Students at Shrewsbury College progress to universities across the UK, including Russell Group and Oxbridge destinations, and receive support with UCAS applications, personal statements, higher education choices, and funding.
Students at Shrewsbury College progress to universities across the UK, including Russell Group and Oxbridge destinations, and receive support with UCAS applications, personal statements, higher education choices, and funding.
- Do Shrewsbury College students progress successfully to university?
Yes. Shrewsbury College students are more likely to progress successfully to university and achieve top degree results than the national average for sixth‑form and state‑sector students.
- How well do Shrewsbury College students perform at university?
Former Shrewsbury College students perform exceptionally well at university:
- 35% of Shrewsbury College students achieved a First‑Class degree (national average: 28%)
- 86% of Shrewsbury College students gained a First or Upper Second (2:1) (national average: 76%)
- 92% of Shrewsbury College students attending Russel Group universities gained a First or Upper Second (2:1) (national average: 85%)
These results exceed national averages across schools, colleges, and independent institutions. Data source: HESA Graduate Outcomes 2025.
- Is Shrewsbury College a good choice if I want to go to university?
Yes. Shrewsbury College is an excellent choice for students aiming for university thanks to its strong academic outcomes, proven progression to top universities, and extensive student support, whether studying A Levels or vocational qualifications.
- Do students progress to Russell Group universities?
Yes. In 2025, 177 Shrewsbury College students progressed to Russell Group universities, including institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, Bristol, Manchester, and Warwick.
- Can I get into Oxford or Cambridge from Shrewsbury College?
Yes. Shrewsbury College supports Oxford and Cambridge University applicants through its selective Shrewsbury Scholars programme. Students receive early guidance for Oxbridge applications, including personal statement workshops.
The programme offers links with affiliated Oxford and Cambridge colleges and residential visits to both universities. Students are also supported with interview preparation and admissions test practice.
- Are Shrewsbury College students competitive with independent school students?
Yes. Shrewsbury College students outperform independent school students at degree level, achieving higher proportions of First‑Class and Upper Second‑Class degrees according to national data.
- Which universities do Shrewsbury College students typically attend?
Students progress to a wide range of universities, including:
- Russell Group universities
- Local and regional universities
- Specialist and vocational universities
Top destinations include Liverpool, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, and Aberystwyth.
- Do I need A Levels to get to university from Shrewsbury College?
No, A Levels are not the only route to university from Shrewsbury College. While many students progress to university through A Levels, students studying vocational qualifications also successfully move on to higher education at a wide range of universities and higher education institutions, including University of Chester, Nottingham Trent University, Manchester Metropolitan University, Birmingham City University, and Falmouth University, among many others.
- What support does Shrewsbury College offer for university applications?
Shrewsbury College provides structured progression support, including:
- Careers advice and planning
- Advice on choosing the right university and course
- Application and progression guidance
This ensures students move confidently to their chosen next step after college.
- How do Shrewsbury College students progress to university and their careers
These student experiences show how academic support, expert teaching, and personalised guidance at Shrewsbury College help learners progress confidently to university study and future careers.
“I enjoyed the research and delving deeper into topics around sports coaching, but also the teaching side of it. Building positive relationships with the tutors was something I enjoyed, as I was able to gain advice as I moved through the course. The tutors were very good at preparing you for a career in teaching. I still use techniques now that I picked up whilst on the course.”
Mike Jones, HND in Sport
“University always seemed like a distant aspiration for me, particularly because I was unable to take my GCSE exams as a teenager. I was unwell during this period, trying to cope with the tumult of foster care, and unable to go to school. In spite of having no educational qualifications, my tutor, Julianne Ward, accepted me onto the Access to Higher Education diploma, equivalent to three A Levels, alongside a GCSE in English Language. Here, my love for literature rejuvenated, and in that, my desire to attend Oxford.”
Libby Histed, Access to Higher Education diploma