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Russell Group universities

Russell Group

You’ve decided that you want to study at university or college. There are over 160 higher education providers in the UK and it can be difficult to decide which one you would like to study at. You may have heard about Russell Group universities and wonder what the term means and whether it’s even something that you should be considering.

What is a Russell Group university?

The Russell Group is made up of 24 of the UK's top leading universities. These universities are committed to maintaining the highest levels of academic excellence in both teaching and research and have unrivalled links with business and the public sector.

278 Winstanley College students received places at Russell Group universities in 2021

Winstanley College always attracts the best students from across the North West. In 2020, 38% of students went on to study at Russell Group universities. Compared to a Sixth Form College average of 29%. This shows great things can be achieved when students are inspired and supported to achieve their true potential.

Why study at a Russell Group University?

Leading research

By deciding to study at a Russell Group university, you will have the opportunity to choose a degree from a wide range of internationally renowned courses – from medical, biological and physical sciences to business, social sciences and the humanities. More than 500,000 students are enrolled at Russell Group universities – one in five of all higher education students in the UK. Importantly, many academic staff in Russell Group universities are working at the cutting edge of their disciplines. This means that, as a student, you will interact with leading thinkers and follow a curriculum which is informed by world-class research. As a student, you are likely to have opportunities to engage in research yourself.

Big Investers

Russell Group universities have some of the best state of the art facilities. Millions of pounds are spent investing in libraries and study space, cutting-edge laboratory equipment, improved lecture theatres, innovative courses, arts and culture facilities, the latest software and professional careers services. On average, Russell Group universities spend 50% more per student than other UK universities on academic services and staff and student facilities. Entry to this group of universities is highly selective, and applications outweigh places on the majority of courses. This means that you will benefit from working with, and learning from, a highly-motivated and talented peer group.

Bursaries and scholarships

Every student with the qualifications, potential and determination to succeed at a Russell Group university should have the opportunity to do so, whatever their background. Bursaries and scholarships are available at all Russell Group universities.

Success rates

There are many indicators which highlight the success of Russell Group students during their degree courses: the rate of students who complete their degrees is better than at many of the other institutions in the UK and abroad, and Russell Group students are more likely to achieve excellent degree results. Furthermore, a high percentage of students are in work or further study six months after their graduation: 93% of first-degree graduates from Russell Group universities, compared to 90% for non-Russell Group graduates . First-degree students from research-intensive universities are also more likely to progress straight to postgraduate study.

Transferable skills

Students are taught how to problem solve, learn independently and think creatively and analytically – all valuable employment skills. Graduates are equipped with the skills to be successful entrepreneurs, and a significant number of them set up their own companies. So it’s no wonder why graduates are highly sought after by employers, both nationally and internationally.

Research suggests that graduates from Russell Group universities earn, on average, around 10% more than those from other universities over a lifetime. One recent study shows that 41% of those in work were earning £30,000 or more after three years, compared to 32% for graduates from all UK universities.

Networking

Russell Group universities, have successful and growing alumni associations across the UK and internationally, which provide excellent opportunities for networking and staying in touch.

For further information about Russell Group universities

A full list of Russell Group universities and the Winstanley College students who attended them in 2020:

University of Birmingham

Feeder School Name Course

Golborne HS

Imogen

Nursing (Child)

Rainford HS

Evan

Chemical Engineering (Industrial Experience) (5 years)

Rose Bridge Academy

Amy-Kate

History of Art

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Max

Economics

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Jessica

Criminology

Standish HS

Grace

Medicine (5 years)

University of Bristol

Feeder School Name Course

 

Sahan

Mechanical Engineering

 

Martyna

Law

Rainford HS

Ben

Chemistry

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Elizabeth

Music and Spanish

University of Cambridge

Feeder School Name Course

Hawkley Hall HS

Olivia

Land Economy

Hope Academy

Emily

Psychological and Behavioural Sciences

 

Charlotte

Law

St. Augustine RCHS

Mackenzie

History and Politics

St. Peter's RCHS

James

Natural Sciences

St. Peter's RCHS

Jessica Ann

History

St. Peter's RCHS

Eva-Jade

Philosophy

Standish HS

Eve

Medicine

 

 

Cardiff University

Feeder School Name Course

Bishop Rawstorne HS

Frances

Journalism, Media and English Literature

Culcheth HS

Simran

Biomedical Sciences

Culcheth HS

Kathryn

Media and Communications

Haydock HS

Sean

Computer Science

Ormskirk School

Katie

Optometry

 

Thomas

English Language and Spanish (4 years)

St. Bede's RCHS

Sarah

Biomedical Sciences

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Laura

Financial Mathematics with a Year Abroad

 

