Russell Group Universities?

WolfSong2000

I went to one and have gotten at least 2 interviews (and one job offer) because of that - interviewers actually specifically highlighted that at interview, which I found rather odd. I know at least one investment bank in London also has an "old boys" network with this uni - if you went, and you want to work there, you get a leg-up. Again, I know because I went to an alumni event held at this bank's offices in London and they blatantly said it.

So for connections and additional opportunities it can be worthwhile, but it wouldn't be my only consideration when choosing a university.

bylromarha

When I went to Warwick many years ago, we had all the high end employers come to us and try to persuade us to apply to them. These employers only went to 10-15 universities to sell their wares. All were Russell Group.

Loved it as they had free presentations with free food and drink. Great way to set yourself up for an evening at the union.

Armorica

Major graduate employer obviously know who the russell group universities are. While it's a formal association, essentially it's the older, research based universities that have had consistently good reputations for many years across a broad range of subject. It's a reasonable proxy for a good education. To the extent the milkround still exists, these are the ones that are all but guaranteed visits from major employers.

The core of the group are Oxford/Cambridge/LSE and the red-brick universities based in industrial towns and a handful of others.

The next generation were the universities created in the 60s
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_glass_university

And then the 1990s as the ex-polys converted http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_universities

Some institutitions have moved up/down from their instinctive ranking, but this is still essentially the 'class system' that people will have in mind (rightly or wrongly)

Poppy9

So a first in psychology from say UWE would be seen as inferior to a 2.2. from UOB?

VJsmum

InsideInsurance wrote: »

a 2.1 in Maths and you'll probably find less questions being asked than if you got a 1st in Puppetry

Unless you want to be a puppeteer

I teach on a vocational degree at a 1990s university. Personally I wish they were still called poly's then we would all know where we were. My degree course is not offered at a Russell group uni. All my graduates from last year are either employed or in continuing education in a higher level degree.

I have taught in a masters course at my nearest Russell group uni and can honestly say those students were not a patch on my undergraduates. I marked the work appropriately and the course leaders inflated my marks as they couldn't have the students getting such low marks.

cazziebo

Poppy9 wrote: »

So a first in psychology from say UWE would be seen as inferior to a 2.2. from UOB?

Not necessarily. It would depend on a few factors such as each university's reputation in that subject, and whether the course fits the students' aspirations.

For example Robert Gordon's University in Aberdeen ('new" university) has a superb reputation for engineering, and I'd think a degree from there would trounce the Russell Group and trad universities when it comes to employment. However, if the student wants to go into a research post, the Russell Group unis might be a better bet.

AFAIK, Dundee University (trad but not Russell Group) is the only university to offer dual qualification in English and Scottish law at undergrad level.

Some of the red bricks have unrivalled reputations in certain subjects e.g. Stirling and sports science.

Horses for courses and all that...:rotfl:

Gloomendoom

VJsmum wrote: »

I have taught in a masters course at my nearest Russell group uni and can honestly say those students were not a patch on my undergraduates. I marked the work appropriately and the course leaders inflated my marks as they couldn't have the students getting such low marks.

I have had the opposite experience where a member of staff used the same exam as the other (non Russell) uni they taught at and the marks had to be scaled down because the average mark was in the mid 80's.

danandjens_worldtravels

Poppy9 wrote: »

So a first in psychology from say UWE would be seen as inferior to a 2.2. from UOB?

Had I got my 2:1 Psychology degree from UOB rather than UWE (and really I did) I would have been given immigration points for immigration to NZ. With the UWE qualification the degree has to be assessed for quality to see if it's content is comparable.

So that Russell group degree is more internationally recognised. It may be a consideration for you if you want to live or work abroad.

GoldenShadow

I went to Anglia Ruskin and a few people have raised eyebrows at that. I just think it's silly how some choose to pre judge. I had offers from Russell Group unis and I got the grades to get in, but I chose not to go to one and so it's quite fun to move people off their pedestal sometimes.

It is like anything in life. The more you do post Uni the less people care about Uni. I remember doing GCSEs and the effort I put in. Soon as I had A Levels they didn't matter to such a strong degree etc.

I wouldn't worry about any stigmas. Do what is right for you. Lots of my friends went to Russell Group unis and an awful lot are currently unemployed.

Person_one

I've got two undergrad degrees, one from a poly one from a Russell group. It's pointless trying to make simple comparisons.

It's about the right uni, the right subject, the right living arrangements, the right course design and the right location for the right person at the right time.

If you do your bachelors at a poly, you can always do postgrad at a red brick or RG if you want to get into academia.