STUDENTS from Cronton Sixth Form College have been proving that it is not only good A-level grades which get you into the country's top universities.


Fifteen students have secured places at a range of Russell Group universities after top marks in their vocational BTEC qualifications.


Russell Group universities are among some of the country's elite institutes and includes the likes of University of Liverpool, the University of Manchester and the University of Leeds.


Among those progressing are Shannon Tillett, previously from The Bankfield School, who will be starting her degree in microbiology and immunology at the University of Leeds in September after gaining a D*D*D* in her BTEC extended diploma in applied science.


Shannon is aiming to become a research microbiologist. 


She said: "Microbiology has always been a passion of mine. I love working in a laboratory environment and this career will allow me to travel all over the world."


Daniel Swales, previously from Wade Deacon High School, will also be starting a business and finance degree at the University of Liverpool after gaining D*D*D* in his BTEC extended diploma in business. 


He said: "Cronton Sixth Form has a great working environment and is really easy to get to. I am now planning at train as an accountant when I start my degree after the summer."


The college achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in its vocational courses with 93 per cent gaining high grades and 72 per cent getting the top triple distinction or distinction star grades which are the equivalent to three A grades at A Level.