What Is the Russell Group?
The Russell Group is an association of 24 research-intensive UK universities including University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, King's College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, and more.
These universities receive the largest share of UK research funding and consistently rank highly in world university rankings.
What Grades Do Nepali Students Need for the Russell Group?
Russell Group requirements for international students typically include:
- Undergraduate: Strong A-Level equivalent grades. For most programmes, this means very high marks in your NEB Grade 12 exams (usually A in relevant subjects). Many also accept International Baccalaureate (IB).
- Postgraduate: A bachelor's degree with First Class or Upper Second Class (2:1) equivalent — typically a GPA of 3.5+ or distinction-level marks from a recognised Nepali university.
- English language: IELTS 6.5–7.5 depending on the university and programme
Which Russell Group Universities Are Most Accessible?
Some Russell Group universities are more welcoming to international students and have more flexible entry requirements than others:
- University of Leeds — strong business, engineering, arts programmes; IELTS 6.0–6.5 for some courses
- University of Sheffield — welcoming to international students; broad range of foundation pathways
- Newcastle University — strong in engineering and business; accessible entry points
- University of Nottingham — significant international community; various entry level options
Keep reading: How to choose a UK university · UK universities page