Durham University

Feeder School

Name

Course

Birchwood Community School James  Biological Sciences
Greenbank HS Anna  Mathematics (3 years)
Hindley Community HS Hannah  English Literature
Lowton HS Benjamin  Modern European Languages and History (with Year Abroad)
Maricourt RCHS Charlie Physics
Moorside HS James Geography
St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS Olivia Mathematics (3 years)
St. Mary's RCHS, Leigh Isabelle  Business and Management with Study Abroad
St. Peter's RCHS Aleisha  Primary Education
St. Peter's RCHS Samuel  Mathematics (3 years)
Standish HS Joseph Combined Honours in Social Sciences

 

University of Edinburgh

Feeder School

Name

Course

Byrchall HS

Ellie 

Animation

Culcheth HS

Alexandra 

Social Anthropology

Fred Longworth HS

Benjamin 

Computer Science

 

Evie

Spanish and English Literature

Standish HS

Katie 

English Literature

Standish HS

Rebecca

Economics

Upholland HS

Rebecca

History and Politics

 

University of Exeter

Feeder School Name Course
Birchwood Community School Hannah  English with Study Abroad
Byrchall HS Yasmin  Classical Studies and English
Haydock HS Nathan Computer Science
Lowton HS Isobel  Animal Behaviour

 

University of Glasgow

Feeder School Name Course
Culcheth HS Kathryn  Chemistry
Ormskirk School Patrick Economics (SocSci)
St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS Benjamin  Economics (SocSci)

 

Imperial College London

Feeder School Name Course
Merchant Taylors Oscar Medicine
Ormskirk School Lucas  Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
  Mohamed  Aeronautical Engineering

 

King’s College London

Feeder school Name Course
Maghull HS Rachael  Politics
St. Bede's RCHS Harley Law

 

University of Leeds

Feeder School
Name
Course
Bedford HS Molly  Law
Culcheth HS Sophie  Economics
Culcheth HS Olivia  English Language and Literature
Fred Longworth HS Olivia  English Literature
Fred Longworth HS Sophie  Medical Biochemistry
Fred Longworth HS Nathan  Languages, Cultures and Film Studies
Hawkley Hall HS Niamh  Environmental Science
Haydock HS Jack  Economics
Hindley Community HS James  Ancient History and History
Hindley Community HS Ewan  Physics with Astrophysics
Hope Academy Rebecca Business Studies with Foundation Year
Hope Academy Rebecca Asia Pacific Studies
Maricourt RCHS Christopher  Film, Photography and Media
  Sophie Digital Media
  Harry Chemical and Energy Engineering
Our Lady's RCHS, Skelmersdale Caitlin  History
Penketh HS Marian  Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Rainford HS Aaron  Chemical Engineering
Rivington & Blackrod HS Mia  Medicine
Shevington HS Sophie Law
St. Bede's RCHS Finlay  Mathematics
St. Bede's RCHS James  Natural Sciences
St. Bede's RCHS Eoin Physics
St. Bede's RCHS Matthew  Philosophy
St. Bede's RCHS Thomas Accounting and Finance
St. Mary's RCHS, Leigh Christian Business Studies
St. Mary's RCHS, Leigh Emile Chemistry
St. Peter's RCHS Brandon  Biochemistry
St. Peter's RCHS Joseph  Economics
St. Peter's RCHS Joseph  Economics
Upholland HS Samantha  Law
Westhoughton HS Jasmine Medicinal Chemistry with a Year in Industry

 

University of Liverpool

Feeder School

Name

Course

All Saints RCHS, Kirkby

Owen

Engineering Foundation

Bedford HS

Alexander

Chemistry

Burscough Priory Academy

Ava-Jane

Biochemistry

Byrchall HS

Sherrie

Accounting and Finance 

Byrchall HS

Eleanor

Medicine

Byrchall HS

Daniel

Genetics

Cansfield HS

Amy

Pharmacology

Culcheth HS

Ellen

Architecture

Culcheth HS

Olivia

Law

Culcheth HS

Katie

Psychology

Deyes HS, Maghull

Nathan

Ancient History

Fred Longworth HS

Jake

Biological and Medical Sciences 

Hawkley Hall HS

Annie Clre

Geography

Haydock HS

Reiss

Biological and Medical Sciences 

Hindley Community HS

Hannah

Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacology

Hindley Community HS

Luke

Computer Science

Hindley Community HS

Lee

Diagnostic Radiography

Hope Academy

Ashia

Psychology

Lowton HS

Edward

Therapeutic Radiography & Oncology

Maricourt RCHS

Mollie-Louise

International Politics and Policy

Maricourt RCHS

Jessica

Communication and Media

Maricourt RCHS

Eleanor

Philosophy

Maricourt RCHS

Robert

Psychology

Ormskirk School

Megan

English Language

Ormskirk School

Paul

Aerospace Engineering & Pilot Studies

Ormskirk School

Ridmi

Biological and Medical Sciences

 

Natalia

Politics and Hispanic Studies

 

Yee

Biological and Medical Sciences 

 

Luke

Law

Our Lady's RCHS, Skelmersdale

Emma

Therapeutic Radiography & Oncology

Rainford HS

Matthew

International Business

Shevington HS

Ella

Law

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

James

Diagnostic Radiography

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Rose

Criminology

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Yasmin

Medicine

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Daniel

Therapeutic Radiography & Oncology

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Sophie

Geography (Science)

St. John Fisher RCHS

Rebecca

Communication and Media

St. Joseph's RCHS, Horwich

Emily

Mathematics

St. Peter's RCHS

Hannah

English Language

St. Peter's RCHS

Hannah

English and History

St. Peter's RCHS

Harry

Business Economics 

St. Peter's RCHS

Tara

Psychology

St. Peter's RCHS

Thomas

Biological Sciences

St. Peter's RCHS

Lauren

Italian with Spanish

St. Peter's RCHS

Cameron

Ancient History and Archaeology

Standish HS

Charlotte

Accounting and Finance

Standish HS

Jennifer

Criminology and Sociology

Standish HS

Jessica

Criminology

Upholland HS

Sophie

Psychology

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE)

Feeder School Name Course
Culcheth HS Maya Law
Greenbank HS Lauren  International Relations

 

University of Manchester

Feeder School

Name

Course

Atherton Community School

Millie

Biosciences with a Foundation Year

Bedford HS

Elizabeth

Psychology

Bedford HS

Jack

Law with Criminology

Byrchall HS

Caitlyn

Computer Science

Byrchall HS

Lorraine

Actuarial Science and Mathematics

Byrchall HS

Kian

Physics with Astrophysics

Canon Slade HS

Louis

Mathematics

Cansfield HS

Niamh

Architecture

Cowley HS

Anelis

Ancient History

Culcheth HS

Kathryn

Medicine

Culcheth HS

Eleanor

Children's Nursing

Culcheth HS

Alexander

Economics and Finance

Culcheth HS

Thomas

Business Accounting with Industrial/Professional

Culcheth HS

Daniel

Computer Science (Human Computer Interaction) with Industrial Experience

Culcheth HS

Amelia

Law

Deanery HS

Andrei

Economics

Deanery HS

Rebekah

Economics

Deanery HS

Harvey

Biosciences with a Foundation Year

Fred Longworth HS

Danielle

Politics and Modern History

Fred Longworth HS

Ellen

Medicine

Fred Longworth HS

Jack

Law with Criminology

Fred Longworth HS

Samuel

Japanese Studies

Golborne HS

Grace

Dentistry (BDS first-year entry)

Great Sankey HS

Elizabete

Economics

Hawkley Hall HS

Daniel

Medicine

Hindley Community HS

Danielle

Pharmacy

Hope Academy

Amy

Psychology

Hope Academy

Liam

Mathematics

Lowton HS

Jennifer

Psychology

Maricourt RCHS

William

Computer Science with Industrial Experience

Merchant Taylors

Alice

Children's Nursing

Moorside HS

Edward

Chemical Engineering

 

Ellie-Ann

Pharmacy

Rainford HS

Adam

Pharmacy

Rivington & Blackrod HS

Aiesha

Information Technology Management for Business with Industrial Experience (ITMB)

Shevington HS

Erin

Earth and Planetary Sciences

St. Bede's RCHS

Jamie

Accounting with Industrial/Professional Experience

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Luke

International Business, Finance and Economics

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Daniel

Business Accounting with Industrial/Professional

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Samuel

Economics

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Krystyna

Computer Science with Industrial Experience (4 years)

St. Peter's RCHS

Paisley

Optometry

Standish HS

Faye

Computer Science with an Integrated Foundation Year

Standish HS

Samuel

Politics and International Relations

Standish HS

Samuel

Mechatronic Engineering

Upholland HS

Madelaine

Law

Newcastle University

Feeder School

Given Names

Course

Bolton School

Ciaran

Chemical Engineering

Cansfield HS

Adam

Mathematics

Culcheth HS

Jennifer

Electronics and Computer Engineering

Greenbank HS

Sarah

Media, Communication and Cultural Studies

Hindley Community HS

Jake

Chemistry (4 years with Industrial Training)

Hope Academy

Georgia

Mathematics and Accounting

Ormskirk School

Ben

Economics and Finance

Ormskirk School

Constance

Biochemistry

 

Babar

Biomedical Sciences

Shevington HS

Jamie

Accounting and Finance (with Placement)

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Lucinda

Philosophy

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Owen

Medicine and Surgery

St. Peter's RCHS

Hannah

Law

St. Peter's RCHS

Mia

Dentistry

Walkden HS

Scarlett

Media, Communication and Cultural Studies

Walkden HS

James

Sport and Exercise Science

Westhoughton HS

Joshua

Media, Communication and Cultural Studies

University of Nottingham

Feeder School

Given Names

Course

Bolton School

Sarah

Veterinary Medicine

Fred Longworth HS

Charlie

German and History

Fred Longworth HS

Orouwa

Medicine BMBS (Nottingham/Derby pathway)

Merchant Taylors

Harry

History and Politics

Moorside HS

Mia

English and History

 

Sophie

Microbiology

 

Matthew

Engineering and Physical Sciences with Foundation Year

Rose Bridge Academy

Sophie

Politics and International Relations

St. Bede's RCHS

Dillon

English

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Max

Mathematics

University of Oxford

Feeder School

Given Names

Course

Burscough Priory Academy

Nathan

History

Greenbank HS

Maisie

Theology and Religion

Hawkley Hall HS

Lucy

Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Merchant Taylors

Katie

French and Beginners' Russian

Ormskirk School

Tyler

Classical Archaeology and Ancient History

Other

Nathan

English Language and Literature

Rivington & Blackrod HS

Alexandra

Law

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Joanna

Economics and Management

St. Peter's RCHS

Phoebe

Chemistry

Standish HS

Niamh

English Language and Literature

Upholland HS

Yasmin

Medicine

Walkden HS

Megan

Biomedical Sciences

Queen Mary University of London

N/A

Queen’s University Belfast

Feeder School
Name
Course

Bolton School

Alfred

Politics and Philosophy

Bolton School

Rachel

Law (European and International)

Byrchall HS

Lauren

Accounting and Financial Management

Canon Slade HS

Rianna

Psychology

Cowley HS

Nethmi

Architectural Engineering

Culcheth HS

Oliver

Criminology

Culcheth HS

Michael

Medicine (Phase One)

Deanery HS

Charlotte

English Literature

Deyes HS, Maghull

Emily

Biosciences with Foundation Year

Fred Longworth HS

Charles

Civil Engineering with a Foundation Year

Great Sankey HS

Ella

Linguistics and Philosophy

Greenbank HS

Christalla-Eleni

International Relations and Politics

Parklands HS, Chorley

Holly

Biology

Rainford HS

Edward

Geography

Shevington HS

David

Physics

St. Peter's RCHS

Samuel

Accounting and Financial Management

Walkden HS

Thomas

Medicine (Phase One)

Westhoughton HS

Chloe

Law and Criminology

University of Southampton

Feeder School
Name
Course

St. John Fisher RCHS

Georgia

Biomedical Sciences

University College London

Feeder School
 Name
Course

Great Sankey HS

Sudip

Mathematics

Rainford HS

Jessica

Psychology with Education

Standish HS

Benjamin

Economics

University of Warwick

Feeder School
Name
Course

Culcheth HS

Honey Grace

Economics and Industrial Organization

Fred Longworth HS

Alice Grace

Global Sustainable Development

Standish HS

Henry James

Mathematics

Upholland HS

Baris

Mathematics and Statistics

University of York

Feeder School
 Name
Course

Bedford HS

Declan

Law

Bolton School

Flynn

Law

Byrchall HS

Catherine

Law

Byrchall HS

James

Computer Science/Mathematics (Equal)

Culcheth HS

Sarah

English Language and Linguistics

Culcheth HS

Daniel

Politics with International Relations

Dean Trust Wigan

Alisha

Spanish and Linguistics (with a year abroad)

Deyes HS, Maghull

Molly

Psychology integrated Masters

Fred Longworth HS

Grace

Social Policy - Crime and Criminal Justice

Fred Longworth HS

Eloise

Psychology integrated Masters

Golborne HS

Chloe

Psychology

Great Sankey HS

Robert

Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Hindley Community HS

Holly

Psychology

Rainford HS

Lucy

Law

St. Bede's RCHS

Rachael

Law

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Robert

Philosophy/Politics (Equal)

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Rachel

Biochemistry

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Hannah

Environmental Geography

St. Edmund Arrowsmith RCHS

Joshua

Business and Management with a Year in Industry

St. John Fisher RCHS

Thomas

History

St. Joseph's RCHS, Horwich

Michael

Social Policy - Crime and Criminal Justice

St. Mary's RCHS, Leigh

Annabelle

Mathematics