Oxford reject 'gets Cambridge offer'

Anastasia learned to speak when she was aged seven

A Manchester student who was rejected by Oxford University despite having six top A-level grades has reportedly won a place at Cambridge.

Anastasia Fedotova was originally rejected by Brasenose College last August and is currently on a gap year.

The college's decision renewed controversy about the university's admission process.

The 19-year-old profoundly deaf student was not given the chance to shine by the college's selection procedures, her mother claimed.

Anastasia was rejected by Brasenose College

Now the Russian-born teenager, who was unable to speak until she was seven, is understood to have been offered a place at Trinity College, Cambridge, after sitting its entrance exam.

On Friday, Ms Fedotova's former headteacher, at Parrs Wood Technology College in Manchester, said he was not surprised by Cambridge's reported offer.

"She was one of the most talented mathematicians we have had and we were always confident of her talents," said Sir Ian Hall.

A spokeswoman for Cambridge University refused to comment, saying it could not discuss individual cases.

'Commendable' grades

At the time Brasenose made its decision, Oxford University said its "rigorous" admissions process enabled it to consider each application on its individual merits.

The university also said decisions were made on a case-by-case basis.

The fact that a student went on, after the decision not to offer a place, to achieve six A-level As was commendable, a spokeswoman said.

However, all students who applied to university had very good grades, she added.