Rochdale and Middleton college students land university places after T-Level and BTEC success

Friday, 15 August 2025 15:08

By David Murphy

Young people across Rochdale and Middleton are celebrating life-changing university offers and job wins after receiving their college results on Thursday.

Students at Hopwood Hall College and University Centre were among those collecting their results this week, with many now heading to university courses and careers in medicine, education, construction and conservation.

One of this year’s standout performers was 20-year-old Silvia Osondu, who achieved a Distinction* and two Distinctions in her Applied Science (Biomedical) course. The former Cardinal Langley RC High School pupil has secured a place to study Medicine at the University of Plymouth, taking her over 300 miles away to pursue her goal of becoming a GP.

In the field of animal science, 19-year-old Rubie Brown is also heading to university. The former Whitworth High School student earned top marks in Animal Management and will study Animal Behaviour at the University of Chester, with aspirations for a career in sustainability and wildlife conservation. Rubie previously led the college’s Green Beans sustainability society.

Another success story is Callum Grainger, 18, who completed a T-Level in Education and Childcare. Alongside 315 hours of hands-on experience at Georgie Porgies nursery in Rochdale, he gained employment as a Holiday Club Lead at Redwood Secondary School. He’ll now study Primary Education at Edge Hill University with the goal of becoming a primary school teacher.

Also heading into the next stage of his education is 18-year-old Huzefa Skindar, who completed a T-Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction. A former pupil at The Oldham Academy North, he will now begin a BSc in Quantity Surveying at the University of Salford.

Julia Heap, Principal and CEO of Hopwood Hall College and University Centre, said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled for our Class of 2025. They’ve unlocked so many fabulous opportunities – from being offered exciting jobs to securing places at universities across the UK, including at our own University Centre.

“I’ve no doubt that the future holds so much for them now that they’ve completed these life-changing qualifications and are already taking their newly-developed skills into the world.”

Reflecting on his own experience, Huzefa added: "My time at Hopwood Hall College has been truly transformative – it’s really boosted my confidence, helped me learn loads of new skills, and I’ve made some great friends along the way."

Hopwood Hall College operates across two campuses in Rochdale and Middleton and offers a range of T-Levels, A-Levels and vocational qualifications for school leavers and adult learners.

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