This year marks an exceptional year for Ashton Sixth Form College as an incredible 55 students on the XL programme have submitted UCAS applications at the earlier deadline. 

Early UCAS applications are for students applying to the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and for Medical, Veterinary Medicine/Science or Dentistry courses. 

Students who choose to submit early applications have to work extremely hard to meet the deadline. Competing with students across the UK and beyond means the places on these particular courses are extremely limited and sought after. Universities require exceptional personal statements and as the competition grows stronger, universities have become stricter and more focused on personal statements and interviews. 

Throughout the first year of their studies, students on the XL programme are provided with countless opportunities to get involved. Students take part in summer schools, work experience, taster days, workshops, conferences, enrichment, the Realising Aspirations programme and more. In order to stand out from the crowd XL students are encouraged to work academically whilst also furthering their experiences and skills beyond the classroom. With only 4,000 characters to use, every word of a personal statement has to count.

This year over 30 students have applied to study at the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford. The courses students have applied for at these prestigious institutions cover an incredible range from Engineering to Medicine to Classical Archaeology to History.

Of the outstanding 55 students who have applied to universities early, over 20 have applied to study Medicine or Dentistry at highly ranked universities such as Imperial College London, UCL, Newcastle University and the University of Manchester. 

Damian Windle, XL Manager said, 

This is a record-breaking year for Ashton. The depth and breadth of the quality of the students applying is truly stunning and is testament to all the hard work and dedication that they and their teachers have put in. 'The 55' now have a number of mock interviews and preparation activities as they move into the next stage of their applications - all part of the excellent XL program here at ASFC.'

These students will continue to be supported throughout their studies and particularly in the upcoming stages of the applications processes. The college looks forward to seeing their progress and future achievements.