World-class snobs

Many of us across the university sector feel that the recent extensive exposure given to the Russell Group is misguided and, frankly, boring. This self-selecting lobby of so-called "top" universities is getting free publicity that it does not deserve.

Whatever the Russell Group means, league tables, the research assessment exercises and teaching quality assessment scores have shown it not to be the exclusive cabal of world-class universities that it claims to be.

Quality is not an elite club that you join by meeting at a £250-a-night London hotel - you have to earn it.

There are many other universities, including my own, doing some excellent work out there.

James Seymour
MSc student
Aston University