20 college students from Truro and Penwith College are celebrating this week after learning they have been offered places at two of the world's most prestigious universities, Oxford and Cambridge.

The students, who are studying a wide range of courses at the college, have helped the establishment achieve one of its highest ever numbers of students gaining offers from the two universities.

The group come from across Cornwall, and will be undertaking lengthy studies into psychology, medicine, Spanish and linguistics, development and education, natural sciences and computer science.

In total 11 students will be going onto further education at Oxford, and nine will be going to Cambridge.

Andy Stittle, a member of the college's senior management team, said: "The competition for places at Oxford and Cambridge continues to increase with a success rate of just over 20 per cent, so it is fantastic to see nearly one third of all our Oxbridge applications receiving offers.

"Making an application requires not only a focus on their academic work but also significant additional activity and we would congratulate all those whom made an application.

"We start the Oxbridge support as soon as students arrive at college with specialist support tutors, pre-application residential visits, visits from admission tutors and practice interviews from our governors, staff and external experts. Our thanks go to all those involved."

Morwenna Tamlyn from St Austell, who previously attended Penrice Academy, has been offered a place at Oxford to study Medicine. She said: "I knew that I wanted to study Medicine for a while, and have been working towards it since school.

"The Medics Academy was really useful and prepared me well for the interview and application process. I don’t think I would have done nearly as well if it wasn’t for them".

Owen Winter from Wadebridge, who previously studied at Wadebridge School, has been offered a place at Oxford to study Politics and History. Owen said: "I hadn’t considered Oxford, but then got my AS results and thought I would give it a try.

"The College has been really supportive, my tutor really helped me with my personal statement and admission tests. He made the whole process a lot less daunting".

Billie Powell from St. Austell is hoping to study Psychology at Brasenose College in Cambridge, and said: "I only realised that I had a real passion for psychology when I began my IB Diploma. I’m hoping to go into criminology or forensic science afterwards."

Languages enthusiast Bailey Sage from St. Austell has been offered a place to study Spanish and Linguistics at Oxford. She said: "I have always loved Spanish, but have realised I love languages as well since studying at college.

"My Spanish teacher at Truro has been really helpful and gave me loads of extra sessions. The principal was my interviewer when it came to practising for Oxford – that was scary, but very helpful".

Laura Morse from Truro, who has been offered a place to study Natural Sciences and Biology at Cambridge, said: "My family were crying when they heard I’d got the offer from Cambridge. I’d like to go into science research, lab work. The College was really supportive. There’s a great support network."

Ben George, who will study Medicine, said: “I would have been pleased to have received an offer for Med school from any university but from Oxford is amazing. I have a real passion for science and think that medicine is the perfect vocational application of the subject."