Nineteen students from Truro and Penwith College have been offered conditional places at Oxford and Cambridge this year. Seven are heading for Cambridge and twelve will be taking up places at Oxford.

The college hopefuls are drawn from both its A level and International Baccalaureate programmes. The students have chosen diverse subjects to study; they range from Engineering and Law to Oriental Studies and Natural Sciences.

Former Humphrey Davy Student Ben Clough from Penzance will be going to continue his education at St John’s College Oxford where he will read Chemistry. Oxford has one of the largest chemistry schools in the country, with an outstanding international reputation and Ben’s passion for the subject clearly shows: “I’m really pleased to have received an offer from Oxford. It is renowned for having one of the best Chemistry departments in the World, and I believe it will take me far. The application process was nerve-wracking, and obviously challenging, but thoroughly enjoyable. My advice to others thinking about applying to Oxbridge is: go for it! Don’t be put off by stereotypes. Everyone there is friendly and you’ll have a great time. ”

A-Level student Kitty Howes from Penzance will be heading to Merton College Oxford to study English: “I was ecstatic when I found out I had got in; I loved everything I experienced and saw at Merton and I made many friends with whom I’m still in touch. Contrary to what people think it’s not intimidating going up for interview and, as trite as it sounds, my best piece of advice is simply ‘be yourself ’.”

Other successful students include Tom Rogers from Newquay, heading to Oxford to study Mathematics, and Ana Ibanaz-Wilkinson from Truro who is planning to go to Oxford to study Human Sciences. She commented: “I’m so grateful for all the support and encouragement my family, friends and lecturers have always given me.” Unusually, James Hulme from Wadebridge who had been offered a place at Cambridge decided to turn it down. He commented on his decision: “I’m happy to have had an offer from Cambridge but I will not be taking the place. The help I got from Truro College was really good. The feedback on my personal statement and the support for Oxbridge applicants were very helpful. The reason I am not taking the offer is simply that the course is not quite right for me. At the moment I will probably be going to Edinburgh.”

Truro and Penwith College Principal, Jonathan Burnett said: “This is another outstanding year for the college in terms of Oxbridge offers. The range of subjects applied for and the range of backgrounds and interests of the successful applicants are particularly pleasing. The feedback we receive about successful applicants confirms that their success is a reflection not simply of their excellent ability and progress here but of their confidence, initiative, ambition and drive. Developing these personal qualities in students, at the same time as developing their academic potential, is central to our approach as a college. Our congratulations go to all nineteen students.”