Exeter College celebrates record Oxbridge offers for students

Exeter College is celebrating another outstanding year of Oxbridge success, with 16 students securing offers from the prestigious University of Oxford and University of Cambridge.

The college continues to outperform national averages, reaffirming its commitment to academic excellence and student support.

This year, 60 students applied to Oxbridge (37 to Oxford, 23 to Cambridge). Of these, 36 were shortlisted for interviews, representing 60% of applicants.

The final success rate stands at an impressive 27% - higher than the national averages for both Further Education colleges (21%) and independent schools (25%).

Exeter College’s interview-to-offer conversion rate is even more remarkable. 44% of shortlisted students received offers, including a 61% success rate at Oxford - highlighting the exceptional preparation and support provided by the college.

Among this year’s successful applicants is Ved Kumar, a former St James School student, who has received an offer from Clare College, Cambridge, to study Natural Sciences.

“I stayed at the university for a residential last year and loved every aspect of it - the people, the city, the mindset. Now that I’m months away from potentially securing that as my environment for the next three years, I’m completely ecstatic!

“Apart from the incredible academic experience, I’m excited to be in a very musical environment - the regular gigs and jam sessions at Clare College were a huge factor in my decision.”

Another offer recipient, Niamh McLaughlin from Barnstaple, has been accepted to Cambridge, studying English Literature, English Language, and Philosophy, she reflected on her journey:

“It was definitely a long process, but it wasn’t all stress and hard work. In many ways, it made me love my subject even more. I’ve found new favourite books while preparing my personal statement!

“The Reach Academy has been an incredible help since my first year. They organised university visits, guest speaker sessions, and provided guidance on personal statements and interview preparation. The mock interviews were particularly useful, as the Cambridge interview style is so different from anything else.”

For Elena Carey, who previously attended Chulmleigh School, securing an offer to study Chemistry at Oxford was the result of dedication and perseverance. After achieving A*s in Physics, Maths, and Chemistry, she took a gap year to further explore her academic interests before applying.

“I’m really happy. I’m so glad I decided to apply this year - it was a difficult process, but incredibly rewarding.

“I applied quite late, but the college was brilliant in getting my references sorted and arranging mock interviews, even though I had already left.”

Elena is particularly interested in nanotechnology, having undertaken lab placements to explore the field further.

“I’ve had a few amazing lab experiences, which have shaped my interest. But I know that when I get to university, I’ll have even more opportunities to explore different areas of Chemistry.”

Billie Stokes, Assistant Principal at Exeter College, praised the hard work of both students and staff:

“We’re incredibly proud of every student who applied to Oxbridge this year. Their dedication and resilience have been truly inspiring.

“A huge thank you to Martin Gilbert and our fantastic teaching staff, whose support and commitment have played a key role in helping students secure these incredible offers. The breadth of subjects - from the sciences and humanities to social sciences and linguistics - reflects the strength of our academic programme.”

Martin Gilbert, Head of Academic Aspiration, highlighted how the college’s high-quality teaching and support help students achieve their Oxbridge ambitions.

“The Oxbridge application process is rigorous, and the success of our students speaks volumes about their talent and commitment.

“The variety of subjects our students have been accepted for - ranging from Physics to Classics - demonstrates the breadth of specialist academic expertise we have at Exeter College. Through mock interviews, tailored mentoring, and personal statement guidance, we equip students with the tools they need to succeed.”

With Oxbridge success rates consistently exceeding national averages, Exeter College continues to be one of the leading institutions in the South West for students aiming to study at the UK’s most prestigious universities.