Applications for September 2025 are open and in high demand.

Apply now
Home » Case Studies » Caitlin’s Story

Caitlin’s Story

High achiever Caitlin hopes to progress onto Oxford University to study History and Politics after completing the IB Diploma.

“Because we have quite small classes, there’s a lot of one-to-one interaction and specific support in terms of exams advice and coursework advice.”

Share this story

Name: Caitlin Hawthorn

Subjects studied: IB Diploma – Higher History, Biology and Maths / Standard English Literature, Global Politics and Spanish

Former school: Humphry Davy

What’s next: Oxford University – History and Politics

 

High achiever Caitlin hopes to progress onto Oxford University to study History and Politics after completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

After completing Year 11 Caitlin was undecided on which subjects to study at College, and where they could take her, leading to her choosing to study a variety of subjects on the IB Diploma.

Caitlin said: “I briefly considered A Levels, but by the end of Year 11 I was still undecided between a Science or Humanities based route, whereas the IB gave me everything that I wanted to do and has allowed me time to make that decision, which was really appealing”.

Praising the sense of community between students who choose the IB, Caitlin describes her favourite part of College life as; “the fact that I share classes with the same bunch of people, we’ve all become really close”.

Caitlin continued: “Because we have quite small classes, there’s a lot of one-to-one interaction and specific support in terms of exams advice and coursework advice.”

Speaking about her favourite part of the IB, Caitlin says: “I love how it’s all interconnected; we reference every subject in all of our other subjects.”

Caitlin, who now has an offer at Oxford University to study History and Politics, shared her advice for students who are considering the IB Diploma: “If you’re not sure about the subjects when you’re first applying, do it! I came into the IB having never done politics, and I’ve grown to love it.”

Related stories

Robin’s Story

Name: Robin Hometown: Lostwithiel Previous School: St Josephs Courses studied at College: IB Diploma  …

Read Story
Student Gabe, smiles down camera, standing in a green area of the campus with a checked short sleeved shirt and his results envelope in hand

Gabe’s Story

Name: Gabe Former school: Falmouth School Subjects Studied: International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) What’s next: Foundation Diploma in Art &…

Read Story

Kaeya’s Story

Previous School: 7Hills International School, Kampala, Uganda Course studied: International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Next Steps:…

Read Story
Scarlett outside holding her results

Scarlett’s Story

Subjects studied: IB Diploma Former school: Truro School What’s next: Human, Social and Political Sciences…

Read Story

Sign up to keep up to date with the latest events & announcements

Truro College

Tel: 01872 305000
Email: enquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Truro College,
College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
Find on Maps

Penwith College

Tel: 01736 809000
Email: penwithenquiries@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Penwith College,
St Clare Street, Penzance,
Cornwall, TR18 2SA
Find on Maps

STEM & Health Skills Centre

Tel: 01208 224455
Email: enquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

STEM & Health Skills Centre,
Ottery Building, Old Callywith Road, Bodmin, PL31 2GU
Find on Maps

University Centre

Tel: 01872 305750
Email: heenquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

University Centre Truro & Penwith,
Fal Building, College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
Find on Maps

Future Skills Institute

Tel: 01872 308000
Email: futureskills@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Truro & Penwith College,
College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
Find on Maps

  • Reset
  • Result Type