving things to the last minute. Now sure, lots of universities are like that, but with the problems detailed herein, what's so special about Russell Group universities?
I know there are some awful non-Russell Group universities such as Edge Hill University and Bolton University, but have the Russell Group universities rested on their laurels for too long and they're actually now poor quality compared to universities that provide a supportive environment? Have they just been riding on their reputation instead of actually improving the student experience?
By contrast, two Russell Group universities have a ridiculously clunky "access your local drive from home" system, where you have to download and upload files - so every time you want to make changes, you have to download it from your drive (G drive, M drive, Q drive - some sort of drive with a letter etc., depending on your university), edit it, then upload it again and delete the old file.
Both universities also use the cheapest, clunkiest e-mail system - Outlook (the online version). Years ago, I changed from that because of how horrible it was on computers that aren't mega fast.
Both universities also seem very disorganised, leaving things to the last minute. Now sure, lots of universities are like that, but with the problems detailed herein, what's so special about Russell Group universities?
I know there are some awful non-Russell Group universities such as Edge Hill University and Bolton University, but have the Russell Group universities rested on their laurels for too long and they're actually now poor quality compared to universities that provide a supportive environment? Have they just been riding on their reputation instead of actually improving the student experience?
(edited 9 months ago)
Original post by HonestStudent
I know they're meant to be prestigious, but from personal experience I've discovered that two universities in the group don't have full disabled access (especially if you need a car because of your disability) and don't even invest in a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). A VLE lets you access the university network from home - it shows exactly what you'd see on a computer at your university campus and saving documents is easier. You can edit and save just as you would sitting at a university campus computer. A number of non-Russell Group universities have VLEs.
By contrast, two Russell Group universities have a ridiculously clunky "access your local drive from home" system, where you have to download and upload files - so every time you want to make changes, you have to download it from your drive (G drive, M drive, Q drive - some sort of drive with a letter etc., depending on your university), edit it, then upload it again and delete the old file.
Both universities also use the cheapest, clunkiest e-mail system - Outlook (the online version). Years ago, I changed from that because of how horrible it was on computers that aren't mega fast.
Both universities also seem very disorganised, leaving things to the last minute. Now sure, lots of universities are like that, but with the problems detailed herein, what's so special about Russell Group universities?
I know there are some awful non-Russell Group universities such as Edge Hill University and Bolton University, but have the Russell Group universities rested on their laurels for too long and they're actually now poor quality compared to universities that provide a supportive environment? Have they just been riding on their reputation instead of actually improving the student experience?
By contrast, two Russell Group universities have a ridiculously clunky "access your local drive from home" system, where you have to download and upload files - so every time you want to make changes, you have to download it from your drive (G drive, M drive, Q drive - some sort of drive with a letter etc., depending on your university), edit it, then upload it again and delete the old file.
Both universities also use the cheapest, clunkiest e-mail system - Outlook (the online version). Years ago, I changed from that because of how horrible it was on computers that aren't mega fast.
Both universities also seem very disorganised, leaving things to the last minute. Now sure, lots of universities are like that, but with the problems detailed herein, what's so special about Russell Group universities?
I know there are some awful non-Russell Group universities such as Edge Hill University and Bolton University, but have the Russell Group universities rested on their laurels for too long and they're actually now poor quality compared to universities that provide a supportive environment? Have they just been riding on their reputation instead of actually improving the student experience?
Don't forget that Russell Group is just a group of research intensive universities.
There are unis like Bath, St Andrews and Loughborough which are much better than many of them.
Reply 2
In my experience the infrastructure at RG universities tends stronger, due to the research funding for facilities.
IT is fairly standard across the board. Most places use one of the major platforms typically Microsoft education and thus storing and accessing files is done using onedrive and email is outlook, TBH ive seen plenty of non-RG use the exact same and many of the largest multi-national technology organisations also use this IT infrastructure. There are pros & cons to all of them but its capabilities, ecosystem functionality and ease of use make it a sensible choice.
As for working off specific drives, generally most universities enable a cloud platform such as onedrive (all the RG unis I studied and worked at did at least), ofc there are specific times this is not possible such as using high performance computing however these generally are niche applications.
I do agree on administration and student services, I did find the non-RG university i spent time in was far sharper on the student admin then the RG unis I was in.
IT is fairly standard across the board. Most places use one of the major platforms typically Microsoft education and thus storing and accessing files is done using onedrive and email is outlook, TBH ive seen plenty of non-RG use the exact same and many of the largest multi-national technology organisations also use this IT infrastructure. There are pros & cons to all of them but its capabilities, ecosystem functionality and ease of use make it a sensible choice.
As for working off specific drives, generally most universities enable a cloud platform such as onedrive (all the RG unis I studied and worked at did at least), ofc there are specific times this is not possible such as using high performance computing however these generally are niche applications.
I do agree on administration and student services, I did find the non-RG university i spent time in was far sharper on the student admin then the RG unis I was in.
(edited 9 months ago)
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- How is Loughborough a top 10 uni?
- Russel group or Non Russel group uni
- Is Russell Group the UK Ivy League?
- help in choosing the right university
- Is it a must to go to a Russel Group university?
- Russell Group universities are actually very good. We should stop dismissing them.
- Am I able to get into a russel group with these grades?
- Russel group universities
- Russel group degree apprenticeships
- Choosing Uni for Law Dilemma
- I'm thinking of resitting y12 can I go to a Russell group for law
- Should the Russell Group break into two tiers?
- Do i have a shot of getting into russel groups with AS level grades aabb or abbb?
- is Russell group university still as good as before?
- UK Universities on the brink of Bankruptcy?
- Law degree
- Need help for career
- Why university rankings don't matter
- Best Uni for Engineering?
- Would going to Keele not be worth it?
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 month ago
Sign this petition to scrap 2025 gcses - legit govt petition sign plsLast reply 1 month ago
Should we stop fining parents for taking children on holiday during term time?Last reply 1 month ago
Please be aware of my qualification message about " shelf-life "Last reply 1 month ago
Which one is better?University of Manchester or University of WarwickPosted 2 months ago
Why is queen mary university of london censoring a visa scandal?
