Thursday 24 September 2026

UK Russell Group (ex Oxbridge)

22 Russell Group Universities, Side by Side

Compare typical entry requirements for 22 of the UK's leading research-intensive Russell Group universities (excluding Oxford and Cambridge) — A-Levels, IB, English requirements, interviews, and UCAS deadlines. The Russell Group represents the UK's top research universities, including Imperial, UCL, LSE, Edinburgh, Warwick, Manchester, and more.

Tick the universities you're targeting in the table below, then click "Assess my chances" to check your eligibility against your shortlist.

Entry Requirements at a Glance

QSUniversityA-LevelIBEnglishInterviewAcceptDeadline
2Imperial College LondonA*A*A–AAA38–42IELTS 7.0Common12%29 January
9University College LondonA*A*A–AAB36–40IELTS 7.0Common25%29 January
27University of EdinburghA*AA–ABB34–40IELTS 6.5Rare40%29 January
35University of ManchesterA*AA–ABB32–38IELTS 6.5Rare55%29 January
40King's College LondonA*AA–AAB35–38IELTS 7.0Common35%29 January
54University of BristolA*A*A–ABB32–40IELTS 6.5Common65%29 January
56London School of Economics and Political ScienceA*AA–AAB37–38IELTS 7.0Rare9%29 January
69University of WarwickA*AA–ABB34–38IELTS 6.5Rare45%29 January
75University of LeedsAAA–ABB32–36IELTS 6.0Rare74%29 January
78University of GlasgowA*AA–BBB32–38IELTS 6.5Rare70%29 January
80University of BirminghamA*AA–ABB32–38IELTS 6.0Rare78%29 January
82University of SouthamptonA*AA–ABB32–38IELTS 6.5Rare70%29 January
89Durham UniversityA*AA–AAB36–38IELTS 6.5Rare70%29 January
105University of SheffieldA*AA–BBB30–36IELTS 6.5Rare75%29 January
108University of NottinghamA*AA–BBB30–36IELTS 6.5Rare75%29 January
110Queen Mary University of LondonA*AA–ABB32–36IELTS 6.5Rare70%29 January
122Newcastle UniversityAAA–BBB30–36IELTS 6.5Rare76%29 January
169University of ExeterA*AA–BBB30–38IELTS 6.5Rare72%29 January
175University of LiverpoolAAA–ABB30–36IELTS 6.5Rare78%29 January
184University of YorkAAA–BBB31–36IELTS 6.5Rare78%29 January
186Cardiff UniversityAAA–BBB30–36IELTS 6.5Rare75%29 January
200Queen's University BelfastAAA–BBB30–34IELTS 6.0Rare80%29 January

University Details

QS 2

Imperial College London

A world-leading institution focused exclusively on science, engineering, medicine, and business.

A-Level:
A*A*A–AAA
IB:
38–42
GCSE:
Grade 6/B in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 7.0 overall
Interview:
Interview commonly required
Test:
MAT/STEP for Maths
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
12%
QS 9

University College London

A multidisciplinary university with a global reputation for research and teaching.

A-Level:
A*A*A–AAB
IB:
36–40
GCSE:
Grade 6/B in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 7.0 overall
Interview:
Interview commonly required
Test:
Varies by course
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
25%
QS 27

University of Edinburgh

A world-leading university in Scotland with a rich history of research and innovation.

A-Level:
A*AA–ABB
IB:
34–40
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5–7.0 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
40%
QS 35

University of Manchester

A major research university with a global reputation for innovation.

A-Level:
A*AA–ABB
IB:
32–38
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5–7.0 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
55%
QS 40

King's College London

A prestigious multi-faculty research university in the heart of London.

A-Level:
A*AA–AAB
IB:
35–38
GCSE:
Grade 6/B in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 7.0 overall
Interview:
Interview commonly required
Test:
Varies by course
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
35%
QS 54

University of Bristol

A world-class university known for its academic excellence and vibrant city campus.

A-Level:
A*A*A–ABB
IB:
32–40
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5–7.5 overall
Interview:
Interview commonly required
Test:
Varies by course
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
65%
QS 56

London School of Economics and Political Science

A world-leading social science university located in central London.

A-Level:
A*AA–AAB
IB:
37–38
GCSE:
Grade 6/B in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 7.0 overall
Test:
TMUA for some courses
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
9%
QS 69

University of Warwick

A research-intensive university known for its strong links to industry.

A-Level:
A*AA–ABB
IB:
34–38
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5 overall
Test:
TMUA for some courses
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
45%
QS 75

University of Leeds

A large, research-intensive university known for its student experience.

A-Level:
AAA–ABB
IB:
32–36
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
74%
QS 78

University of Glasgow

One of the oldest universities in the UK, renowned for its academic heritage.

A-Level:
A*AA–BBB
IB:
32–38
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
70%
QS 80

University of Birmingham

A prestigious research-intensive university located in the heart of England.

A-Level:
A*AA–ABB
IB:
32–38
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.0–7.0 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
78%
QS 82

University of Southampton

A research-intensive university with a strong reputation for engineering and technology.

A-Level:
A*AA–ABB
IB:
32–38
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
70%
QS 89

Durham University

A historic collegiate university known for its academic rigor and heritage.

A-Level:
A*AA–AAB
IB:
36–38
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5–7.0 overall
Test:
TMUA for some courses
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
70%
QS 105

University of Sheffield

A leading research university known for its engineering and social sciences.

A-Level:
A*AA–BBB
IB:
30–36
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
75%
QS 108

University of Nottingham

A global university with campuses in the UK, China, and Malaysia.

A-Level:
A*AA–BBB
IB:
30–36
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
75%
QS 110

Queen Mary University of London

A research-intensive university in East London with a diverse community.

A-Level:
A*AA–ABB
IB:
32–36
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
70%
QS 122

Newcastle University

A research-intensive university known for its friendly atmosphere and academic quality.

A-Level:
AAA–BBB
IB:
30–36
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
76%
QS 169

University of Exeter

A member of the Russell Group known for its beautiful campuses and research impact.

A-Level:
A*AA–BBB
IB:
30–38
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
72%
QS 175

University of Liverpool

A historic university with a strong global outlook and research focus.

A-Level:
AAA–ABB
IB:
30–36
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
78%
QS 184

University of York

A research-intensive university known for its collegiate system and academic excellence.

A-Level:
AAA–BBB
IB:
31–36
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
78%
QS 186

Cardiff University

The only Russell Group university in Wales, recognized for high-quality research.

A-Level:
AAA–BBB
IB:
30–36
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.5 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
75%
QS 200

Queen's University Belfast

A historic university in Northern Ireland known for its research and community impact.

A-Level:
AAA–BBB
IB:
30–34
GCSE:
Grade 4/C in English and Maths
English:
IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall
Deadline:
29 January (UCAS)
Acceptance:
80%