Five sixth form students are on the path to Oxbridge success after applying to study at the two most prestigious universities in the country.

Blackburn College's Hamza Adam, 18, Amine Gherensi, 18, Hannah Ledgerwood, 19, and Morgan Grimshaw, 18, have applied to study at the University of Oxford whilst Zakariya Patel, 18, hopes to study at the University of Cambridge upon the completion of their A-Level studies.

The five students, who are all from Blackburn, have submitted their applications which included writing a personal statement and completing an admissions test and are now waiting to find out whether they have received invitations to interview.

Zakariya Patel is hoping to study Natural Sciences – Physics at the University of Cambridge.

He said: “The new Sixth Form is a fantastic addition to Blackburn College; the new facilities provide a great place for students to study and relax.

“I never thought that I could apply to Cambridge but the help and support that I have received whilst studying at Blackburn Sixth Form has increased my confidence, and I felt reassured in applying to Cambridge.”

Fellow Blackburn Sixth Form student Hannah Ledgerwood has applied to study History at the University of Oxford.

She said: “My tutor David Jones spent four months before we broke up for summer helping us prepare for applying to Oxford and Cambridge.

“I have been put in touch with a current Oxford student who has become a mentor, they have given me guidance with preparing for an interview and also with our admissions.

"David has also helped me to speak with an Oxford tutor to find out more about the course and the application process.”

Blackburn Sixth Form High Achievers Coordinator David Jones who has supported the students with their applications, said: “I’m really proud of the students for applying to Oxbridge and wish them the best of luck with their applications.

“We encourage our students to aim high and discover their potential, and we have been able to build a good relationship with the Oxbridge universities through the launch of the OxNet programme.”

Blackburn College has become the North West hub for the OxNet programme which supports students’ applications to Oxbridge, Cambridge and Russell Group universities.