Cambridge University admits 15-year-old

London: A boy of 15 who has never been to school has become the youngest student for more than 200 years to win a place at Cambridge University.

Arran Fernandez, who was educated at home by his father, Neil, will start a mathematics degree at Fitzwilliam College next month.

It will make him the youngest Cambridge student since 14-year-old William Pitt the Younger studied there in 1773.

Last night the child prodigy said: "I am looking forward to going to the lectures."

"I have already started the first-year books and it is all right, not too difficult."

"I am excited about going to Cambridge but I am used to making records about being the youngest in education."

Arran, who plans to join the bird-watching society and go punting on the Cam while at university, was five when he became the youngest person to be awarded a GCSE, after passing maths.

He was offered the place at Cambridge in January, when he was 14, on the condition he gained an A-level in physics, which he achieved with an A* grade. Arran had already gained a grade A in further maths last year and an A in maths in 2008.

Broaden knowledge

Cambridge also asked him to sit three GCSEs in subjects which were not related to maths and physics to broaden his knowledge. He gained A*s in English literature and French and an A in English language this summer.

Arran's degree course, which is called a tripos at Cambridge University, is widely considered to be one of the hardest in the world. Former scholars include Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking.