RUSSELL GROUP · ALL 24 UNIVERSITIES · UPDATED 2026
Russell Group Universities Acceptance Rate Guide 2026
Russell Group
Acceptance Rates
UK Admissions
Oxbridge
Ivy League Comparison
UCAS Strategy
24
Russell Group Universities
60%
Average Acceptance Rate
~14%
Most Selective (Imperial)
~85%
Most Accessible (York)
By Xplore UK Experts · Updated: 2026 · Reading time: 8 minutes · All 24 Universities Covered
🔑 Quick Answer
The average acceptance rate across all 24 Russell Group universities is approximately 60–65%. However, this varies enormously: Oxford and Cambridge accept fewer than 1 in 5 applicants, while universities like York and Cardiff accept more than 80%.
If you’re applying to a Russell Group university in 2026, understanding acceptance rates is one of the most important steps in your application strategy. Not all Russell Group universities are equally difficult to get into — there is a significant gap between Oxford’s ultra-competitive ~17% acceptance rate and York’s comparatively accessible ~85%.
This comprehensive guide covers acceptance rates for all 24 Russell Group universities, ranks them from hardest to easiest, and compares them with US Ivy League institutions — so you can build a realistic, well-balanced university list.
Table of Contents
Average Acceptance Rate
All 24 Universities Table
Difficulty Tiers Explained
Hardest vs Easiest
Russell Group vs Ivy League
Tips to Improve Your Chances
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
What Is the Average Acceptance Rate Across Russell Group?
On average, Russell Group universities accept around 60–65% of applicants — a figure that is heavily skewed upward by the more accessible members. Once you exclude the top tier, the average rises to approximately 73–80%. The idea that all Russell Group universities are extremely hard to get into is a myth.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Average acceptance rate (all 24) | ~60–65% |
| Most selective university | Imperial College London (~14%) |
| Least selective university | University of York (~85%) |
| Number with rate below 25% | 4 universities |
| Number with rate above 75% | 10 universities |
| Average for top-tier (Oxbridge + Imperial + LSE) | ~16% |
📌 Important Note
Acceptance rates alone do not tell the full story. Some universities with higher overall rates have extremely competitive entry for specific subjects — for example, Medicine at any Russell Group university typically sees acceptance rates well below 15%, regardless of the university’s overall rate.
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Acceptance Rate Table — All 24 Russell Group Universities (2026)
The table below lists all 24 Russell Group universities with their approximate acceptance rates and a difficulty tier classification. Individual subject acceptance rates will vary.
| University | Acceptance Rate | Difficulty Tier |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | ~17% | 🔴 Extremely Competitive |
| University of Cambridge | ~16% | 🔴 Extremely Competitive |
| Imperial College London | ~15% | 🔴 Extremely Competitive |
| London School of Economics (LSE) | ~16% | 🔴 Extremely Competitive |
| University College London (UCL) | ~33.6% | 🟠 Very Competitive |
| Durham University | ~33% | 🟠 Very Competitive |
| King’s College London | ~34% | 🟠 Very Competitive |
| University of Edinburgh | ~46% | 🟠 Very Competitive |
| University of Manchester | ~57% | 🟡 Competitive |
| Queen Mary University of London | ~65% | 🟠 Very Competitive |
| University of Bristol | ~67% | 🟡 Competitive |
| University of Leeds | ~72% | 🟡 Competitive |
| University of Glasgow | ~73% | 🟡 Competitive |
| University of Warwick | ~76% | 🟡 Competitive |
| University of Birmingham | ~76% | 🟡 Competitive |
| Newcastle University | ~76% | 🟡 Competitive |
| University of Sheffield | ~79% | 🟢 Moderately Competitive |
| Queen’s University Belfast | ~79% | 🟢 Moderately Competitive |
| University of Liverpool | ~80% | 🟢 Moderately Competitive |
| University of Nottingham | ~80% | 🟢 Moderately Competitive |
| University of Exeter | ~82% | 🟢 Moderately Competitive |
| University of Southampton | ~82% | 🟢 Moderately Competitive |
| Cardiff University | ~84% | 🟢 Moderately Competitive |
| University of York | ~85% | 🟢 Moderately Competitive |
📌 Important Note
Acceptance rates are approximate and based on UCAS, HESA, and university-published data. They include all undergraduate applicants across all subjects. Entry for competitive subjects such as Medicine, Law, Computer Science, and Economics is significantly harder than these overall figures suggest.
Understanding the Difficulty Tiers
Russell Group universities span four tiers of selectivity — from extremely competitive (below 20%) to moderately competitive (75%+). Understanding where each sits helps you build a balanced UCAS application.
