Exeter College is proving that number 13 can be lucky for some, with 13 of its students being offered places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities in 2013.

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.

David Tomory, 17, from Exeter, had never considered applying to Oxford when he joined the college with just 2 GCSEs after being home educated. “One of my college lecturers is an Oxford graduate and has been really supportive. He suggested I apply, but I really didn't expect anything to come of it. I did well in the test and when I went for the interview I met lots of people and really enjoyed it. I would tell others to go for it – you can get there if you put the time in and you've really got the passion for it.”

With eight students accepted at Oxford and five at Cambridge, the range of subjects the students are choosing to read ranges from Medicine, Maths and Art History to Modern and Medieval Languages.

Richard Atkins, Principal, said: “We are delighted that so many of our students have been successful with their elite university applications again this year, following on from 167 students progressing to Russell Group universities in 2012. The successful progression of our students is paramount and our excellent A Level results and dedicated progression support means that our students reach their full potential.”

Emma McLean, 19, from Seaton has been accepted to read Medicine at Clare College, Cambridge, after adding to her previous A Level qualifications gained at Colyton Grammar School with a one-year fast-track A Level programme. She credits the college's strong tutorial and progression support for her successful application: “The Progression Adviser set up a dedicated Medicine Progression Support Group, which I attended every week in the Autumn Term, which gave us a chance to have mock interviews with current Medicine students and to talk to them about their own experiences. It's a really long application process so it was great to go through it with others and now I'm really excited about the future!”

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.

One of the keys to progression to elite Russell Group Universities is extra curricula activities, so the college is thrilled to be celebrating success in the ‘Model United Nations' regional conference at Queens College Taunton, where the Exeter College Delegation representing ‘China' won best committee at the conference and in the same week the Exeter College Debating Team took part in a regional debating competition after winning a local event.

John Laramy, Vice Principal at Exeter College says: “We are delighted 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 specialist progression team and tutors who support them with their journey from Exeter College to their next destination”.

Of the 13 students who have been offered Oxbridge places, 11 are members of the college's selective Reach Academy programme. Now in its 4th 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 to work on research, attend specialist seminars and master-classes and develop their skills.

Sam Dunbavin, aged 17, from Barnstaple, has found the Reach Academy experience to be fundamental to his university application to read Spanish and German: “The Reach Academy has really helped to shape my decision on what to study next and where to go and it's been great to meet other like-minded students. The help and support I have had with my application has been invaluable and having the opportunity to take part in the Cambridge University residential confirmed my decision of which college to apply to.”