Gower College Swansea has been named as one of the top UK state schools / colleges for getting young people into Cambridge and Oxford universities.
The Daily Mail has published a list of the Top 30 UK schools and colleges bridging the gap for state school students to access elite universities, based on 2024 figures.
“We are absolutely delighted to have made the Top 30 list and we continue to go from strength to strength in 2025,” says Interim Principal, Paul Kift.
“This year, 14 of our GCS Honours students were offered places at Oxford or Cambridge which is a remarkable achievement. These students came to us from a range of local comprehensive schools including Cefn Hengoed, Bishopston, Cwmtawe and Penyrheol.
“For Gower College Swansea to be officially recognised in this way, as a springboard to the UK’s most prestigious universities, is a real testament to the hard work and dedication of the GCS Honours team and our entire A Level teaching and support staff.”
GCS Honours is the College’s academic enrichment and support programme for A Level students who wish to apply to the best universities in the UK and beyond. Led by Dr Emma Smith, it incorporates The Seren Academy, the Step-Up initiative, the Oxbridge Preparation Programme, and the Medics, Dentists and Vets Preparation Programme.
GCS Honours helps young people make discriminating decisions about their academic future, challenges them to explore their academic discipline, and encourages them to think critically and independently.
In 2025, Gower College Swansea saw its overall A Level pass rate rise to a remarkable 100%, well above the Wales national average of 97.5%.
Among these passes, 12% achieved the highest grade of A* (up from 9% in 2024 and again higher than the Wales national average of 10.5%), 34% were at A*-A (the Wales national average was 29.5%), 65% was at A*-B, and there was a continued improvement in A*-C grades which stood at 85%.