🔴 Extremely Competitive — Below 20%
Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, LSE. These universities require top predicted grades, a highly tailored personal statement, and often an entrance exam or interview.
🟠 Very Competitive — 20–50%
King’s College London, Durham, UCL, Edinburgh, QMUL. Strong academics are essential, and subject-specific entrance requirements often apply.
🟡 Competitive — 50–75%
Manchester, Birmingham, Warwick, Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle. Highly regarded institutions where strong predicted grades (typically AAA–AAB) are expected.
🟢 Moderately Competitive — 75%+
Sheffield, Exeter, Liverpool, Nottingham, Cardiff, Southampton, York. Achievable for well-prepared students with ABB–BBB profiles, though specific subjects remain competitive.
Easiest vs Hardest Russell Group Universities to Get Into
Imperial College London is the most selective Russell Group university at ~14% acceptance rate, while the University of York is the most accessible at ~85%. Understanding this range is critical for building a balanced UCAS list.
The 5 Hardest Russell Group Universities (2026)
1
Imperial College London — ~14%
Consistently the most selective Russell Group university by overall acceptance rate. STEM-focused with exceptionally high demand. Typical offers require A*A*A or higher.
2
London School of Economics (LSE) — ~16%
LSE’s narrow, specialist curriculum in social sciences, economics, and law makes it highly selective. Many applicants hold A*A*A+ profiles.
3
University of Oxford — ~17%
Accepts fewer than 1 in 6 applicants overall. Medicine accepts around 9%, while some humanities subjects may accept up to 25%. Includes entrance tests and interviews.
4
University of Cambridge — ~18%
Similar process to Oxford with subject-specific entrance exams (ENGAA, NSAA, STEP for Mathematics) and compulsory interviews for shortlisted candidates.
5
Durham University — ~33%
Occupies a strong mid-tier position, significantly more selective than most Russell Group members. Popularity has increased considerably in recent years.
The 5 Most Accessible Russell Group Universities (2026)
~85%
University of York
The most accessible Russell Group member overall. Strong for social sciences, humanities, and computer science.
~84%
Cardiff University
Only Russell Group university based in Wales. Strong for biosciences, journalism, and architecture.
~82%
University of Exeter
Popular for business, humanities, and sciences. Beautiful campus with excellent student satisfaction.
~82%
University of Southampton
Strong for engineering, oceanography, and science. Good research output and employability.
~80%
University of Nottingham
Broad subject range with good employability outcomes. International campuses in China and Malaysia.
✅ Application Strategy Tip
When applying through UCAS, you have 5 choices. A balanced list might include 1 high-reach (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE), 2 competitive (UCL, Edinburgh, KCL, Durham), and 2 safer but still excellent Russell Group universities. This maximises your chances of receiving at least one offer while reaching for the top.
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How Russell Group Acceptance Rates Compare to US Ivy League
While the most selective Russell Group universities (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial) are broadly comparable to many Ivy League schools, the Ivy League as a whole is significantly more competitive on average — with acceptance rates of 3–6% versus 14–18% for the top UK institutions.
| Institution | Country | Acceptance Rate | QS Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | UK (Russell Group) | ~17% | #3 |
| University of Cambridge | UK (Russell Group) | ~18% | #5 |
| Imperial College London | UK (Russell Group) | ~14% | #8 |
| Harvard University | USA (Ivy League) | ~3.4% | #4 |
| Yale University | USA (Ivy League) | ~4.6% | #16 |
| Princeton University | USA (Ivy League) | ~4.7% | #20 |
| Columbia University | USA (Ivy League) | ~3.9% | #33 |
| University of Pennsylvania | USA (Ivy League) | ~5.9% | #12 |
Key Differences in Admissions Processes
Point 01
Subject-Specific UK Admissions
UK universities accept students for specific subjects rather than as undeclared undergraduates. Your acceptance rate depends heavily on your chosen subject.
Point 02
Holistic vs Academic Focus
Ivy League admissions assess extracurriculars, essays, and SAT/ACT holistically. Russell Group admissions centre on predicted grades, personal statements, and tests.
Point 03
Cost Considerations
UK tuition for international students: £20,000–£40,000/year versus Ivy League costs of $65,000–$85,000+/year. Russell Group often represents stronger value.
🏛️ Is the Russell Group Equivalent to the Ivy League?
For subject-specific, research-led education, Oxford and Cambridge are widely considered Ivy League equivalents — and in some rankings, they rank higher. The Russell Group as a whole is analogous to the US’s Association of American Universities (AAU) grouping.
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into a Russell Group University
From academic excellence and personal statements to entrance tests and UCAS strategy — here are five actionable tips to strengthen your Russell Group application.
