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The Best Non-Russell Group Universities 2026

  • Camila Karalyte
  • 3 days ago
  • 4 min read
Nottingham University - what are the best non-russell group universities uk

Written by Camila Karalyte


Russell Group universities aren't the only universities to aim for.


Deciding to go to university is a major step. 


Now that you've got that off your plate, you're probably wondering which university to apply for. Am I right?


You might already have an idea of what you want to study, but that's only half the battle. With 166 universities in the UK, how do you decide which ones to apply for?


You might be tempted to apply to one of the reputable Russell Group universities, and why not? They're considered to be the most prestigious universities in the country. But, there are plenty of non-Russell Group universities that are also considered excellent and highly ranked, in some lovely parts of the UK, too.


There's no right or wrong choice, and a university's reputation isn't everything. At the end of the day, going to any university is a huge achievement, and as long as you enjoy it and make the most of your education, is there really a wrong choice?


To make it a bit easier for you, we've got all the best non-Russell Group universities you should consider.


In this guide:



Non-Russell Group universities


Russell Group universities are renowned for their outstanding teaching and research, but many non-Russell Group universities are equally as fulfilling and reputable for their own reasons.


Using the University League Table for 2026, we've put together a handy little table of the best non-Russell Group universities in the UK. The table is based on the overall score each university has received, made up of the following metrics:


  • Entry standards

  • Student satisfaction

  • Research quality

  • Research intensity


Make sure when you're applying to universities that you find out how many UCAS tariff points you'll need for your course's entry requirements.


Best non-Russell Group universities


If you've got a neurodiversity or disability and are worried about which universities are suitable for you, check out the best universities for disability and neurodiversity.


Best Non-Russell Group universities for law


We looked at the University League Table 2026 for law and pulled out the best non-Russell Group universities for law based on their overall score (out of 100).



Check out the student university grants and student bursaries that might be available to you to help out with your finances.


What are Red Brick universities?


Red Brick universities are, well, universities made of red brick — to put it simply.


Originating from the Victorian era, when red brickwork was a common style for buildings. Red Brick universities were typically the universities that focused on practical, real-world skills, and engineering in industrial cities (such as Birmingham), but have since then created a more prestigious reputation.



These universities aimed to break down barriers to make education as accessible as possible, and not just somewhere only the 'elite' could attend.


The six Red Brick universities are:


These six Red Brick unis are also part of the Russell group universities. But what exactly are Russell Group universities and are they better?


FAQs


Is Surrey a Russell Group university?


No, the University of Surrey is not a Russell Group university. The University of Surrey is still considered an excellent university, sitting in 19th place in the University League Tables 2026 with an overall score of 760 out of 1000.


Is Loughborough a Russell Group university?


No, Loughborough University is not a Russell Group university. However, Loughborough University has a score of 865 out of 1000 and sits in 7th place in the University League Tables 2026.


Is St Andrews a Russell Group university?


No, the University of St. Andrews is not part of the Russell Group universities, although many people believe it is due to its incredible reputation. The university of St. Andrews sits in 4th place in the University League Tables, with an overall score of 922 out of 1000.


Is University of Reading Russell Group?


The University of Reading is not part of the Russell Group universities. The university sits in 36th position in the University League Tables with a respectable score of 686 out of 1000.


Is Swansea a Russell Group university?


Swansea University is not a Russell Group university. The university has a score of 660 out of 1000 and sits in 40th position in the University League Tables.


Is Lancaster uni Russell Group?


No, Lancaster University is not a Russell Group uni. Lancaster University sits in 10th position in the University League Tables with a score of 804 out of 1000.


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