A STUDENT who grew up in foster care is the first of his family to go to university – and has secured a place at Oxford.

Blazej Czemerys, a student at Woodhouse College, in North Finchley, is one of 12 to receive offers for an Oxbridge University.

The 17-year-old, who lives in Enfield, will study biochemistry but admits he was not expecting to get a place.

He said: “Getting an offer from Oxford came as a surprise to be honest.

“Getting an offer from Oxford came as a surprise to be honest. I was expecting a rejection purely because of how competitive it is.

“My whole family lives in Poland and no one's really been to university. They're not familiar with the English education system so they're quite excited for me to be going to a place like Oxford.

“It was tough for me growing up, my parents separated and I ended up being in foster care for a while. All is fine now however, I'm back with my mum and glad to be back on the right track. I hope to pursue a career in research science.”

Meanwhile Joshua Hoffman, of Green Lanes , Haringey, is going to study maths and physics at Cambridge.

The 18-year-old said his parents did not go to university so is thrilled to have been offered a place.

He said: “The interviews were very intense. I had to pack three interviews and a maths test into three hours, but it was a really unique and enjoyable experience.”

Sandy Kershaw Brown, 18, High Barnet, has an offer to study classics at Oxford.

She said: “It still feels surreal to have an offer from Oxford. It’s very exciting.”

Erica Lee, 18, Barnet, has an offer to study engineering at Cambridge and will also be the first in her family to attend university.

She said: “I am very happy I got an offer. Thanks to my teachers for being so supportive and Woodhouse being such a nice environment to study in.”