By Amelie Patel, Deputy Comment Editor
The rivalry between the University of Bristol and the University of West England (UWE) is an eternal subtext of the Bristol experience. But it’s not a unique one; nearly every major city the lines are drawn between the Russell Group university and the ‘modern’ university (for lack of a better term), which is oftentimes a converted polytechnic. You have Oxford and Oxford Brookes, Manchester and Man Met, Nottingham and Nottingham Trent. Although there are eight types of university groups in the UK, they are often reduced into these two. Jokes about city divides are a common point of entertainment, but what lies behind the laughter? Is it simply the workings of an elitist academic culture?
The history of modern universities
Polytechnics was invented in 1969. They were referred to as ‘technical colleges’, which awarded degrees in areas seen as vocational, meeting common demands of the time.
In 1992, polytechnics were converted into universities, a crucial policy which opened up higher education to the general population and broadened the scope of academia for good. In 1992, there were just under one million people in higher education aged 18 to 24. In 2021, there were 1.87 million - an enrolment rate twice as high. In spite levelling of the playing field on paper more than 30 years ago, these ‘modern’ universities and, by extension, the people that attend them, are viewed as inferior.
'Wouldn’t it be lovely for every pupil to be satisfied with the teaching they have laid down 29K for?'
The divide
The distinction between Russell Group and modern universities is not as binary as a preference towards old, historic institutions compared to new, brutalist builds. The University of Warwick was founded in 1965 and has risen to become one of the most prestigious universities in the UK. Unsurprisingly, it all circles back to class divisions. 35 per cent of students at the University of Bristol attended private schools. Most Russell Group universities admit around 30 per cent of the privately educated, with Bristol at the upper end. Students used to sitting in a perceived elite of six per cent at private schools may find their world views unchallenged at Russell Group universities - as simply new, bigger zones on which to project superiority complexes. Though admittedly, students aren’t responsible for entrenched power structures within higher establishments. Classism is embedded in the culture of the United Kingdom.
Comedy can be fun, witty and educational or prejudiced, uncritical and shallow. Unfortunately, on Instagram I see a lot of the latter centred on making fun of ‘modern’ universities, stoking the flames of class wars. When there are two universities in an area they are going to be compared. My problem isn’t with comparison, but the closed-minded attitude that relegates non-Russell Group universities to a point of comedy, without considering that these universities hold many advantages.
Student experience at different universities
Modern universities and Russell Group universities have their own merits. I’m not trying to further sow the seeds of divide, but explore ways in which both institutions work and have room to grow.
Interestingly, most modern universities have higher teaching satisfaction rates than Russell Group ones; 9 out of the top 10 universities with the highest rates are modern. Bristol falls at 116th place and has a 75 per cent satisfaction rate, meaning one in four students remain unsatisfied with the teaching they receive.This is not surprising. Russell Groups are notorious for having low student satisfaction rates. They self-describe themselves as ‘research-intensive’ which can often deprioritise teaching. Whilst professors at modern universities focus on delivering high quality lessons to students, professors at Russell groups may be more interested in their research than providing exceptional teaching.
'With the evidence displayed, I’m sorry to inform you that jokes about UWE’s inferiority are nothing more than echoes of elitism.'
Additionally, there is also a flawed belief that Russell Group universities contribute the most to increased social mobility. In fact, it is institutions outside this group that are driving social mobility. They are less-selective with their admission processes, prioritising learners who have potential to succeed, but may have been held back by personal obstacles. Better support systems are frequently set up for pupils as well; ‘What Uni?’ conducted a survey this year ranking student support services at universities and unsurprisingly the top five were non-Russell Group establishments. By virtue of often smaller campuses, students can become part of tight-knit, supportive communities in a way Russell Group pupils cannot.
Clearly, the idea that Russell Group universities are the best of the best is simply not true. By looking at the culture and community of modern universities, universities like the University of Bristol could elevate their strengths beyond the horizon of research rankings. Wouldn’t it be lovely for every pupil to be satisfied with the teaching they have laid down 29K for?
Changing employability landscape
A 2022 report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that independent of the university attended, students with first class and upper second class honours had higher salaries by the age of 30 than students with lower grades. Russell Groups might have better career networks, but chances of recruitment are not always bolstered by the Russell Group card. With the rise of blind recruitment processes in UK workplaces, as high as 35 per cent of companies according to a 2019 survey by Adecco, you may not be able to leverage your attendance at a Russell Group university at all.
Maud Humphries
With the evidence displayed, I’m sorry to inform you that jokes about UWE’s inferiority are nothing more than echoes of elitism. The net of education has widened forever, and there’s no going back. When you next think of universities, it might be worth considering the formidable number of institutions that exist today (296 according to statista) that contribute to a thriving ecosystem of higher education. Russell Groups make up a mere 10 per cent of this landscape. It's time we appreciate the other 90.
Featured image: Epigram / Hanno Sie
What are your thoughts on the divide between modern unis and Russell Groups?
