Sixth-formers Fuchsia Hart and Joshua Ashley have been accepted at Oxford, along with Patrick Page, who left Stonyhurst last summer to undertake a gap year. Fuschia will take Oriental Studies, Joshua will study English Literature and Patrick will take Theology.

In addition, Cambridge University has offered places to Roisin Parish and Matthias Beestermoller, who will both study Economics.

Jonathan Hewat, Stonyhurst College Admissions and Marketing Manager, said: "Gaining admission to Oxford and Cambridge Universities is one of the toughest academic challenges a school leaver in the UK can face.

Only the very brightest and most highly qualified apply, yet applications still outnumber available places by five to one.

"This year, with the aid of specific and specialist preparation, we are delighted that five Stonyhurst pupils have been successful in this most competitive of intellectual ordeals. Four of the pupils have been offered conditional places and one has received an unconditional offer. It is a great credit to them."