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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your success stories of DC who didn't go to Russell Group?

224 replies

CheesyWotsitz · 09/07/2022 08:37

God I know I sound like a right twat but the heat is getting to me ...

DS has his heart set on Manchester Uni but despite working his socks off, I don't think he's capable of getting the ABB they're asking for.

I'd never heard of Russell Group before MN but it appears to be the be and and end all.

Is it?

OP posts:
YellowHpok · 09/07/2022 08:38

Lolz no. I went to a former polytechnic and am now on one of those mythical MN 6 figure salaries. He'll be fine, chill.

reallyworriedjobhunter · 09/07/2022 08:40

In the nicest possible way, I think you need to calm down. I am very successful in my field and didn't go to a Russell Group university. Except for some crashing snobs, it's never been an issue. Some very successful people I know didn't go to uni at all. Hard work and good professional relationships are much more important when building a career.

SeasonFinale · 09/07/2022 08:41

My DS went to a really low ranked uni with CCD at A level and a 2.2 but is earning over 6 figures at the age of 29 if you mean financial success.

Another got better grades and went to an RG uni but earns less, is happy doing a job he loves and has a lovely girlfriend if that is the success you mean.

There are also RGs which are more highly ranked than many RGs and RGs that are not very highly ranked.

I am sure if they put their mind to whatever they want to do by way of a career they will find their way and their successes.

Original poster
CheesyWotsitz · 09/07/2022 08:41

Thanks Yellow but did you go in the olden days?

OP posts:
brookstar · 09/07/2022 08:44

Of course lots of people who attended non Russell group unis are successful..... essentially the Russell Group are a self selected group of research intensive universities, that doesn't always translate into a great undergraduate experience.

He needs to look at which universities are ranked highly for his chosen subject - the results might surprise you!

fussychica · 09/07/2022 08:44

No. Lots of excellent universities aren't in the Russell Group, which is atually a self selected group of 24 research intensive universities.

Womencanlift · 09/07/2022 08:44

My brother is getting his PHD next week. Went originally to an ex-polytechnic uni

I girl I know from school went to one of the top RG - now works in a shop. Nothing wrong with that but just to say RG does not always equal lawyer, doctor etc

I went to a RG. Didn’t know it was one until I left. I chose it because I wanted to go there

StrawberryPot · 09/07/2022 08:45

I'd never heard of Russell Group before MN but it appears to be the be and and end all.

Nope. And neither is university full stop.

Beefcurtains79 · 09/07/2022 08:45

I’d never even heard of a Russell Group university until I went on mumsnet and I attended one! I’ve never heard anyone mention them in real life either.

FayeGovan · 09/07/2022 08:47

CheesyWotsitz · 09/07/2022 08:41

Thanks Yellow but did you go in the olden days?

Olden days?!?

What are you, 12?

lunar1 · 09/07/2022 08:48

It depends on the course, my brother went to a Russel group university and it was a huge mistake for his course. He got a degree and then moved to a non Russel group to do his masters.

He should have gone to the second university from the start-he earns very well now, but wouldn't if he stuck to the first uni.

Anothernamechangeplease · 09/07/2022 08:50

No, it isn't the be all and end all in the slightest.

I graduated from Cambridge and couldn't care less if my dd goes to a Russell group institution or not. It isn't a badge of quality, it's a self selected group of universities that was set up to lobby on behalf of its members because of certain common interests. The member institutions are by no means "better" than non-members.

I don't think that all universities are equally good, and I do want dd to end up in the best possible place for her, because she will be getting into a huge amount of debt for her degree and it needs to be worth the investment, but I don't care if her chosen uni is Russell Group or not.

I don't care about it as an employer either, and am no more inclined to interview Russell Group graduates than non-Russell group.

vodkaredbullgirl · 09/07/2022 08:51

Never heard of it when my eldest went to Uni.

whenwillthemadnessend · 09/07/2022 08:52

Crikey. There are many many successful kids that go to college or apprenticeship or just just jobs so calm down

Original poster
CheesyWotsitz · 09/07/2022 08:52

And neither is university full stop

Oh I know. I think it's a bloody financial con £9250 tuition fees and £6500 accommodation costs.

That's why I'm being needy looking for some reassurance.

OP posts:
GnomeDePlume · 09/07/2022 08:52

I would say that DD1 is successful. Did a course she loved at a former polytechnic. Came out with a first and now works as a research scientist in the subject. Not well paid but absolutely loves her job.

Make sure your DS focusses on the course not the place. 3/4 years doing a course you dont enjoy because you didnt do your research is soul destroying.

YingMei · 09/07/2022 08:53

Mumsnet is particularly obsessed with Russell group. My brother went to an ex-Poly and is very successful. My sister didn't go to university at all, but did professional quals in accounting and tax and is now earning 6 figures.
I know several people who went to non Russell group unis and all have decent jobs.

Original poster
CheesyWotsitz · 09/07/2022 08:55

What are you, 12?

No, are you?

OP posts:
EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 09/07/2022 08:57

I went to one 14 years ago. Didn't even know until I joined here. I don't even know if the one ds2 is going to is a rg or not. I don't think it matters

wordleaddict · 09/07/2022 08:57

Russell Group was a very successful marketing brand, nothing more. It is true that their success at blaring their trumpet means they get more students, and many more international students, so they have more money which may mean courses are not under threat if closure and academics get sabbaticals, so they stay in top of their research. But it really is course specific and you have to drill down into who what materials suit your DC, what modes if teaching, how much contact. RG dies not always deliver. Over the last few years if overrecruitnent it has become a poor experience fir some.

GnomeDePlume · 09/07/2022 08:57

DD1's partner did an apprenticeship degree and is also doing very well for himself. Came out with savings and no student debt.

Both are in their mid 20s and have bought their first house with a decent deposit and no help from the bank of mum and dad. They will be getting married in a couple of years and are as happy as larks.

wordleaddict · 09/07/2022 08:57

Wish I could hit o not I, sorry!

WeAllHaveWings · 09/07/2022 08:58

ds only applied for 3 unis before he got his first unconditional offer from his 2nd choice uni so didn't apply for more. He has his grades already and got three unconditional offers, 2 RG, one not.

He has firmed the non RG uni, it was the best course and uni for him and we have no concerns it isn't RG.

brookstar · 09/07/2022 08:59

MN has a strange obsession with RG universities.

I work at a university and spend a lot of time looking at employability data. The best advice us to look at things in a subject level. RGs universities aren't fantastic across the board. Many non RG universities are specialists in particular subjects which is why subject level information is important

SweetSakura · 09/07/2022 09:00

Of the three most successful people in my peer group from school, two went to Keele and one went to Leeds Met.

(And thats a friendship group where most of us were Russell group /Oxbridge etc. All successful professionals now admittedly. )