HSDC is delighted to celebrate the achievement of two exceptional students whose hard work, dedication and ambition, supported through the College’s long-standing partnership with the Southern Universities Network (SUN), has led them to achieve their dreams at Oxbridge Universities.
SUN is part of the Uni Connect Programme; a national partnership of 29 universities and over 2,000 schools and colleges that offers advice and information on the benefits and realities of going to university.
Uni Connect’s primary goal is to reduce the ever-present gap of underrepresented groups in higher education, ensuring that access to university is not limited by a student’s background or personal circumstances.
At HSDC, this support was seen in the forms of 1:1 careers advice and mentoring with advice for students’ next steps. This support was provided by mentors from the Southern Universities Network (SUN) and HSDC’s fantastic in-house careers team.
Combined with HSDC’s high-quality teaching and the nurturing, aspirational culture that is so prevalent at the College, students receive the academic stretch and encouragement they need to aim for the UK’s most competitive universities.
The ambition of our students is clearly reflected in their outcomes. Last summer alone, 73 Havant students progressed onto study at Russell Group universities, including the University of Warwick, the University of Exeter and University College London. This means that, out of all of Havant’s students who decided to pursue higher education last year, an incredible 23%, that’s nearly 1 in 4, are now at Russell Group universities.
Of these students, 16 were involved in the Uni Connect programme, showcasing the true value of HSDC’s supportive learning environment.
These destinations reflect HSDC’s strong and varied academic pathways, expert lecturers, and an environment where students can develop the confidence and resilience to thrive.
In a particularly impressive achievement, two Havant students involved in Uni Connect have successfully enrolled on courses at Oxford and Cambridge, demonstrating not only their talent, but the impact of HSDC’s supportive learning environment.
After navigating Oxbridge’s demanding admissions tests and interview processes, one student is now reading History & Spanish at Oxford, whilst the other has begun studying Engineering at Cambridge.
Kate Creswick, HSDC’s Careers Manager, said:
“We are very proud of our long-standing partnership with the Southern Universities Network. This incredible achievement by two of our Havant Uni-Connect students in securing places at Oxford and Cambridge is a direct testament to the power of that collaboration. It not only reflects the talent and hard work of our students and teachers but also the fantastic, dedicated support provided by our Careers Advisers, who guide them through the application and interview process.”
These stories of ambition and success are not unusual at HSDC. Across all three campuses, our students are constantly encouraged to embrace challenges and believe in their potential. Teachers are able to draw on strong subject expertise and real-world experience, and assist learners as they embark on personal development and well-planned progression routes.
HSDC is committed to ensuring that every student, no matter their background, can flourish and achieve their goals. The successes of these students serve as a powerful reminder of what is possible when ambition is matched with expert teaching, support and a college community that believes in the potential of every learner.