Red Brick Universities - League Table, Entry Requirements and Guide
In this article, we address some common questions about the Red Brick Universities. We also have a list of the Red Brick Universities and a league table comparing the university rankings and size.
Table of Contents
List of All Red Brick Universities and Ranking League Table 2025
We’ve put together the league table below that lists the Red Brick Universities along with its respective 2025 rankings in the country (from Complete University Guide 2025). The second column is a list of some of the university’s subjects that ranks among the top ten courses in the country. The size refers to the total student population of the university.
| University | Subjects Ranked in the Top Ten | UK Ranking | TEF rating | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Birmingham | Sports Science, Physiotherapy, Physics & Astronomy, Chemical Engineering, and 15 other subjects | 13 | Silver | 34,000 |
| University of Bristol | Sociology, Veterinary Medicine, Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering, General Engineering, and 24 other subjects | 16 | Silver | 25,955 |
| University of Leeds | Food Science, Marketing, Communication & Media Studies, Geology, Music, Art & Design, and 20 other subjects | 23 | Silver | 36,250 |
| University of Manchester | Drama, Dance & Cinematics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physics & Astronomy, and 20 other subjects | 22 | Silver | 40,250 |
| University of Nottingham | Building, Agriculture & Forestry, Veterinary Medicine, General Engineering, Pharmacology & Pharmacy and 13 other subjects | 30 | Silver | 33,540 |
| Newcastle University | Architecture, Creative Writing, Food Science, Agriculture & Forestry, Dentistry, and seven other subjects | 26 | Silver | 37,946 |
| University of Sheffield | Architecture, Nursing & Midwifery, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Dentistry, and 13 other subjects | 18 | Silver | 30,195 |
| University of Liverpool | Veterinary Medicine, Nursing & Midwifery, Marketing, Medical Technology & Bioengineering, and three other subjects | 19 | Gold | 30,000 |
| University of Reading | Land & Property Management, Building, Speech & Language Therapy, Geology and two other subjects | 35 | Silver | 17,040 |
Top-Ranked Red Brick Universities
If you’re looking to study Law, Medicine, Business, Psychology, or Physiotherapy at a Red Brick University, these are some of the top-ranked universities in the country for each subject according to Complete University Guide 2025.
Red Brick Universities for Law
- University of Bristol, ranked 8th in the UK for Law
- University of Nottingham, ranked 10th in the UK for Law
Red Brick Universities for Medicine
- University of Bristol, ranked 6th in the UK for Medicine
- University of Sheffield, ranked 17th in the UK for Medicine
Red Brick Universities for Business & Management Studies
- University of Bristol, ranked 11th in the UK for Business
- University of Manchester, ranked 13th in the UK for Business
Red Brick Universities for Psychology
- University of Bristol, ranked 14th in the UK for Psychology
- University of Sheffield, ranked 18th in the UK for Psychology
Red Brick Universities for Physiotherapy
- University of Birmingham, ranked 1st in the UK for Physiotherapy
- University of Nottingham, ranked 11th in the UK for Physiotherapy
What are the Red Brick Universities?
The original Red Brick Universities is a group of six universities that received its Royal Charter to become independent universities around the early 20th century. These universities were founded in major industrial cities in the country. Three other universities founded in the early 20th century are also commonly included among the Red Brick Universities, which are:
- University of Nottingham
- University of Reading
- Newcastle University
Why is the group named Red Brick Universities?
The use of red bricks is a hallmark of Victorian-era architecture. Among the six original Red Brick Universities, a number of them have buildings made in this characteristic style. The term Red Brick Universities was coined in a book by Professor Edgar Allison Peers, who found inspiration for the name from the Victoria Building at the University of Liverpool which was built with red bricks.
How to Apply to a Red Brick University
Step 1: Choose A University
The first step is to choose universities that offer courses you are interested in. Refer to the table above to start your search. Here are some things to consider when applying:
- Location
- Employability/Graduate prospects
- Fees
- Entry requirements
- University Ranking
Step 2: Preparations
Once you have narrowed down the search to your top five universities, the first step is to prepare necessary documents and forms. This includes school leaving certificates, exam results, the UCAS application form and a written Personal Statement, among other documents that may be required.
Step 3: Submit UCAS Application
The application process for UK universities is different from other countries as applications go through an organisation known as UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. UCAS handles all admission applications to UK universities, including those submitted by international candidates like you.
To ensure a better chance of getting accepted, it is important that you prepare all the necessary documents and fill out all forms correctly. We also recommend that you apply for multiple universities simultaneously to ensure that you get your preferred offers. Read our full guide on UCAS here.
More about UCAS
The entire application process might be daunting and lengthy for some, so let us help you. Make a free appointment with us today for professional assistance in submitting applications to your prefered UK universities.
Entry Requirements for Red Brick Universities
Here are some of the common entry requirements and tests a student has to pass before being accepted at a UK university.
- English Language Test requirement – such as IELTS or TOEFL.
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland for Scottish Universities)
- Health checks.
- Entrance interviews.
- Personal statement. This is a supporting document and part of your application to a UK university. Usually, you will write about what you hope to achieve studying at the course, what you plan to do after graduating and why you are applying for this specific university.
Red Brick vs. Russell Group Universities
Most of the Red Brick Universities are also part of the Russell Group, a group of 24 UK universities that are research-intensive and are among the top-ranked universities in the UK and beyond. The main difference between the two groups is that the Russell Group includes many other universities that are not considered Red Brick Universities. This is not a bad thing in any way – Red Brick Universities simply refers to the period when the universities were given its Royal Charter.
So is there a difference between Red Brick and Russell Group Universities? Yes – it refers to different groups of universities and both groups were formed for different reasons. However, considering that most Red Brick Universities are also part of the Russell Group, it’s not necessarily true that one is better than the other.
Many believe that the prestige and ranking of a university’s name mean everything – the fact is, the quality of education and student life you will receive from your university of choice matters more. Rankings are merely one way to gauge the quality of education in a university. We often advise clients to take other factors into consideration such as the student’s interests, their preferred campus type, and the facilities available at the university.
Some may also believe that certain famed universities will guarantee they will have good prospects as a graduate. Perhaps this may be true in some places, but it’s more important that you choose the right university that prepares you well for the industry and that suits your needs best.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Red Brick Universities refer to a number of UK universities that were founded around the early 20th century.
The top university among the Red Brick Universities is the University of Birmingham. It ranks 13th overall in the UK.
Most Red Brick Universities are also part of the Russell Group which has high entry requirements. Depending on the subject, most universities may require a minimum of ABB.
Some courses such as Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine have the deadline of 15 October. The UCAS deadline for most subjects by the Red Brick Universities is 15 January in the year of admission.
The short answer is yes – depending on the course, Red Brick Universities have high entry requirements compared to most other universities. There are some other important factors to consider here which are acceptance rates, number of annual applicants, and university ranking.
Get Free Red Brick University Application Assistance
If you would like a free consultation about UK universities or any step of the application process, contact us today or come visit us at our office in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. Book an appointment with us now!