1
Academic Excellence — The Non-Negotiable Foundation
For most courses, predicted grades of at least BBB–ABB are expected. For top universities and competitive subjects, A*A*A or above is standard. Check the specific entry requirements for your chosen subject at each university. Focus on subjects relevant to your intended degree.
2
Write a Compelling, Subject-Focused Personal Statement
Open with a specific idea or experience that sparked your interest. Discuss books, papers, or projects that deepened your understanding. Reference relevant super-curricular activities: online courses, competitions, extended projects. Keep extracurriculars brief — they matter less at UK universities than US ones.
3
Prepare for Entrance Tests and Interviews
Oxford requires MAT, TSA, LNAT, UCAT. Cambridge uses STEP, ENGAA, NSAA, TMUA. Imperial and LSE require specific tests for some programmes. Practice explaining your thinking aloud and engaging with unseen problems.
4
Meet English Language Requirements (International Students)
Typical minimums: IELTS 6.5–7.5 overall, TOEFL 92–110. Oxford and Cambridge typically require IELTS 7.5 or TOEFL 110. Other Russell Group members accept IELTS 6.5–7.0 for standard programmes.
5
Apply Strategically Through UCAS
Use all 5 UCAS choices and balance across difficulty tiers. Oxford and Cambridge deadline: 15 October. Most other Russell Group: 15 January. Research contextual admissions policies — Bristol, LSE, Manchester, and Warwick offer adjusted offers for eligible students.
Frequently Asked Questions — Russell Group Acceptance Rates
What is the acceptance rate for the University of Oxford?
+
Oxford’s overall undergraduate acceptance rate is approximately 17% (around 1 in 6 applicants). This varies by subject: Medicine accepts approximately 9%, while some humanities subjects accept up to 25%. All shortlisted applicants sit entrance tests and attend an interview.
What is the acceptance rate for the University of Cambridge?
+
Cambridge’s overall undergraduate acceptance rate is approximately 18%. This varies significantly by subject and college. Entrance tests and interviews are compulsory for shortlisted students.
Which Russell Group university is the easiest to get into?
+
Based on overall acceptance rates, the University of York (~85%), Cardiff University (~84%), University of Exeter (~82%), University of Southampton (~82%), and University of Nottingham (~80%) are the most accessible. However, specific subjects can still be very competitive, and ‘easiest’ does not mean low quality.
Which Russell Group university is the hardest to get into?
+
Imperial College London is the most selective at approximately 14%, followed by LSE (~16%), Oxford (~17%), and Cambridge (~18%). These four consistently require the highest academic profiles and most rigorous application processes.
Is the Russell Group equivalent to the Ivy League?
+
Oxford and Cambridge are widely considered equivalent in prestige and selectivity to top Ivy League universities — frequently ranking above most Ivy League institutions globally. The Russell Group as a whole is analogous to the US concept of elite research universities rather than a direct equivalent of the eight Ivy League schools.
What grades do I need to get into a Russell Group university?
+
For Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and LSE: A*A*A or A*AA. For UCL, Edinburgh, KCL: AAA–ABB. For more accessible members (York, Cardiff, Southampton): BBB–ABB. Always check the specific entry requirements on the university’s course page.
Do Russell Group universities consider contextual admissions?
+
Yes, many — including Bristol, LSE, Manchester, and Warwick — operate contextual admissions policies. Eligible students may receive offers up to two grades below the standard requirement based on school performance, widening participation, and socioeconomic background.
How many universities are in the Russell Group?
+
There are 24 universities in the Russell Group as of 2026. The group was founded in 1994 and includes some of the UK’s oldest and most research-intensive institutions: Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial, LSE, Edinburgh, Manchester, King’s College London, and more.
Final Thoughts: Building a Smart Russell Group Application Strategy
The Russell Group is not a monolithic group of equally selective universities — it spans a wide range, from Oxford and Imperial at one extreme to York and Cardiff at the other. Understanding where each university sits on the selectivity spectrum allows you to build an application strategy that is both ambitious and realistic.
Key takeaways for 2026 applicants:
1
Know the Range
The average Russell Group acceptance rate is ~60–65%, but the top four (Imperial, LSE, Oxford, Cambridge) are dramatically more competitive at 14–18%.
2
Research Subject-Specific Rates
Subject-specific acceptance rates often differ substantially from institutional averages — always research the specific course you’re applying to.
3
Balance Your UCAS List
A well-balanced UCAS list across difficulty tiers maximises your chance of securing a place at a strong Russell Group university.
4
International Students — Plan Ahead
English language requirements and visa processes add additional layers to the timeline. Start early and get expert guidance.
Russell Group universities as a whole represent some of the world’s finest institutions — a place at any one of them is a strong foundation for your academic and professional future.
Need Help With Your Russell Group Application?
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