Russell (group of universities)

The Russell Group is an elite interaction group of twenty-four prestigious universities in the UK. In total, this group accounts for 2/3 of all research grants and research contract financing in the UK, 56% of all doctoral degrees awarded in the UK and over 30% of British students from non- EU countries ^{[1] [2]} .

It was named in memory of informal meetings at the Russell Hotel on Russell Square in London shortly before the formal meeting of rectors and vice-chancellors of British universities in Tevistock Square . Formally, the group was established in 1994 in order to represent the interests of member universities in front of the government , parliament and other influential bodies. Often seen as the British equivalent of the Ivy League in the US ^[3] . The Russell Group includes the largest and best universities in the UK; 18 of the current 20 members of the group are in the top twenty in terms of funding research ^[4] .

The creation of the Russell group provoked a response in the form of the creation of a number of alternative organizations. On the one hand, 19 smaller universities formed the 1994 Group . Two universities from this group later moved to the Russell Group. On the other hand. In response to the Russell Group's support for education fees, student unions of member universities formed the Oldwich Group as a parallel organization advocating for their students.