Ziji’s Story

Subjects studied: A Level Maths, Further Maths, Geography and Computer Science with the Academic Academy

Hometown: Penzance

Former school: Mounts Bay Academy

What’s next: University of Oxford to study Integrated Master’s in Mathematics

My story: 

Alongside his A Levels, Ziji excelled with extracurricular support from Penwith College’s dedicated Enrichment programme adding Academic Academy and the Oxbridge Programme to his studies while also joining the College’s Eco Group.

Through the Academic Academy Ziji met inspiring guest speakers and public figures weekly, offering engaging and informative insights into a wide variety of topics beyond the taught curriculum. This was a great opportunity for Ziji to learn something new and network with industry professionals.

In his tutorial sessions, Ziji discovered the Eco Group and “thought it would be a nice opportunity to help make the College greener heading into the future and I thought it might provide useful skills.”

The Eco Group met regularly to progress team projects with the main aim of improving awareness of the College’s environment. A recent project Ziji worked on with the Eco Group was creating new signage that is now pride of place in Penwith College’s Treneere Manor Gardens. The signs highlight the ecosystems in the gardens, for all students and staff to read and learn more about the wildlife around campus.

From an early stage, Ziji was thinking about his next steps after college and was interested in applying to the University of Oxford. He decided to join the Oxbridge Programme that supports students with dedicated Oxbridge events, pre-interview tests, application support, one-to-one mentoring and mock interviews delivered by College specialists. Gaining all the tools and experience required, Ziji went on to successfully apply to study Integrated Master’s in Mathematics at the University of Oxford.

Ziji said he found studying both A Level Further Maths and A Level Maths helpful as it offered: “a much deeper understanding to the subject and the course content complimented each other.”

Ziji continued: “I enjoyed the friendly adult environment [of the College], and I had good teachers who helped stretch me.”

For future students with ambitions of studying at Oxbridge Universities, Ziji’s advice is: “I would recommend reading around your subjects. Try and work out what you are completely passionate about because you are going to be studying it for three or four years. You want to actually enjoy it.”

Ziji is now looking forward to making unforgettable memories in the next step of his journey studying an Integrated Master’s in Mathematics at Oxford University.