Brighton colleges are celebrating their student’s academic achievements, as over 50 teenagers received offers to study at Oxford and Cambridge.

A record 36 students from Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC) gained places at the prestigious universities.

Frankie Bell-Davies, 17, who attends BHASVIC and was accepted to study medicine at Oxford, said: “My first interview was really gruelling but the second was better and I was accepted. The best bit was this was the first university offer I’ve received!”

Her friend Oliver Nelson-Dummet, 18, was accepted to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge. He said: “I’ve spent the last month dreading being rejected, so I was relieved as well as happy when I got their letter.”

70 BHASVIC students have been accepted into Oxford and Cambridge in the last two years.

College Principal, Chris Thomson said: “I am immensely proud of the students, the teachers who have directly supported and encouraged them and all our students, teachers and support staff who work hard to create a community of learning of which we are all proud.”

At Varndean College 57% of students who applied received offers, nearly three times the national state school average.

Matilda Benjamin, who completed the International Baccalaureate at Varndean College last summer, received an unconditional offer to study Philosophy at Christ’s College, Cambridge.

Matilda, whose older sister Connie is already studying Philosophy at Cambridge, said: “I was delighted and surprised, because I didn’t feel the interview had gone well and of course the chances of getting in are small.”

29 students from Brighton College received offers from Oxford or Cambridge, which ties with their previous record.

The college’s head of sixth form Daniel Gabriele said: “This is a fantastic achievement and I am absolutely delighted for the pupils.  They are really talented and hardworking but above all they are passionately interested in their chosen subjects - and this is what shines through at interview.”

Jack Bowskill, 18, who received a place at Cambridge to read history, said: “When I arrived at school aged 11 I was focused on sport but going through school I fell in love with history.”