Students aiming to study in the US are well aware of the famous Ivy League, consisting of eight schools: Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Princeton, Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, and Cornell. The 'Ivy League' has long been considered a benchmark in higher education, with the term 'Ivy' symbolizing the most prestigious institutions.
Besides the Ivy League, there are other notable national university alliances worldwide, such as the C9 League in China, the German U15, the Japanese Research Universities, the ParisTech group in France, the Canadian U15, the Australian Group of Eight, and more.
Today, CheersYou（清柚教育） introduces the classification of UK universities to students. How are UK universities categorized? What are the four major university groups in the UK?
UK G5 Super Elite Universities（the G5 group）
University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, UCL (University College London), and LSE (London School of Economics and Political Science) together form the G5 super-elite group, representing the top five universities in the UK, with an unshakeable standing beyond rankings. Also known as the Golden Triangle, the group was founded in 2004.
The G5 represents the UK’s highest level of research capability, faculty and student quality, and economic strength, commanding the most government education and research funding.
Russell Group (The Russell Group)
The Russell Group is composed of 24 leading UK research-intensive universities, including the renowned 'Golden Triangle' institutions. Referred to as the 'Ivy League of the UK', it represents the country's most prestigious universities. Unlike the US Ivy League, these schools are all state-funded.
The Russell Group universities are highly influential, commanding over 65% of the UK's total research funding and generating more than 60% of its top-tier academic output. It is the university alliance with the highest number of Nobel Prize winners worldwide.
Russell Group member universities: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, UCL, LSE, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, University of Bristol, University of Warwick, University of Birmingham, University of Leeds, University of Glasgow, University of Sheffield, University of Nottingham, University of Southampton, Newcastle University, University of Liverpool, Cardiff University, King's College London, Queen's University Belfast, Durham University, University of Exeter, Queen Mary University of London, and University of York.
Red Brick Universities（Red Brick University）
Red Brick universities refer to the private research and teaching institutions founded during the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century and the Victorian era of the British Empire (when Britain was known as the 'Empire on which the sun never sets').
These six universities all originated from the Industrial Revolution and were established in six major industrial cities of the UK. Consequently, from their inception, they have been leaders in science, technology, and engineering. Their strength in these fields is globally recognized, making them some of the UK's top universities.
Red Brick member universities: University of Birmingham, University of Manchester, University of Bristol, University of Sheffield, University of Leeds, and University of Liverpool.
N8 University Alliance（N8 Research Partnership）
The N8 University Alliance, also known as the N8 Research Partnership, was established in 2007 and consists mainly of eight research-intensive universities in Northern England.
The N8 Alliance shares research facilities and findings to address globally significant issues such as industrial biotechnology, arts and humanities, regenerative medicine, nanotechnology, and the impact of demographic change. It also focuses on applying research outcomes to benefit local society and businesses in the UK, creating job opportunities and driving economic growth.
N8 member universities: Durham University, Newcastle University, Lancaster University, University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, University of Manchester, University of Sheffield, and University of York.
After introducing the classification of UK universities, let's take a look at the top 10 most popular majors among international students! According to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency for the 2017–2018 academic year, these are the majors with the highest number of international student applicants at UK universities. Let's find out more!
Top 10 Most Popular Majors for International Students
Business & administrative studies
Number of international students enrolled: 59,290
Number of UK students enrolled: 36,945
Representative universities: London Business School, University of Cambridge, LSE, University of Oxford, University of Warwick
Social studies
Number of international students enrolled: 14,645
Number of UK students enrolled: 28,990
Representative universities: University of Oxford, LSE, University of Cambridge, University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh
Engineering & technology
Number of international students enrolled: 13,695
Number of UK students enrolled: 9,935
Representative universities: University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Oxford, University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh
Creative arts & design
Number of international students enrolled: 9,895
Number of UK students enrolled: 12,615
Representative universities: Royal College of Art (RCA), University of the Arts London (UAL), The Glasgow School of Art, Goldsmiths, University of London, Loughborough University
Law
Number of international students enrolled: 7,625
Number of UK students enrolled: 10,615
Representative universities: University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, LSE, UCL, King's College London
Education
Number of international students enrolled: 7,325
Number of UK students enrolled: 58,135
Representative universities: UCL, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, King's College London
Computer science
Number of international students enrolled: 6,255
Number of UK students enrolled: 8,060
Representative universities: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of Edinburgh, UCL
Subjects allied to medicine
Number of international students enrolled: 6,220
Number of UK students enrolled: 59,195
Representative universities: University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, UCL, Imperial College London, King's College London
Mass communications & documentation
Number of international students enrolled: 5,325
Number of UK students enrolled: 5,410
Representative universities: LSE, Goldsmiths, University of London, University of Leeds, Cardiff University, King's College London
Biological sciences
Number of international students enrolled: 5,240
Number of UK students enrolled: 24,300
Representative universities: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, UCL, Imperial College London, University of Edinburgh
That's all for today's article! For more information about UK study applications, feel free to reach out via the chat box in the bottom right corner of the screen.
