Prestigious Uni or Good Grades?

Which matters more? Going to one of the top Russell Group Universities or going to a non-Russell group and achieving high grades?
Would an employer potentially prefer someone who went to King's College London compared to someone who went to Bedfordshire?

I don’t want to spoil the fun, but literally, no employer has ever asked me about my degree grade, whether it’s first class, 2.2, or 3, seriously. I think prestige does matter here.

Which employers have you applied to?
I don’t think I’ve seen a formal application form that doesn’t ask for the grades/results of qualifications listed.

Which employers have you applied to?
I don’t think I’ve seen a formal application form that doesn’t ask for the grades/results of qualifications listed.

I work at the British museum, previously the royal collections

Did you apply using a CV + letter or an application form?

No, at such prestigious institutions you don’t send a CV. It’s always an application form you have to fill out on their website.

Which asks for your degree classification (“Subject and grades”)

Was the application form substantially different when you applied?

Literally no one has ever asked me that. I do believe it’s for people with only GCSEs, since they hire students as well

No, at such prestigious institutions you don’t send a CV. It’s always an application form you have to fill out on their website.

Firstly I wouldn't agree that it necessarily follows that a "good grade" is easier to get at a "non-prestigious" university. Secondly, not only are many if not most employers agnostic to where you studied, I don't actually think having a 1st vs just a standard 2:1 is going to make much of any difference in most professional fields. For most grad schemes the degree (and classification) are just a tick box along the lines of "Does the applicant have a degree at 2:1 or above yes or no? If yes, proceed with reviewing the CV/application materials otherwise. If no, do not consider further."
Realistically what will make the difference is what you do to make yourself employable by developing relevant transferable skills and, most importantly, securing appropriate experience through internships/vacation schemes/etc as applicable to your sector. Debatably some more "prestigious" universities may be able to have links to a wider range of options and/or have a larger or more engaged alumni base to leverage for networking to explore internship options etc. This may be particularly true for certain sectors (e.g. investment banking, management consulting, heritage/arts, and similar areas).
Note also for some areas it really doesn't matter at all provided you graduate in the first place, e.g. medicine.
Essentially I think you're setting up a false dichotomy and focusing too much on that rather than the actual issues you would face as a graduate looking for a job.

Which matters more? Going to one of the top Russell Group Universities or going to a non-Russell group and achieving high grades?
Would an employer potentially prefer someone who went to King's College London compared to someone who went to Bedfordshire?

Which matters more? Going to one of the top Russell Group Universities or going to a non-Russell group and achieving high grades?
Would an employer potentially prefer someone who went to King's College London compared to someone who went to Bedfordshire?

Firstly I wouldn't agree that it necessarily follows that a "good grade" is easier to get at a "non-prestigious" university. Secondly, not only are many if not most employers agnostic to where you studied, I don't actually think having a 1st vs just a standard 2:1 is going to make much of any difference in most professional fields. For most grad schemes the degree (and classification) are just a tick box along the lines of "Does the applicant have a degree at 2:1 or above yes or no? If yes, proceed with reviewing the CV/application materials otherwise. If no, do not consider further."
Realistically what will make the difference is what you do to make yourself employable by developing relevant transferable skills and, most importantly, securing appropriate experience through internships/vacation schemes/etc as applicable to your sector. Debatably some more "prestigious" universities may be able to have links to a wider range of options and/or have a larger or more engaged alumni base to leverage for networking to explore internship options etc. This may be particularly true for certain sectors (e.g. investment banking, management consulting, heritage/arts, and similar areas).
Note also for some areas it really doesn't matter at all provided you graduate in the first place, e.g. medicine.
Essentially I think you're setting up a false dichotomy and focusing too much on that rather than the actual issues you would face as a graduate looking for a job.