17 high achievers from Exeter College are celebrating after being offered places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities for this September.

This year, more of the college’s students than ever before have been offered a place at the two universities, widely considered to be amongst the best in the world. With tough entry criteria including early applications, admissions tests and stringent interviews, the students have beaten off competition from thousands of hopefuls across the country.

Sharing their success and hints and tips on how to make the best of the application process, the current students delivered a training session to other younger students at a special event at the college as further Oxbridge hopefuls prepare to apply for entry in 2015

James Letton, 18, originally from St Peters School, Exeter has an offer to read History at Balliol College, Oxford. He has found the Reach Academy experience to be essential in his university application: “Having joined Reach, I felt obliged to achieve. The challenge of gaining an Oxbridge place suddenly became an appealing prospect. I have been very impressed by the recent Outstanding grading from Ofsted. I’ve had a great two years at Exeter College and made some wonderful friends.”

With seven students accepted at Cambridge and ten at Oxford, the variety of subjects the students are choosing to read ranges from Maths and Natural Sciences to Engineering and English.

Richard Atkins, Principal, speaking at said: “We are delighted that so many of our students have been successful with their elite university applications again this year, since the successful progression of our students is paramount. Our excellent A Level and IB results and dedicated progression support means that our students reach their full potential.”

Mia Taylor-Jones, aged 18, originally from South Molton Community College has won an offer at Exeter College, Oxford to read History. She attended Exeter College as she was keen to study the International Baccalaureate. “The IB enabled me to step up to the challenge and I’ve had the opportunity for lots of independent study. Exeter College is a really nice and interesting place to study where you can meet lots of new people. I definitely recommend it!”

All students receive dedicated progression advice and guidance and support with their university applications, with those wishing to apply to the so-called ‘Oxbridge’ universities benefitting from the college’s close links with the universities, including hosting the annual Information Day held by the two institutions each year.

Emma Fielding, Assistant Principal at Exeter College says: “We are thrilled that so many of our students have applied to continue their studies to higher education this year. We pride ourselves on our strong progression support for students; helping them to find the right path for their future, whether that is university, training or a job. The increasing number of Exeter College students getting accepted to these highly competitive universities is a great reflection of their hard work and dedication and testimony to the support and guidance offered by our tutors and specialist teams who support them with their journey from Exeter College to their next destination”.

Of the 17 students who have been offered Oxbridge places, 10 are members of the college’s Reach Academy programme. Now in its 5th year, the Academy is set up to support academically gifted students reach the top class universities. Sixty-five students commit to a minimum of two additional hours per week on top of their course programme to work on research, attend specialist seminars and master-classes and develop their skills.

Caitlin Adams, aged 17, originally from St Lukes School, Exeter has an offer to read Mathematics at Robinson College, Cambridge. She credits the college’s superior facilities and opportunities offered to take part in a variety of extra-curricular activities as an integral part of her success. “I also liked the fact that Exeter College was relatively large with a diverse range of students. It bridged the gap between school and university.”

And for the first time students from the local Exeter secondary schools top the list with 11 out of the 17 originally coming from St Lukes, Isca and St Peters schools.