To not understand why MN posters refer to top RG universities?

[Dolcelatte]

Surely there is Oxbridge, RG and the rest - or is that oversimplifying the position?

Leicester, UEA, queen Mary's and many other smaller institutions were part of the now defunct 94 group. When this group went tits-up QM and others PAID to join the Russell grant group. UEA, Leicester et al didn't.

So the unis in the russell group have to pay to be in there, they also have to spend money sending people to the various committees the group produces and they then campaign to be given more money (because they are spending more money on keeping the whole Russell Group organisation going.). I remember in sociology being taught that "the purpose of an organisation is to perpetuate itself and preserve the structure of the organisation" (or something similar) . Do we blame the Russell group for tuition fees in England? I can now see why many Scottish unis with no tuition fees aren't as fussed about joining in.

The best part of this thread is people calling them Russell Grant universities.

Apparently I've been to one. Feeling underwhelmed. Apparently there is also one to be found in every major city in the UK. So why do posters on here keep mentioning it then?

I'm impressed if someone went to Oxbridge as an undergraduate (not as a postgraduate, in some subjects its a given right of perpetual studenthood).

It really sounds a bit pretentious and cringeworthy. What other university would you go to? Maybe I'd mention the name of the university I went to if relevant.

Maybe dependent on the subject.

2rebecca
Do we blame the Russell group for tuition fees in England?

Funny you should say that. The lobby that is the RG has a rather strong stance for tuition fees. Apparently £9000 a year is too low. According to them.

I've watched the league tables on medicine courses for the last few years and it's crazy how the universities can go up and down the rankings. It shows how fickle the league table can be.
I still think they are worth looking at but only as a small part of the bigger picture IYSWIM

People refer to top RG universities as being RG in itself means rather little.

Only on MN do I see people refer to 'top' anything.

Top grammar schools. Top RG universities (for undergraduate courses ffs). Top blue chip companies.

It's trying too hard with a cherry ... on top.

MN is a totally different world I find- just as well it would be hard going if it reflected RL!
Let your DC do the research and find the best university for them. It may well not be in RG.