University College Birmingham students are celebrating today after scooping record results in their GCSE examinations in November.

Despite the disruption caused to education throughout the country by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, students taking their GCSE English and Maths exams last term excelled to achieve the best November results in the College's history.

Demonstrating their dedication to their studies, 42% of the College's GCSE English students achieved a grade 4 or above, with several achieving grades 5 and 6.

A number of students also scooped a grade 5 in the GCSE Maths exam, while 12% achieved a grade 4 or higher.

Praising the group for their success in challenging circumstances, Dr Gavin Cole, Assistant Director for Learning Services (English), said: "The commitment and dedication that they have shown has been incredible. We are thrilled to see so many learners get the reward for their hard work.

"We recognise that all our learners have suffered disruption to their education over the last two years. This makes their achievements all the more remarkable. Our learners have proved to the world what they are capable of.

"For many, it was the first time they had sat a public exam. We recognise how daunting this must have been, and the English and Maths teams are immensely proud of how our learners prepared for their exams.

"I am also in awe of my English and Maths colleagues and their passion for our learners and our institution."

Nikki Brady, Executive Director for Further Education Quality Enhancement at the College, said: "We are extremely proud of all University College Birmingham students receiving their GCSE exam grades today.

"Despite the pandemic, our students have shown a fantastic level of resilience and commitment to their education by attending their November exams and giving themselves the best possible opportunity to achieve.

"It is fantastic to see that so many of our students have achieved high grades within their exams, and I am delighted to say that these are the best GCSE November results across English and Maths in University College Birmingham's history. This achievement is in no small part due to the wonderful work of our Maths and English lecturers who show a tremendous level of dedication to our students.

"It is wonderful to see that despite the challenges and disruption of the past couple of years, our students continue to succeed."

University College Birmingham provides a wealth of academic support for our further education students, with many of our college courses enabling learners aged 16-18 who have not yet achieved GCSE grade 4/C in English and Maths to continue developing their skills alongside their main programme of study – find out more here.

Our Centre for Academic Skills and English (CASE) also offers tailored support to all our students, providing one-to-one appointments and digital resources to help with assignments, essay and report writing, referencing, researching, presentations and more.

Find out more about the academic support we provide here.

Discover our full range of further education courses at University College Birmingham here.