Maths prodigy, 14, offered Cambridge place

A young maths prodigy who broke records with his GCSE results is set to achieve a new academic landmark.

Arran Fernandez has been offered a place at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, aged just 14.

According to his father, Neil Fernandez, it will make him the youngest Cambridge undergraduate since William Pitt the Younger went to the university at the same age in 1773.

The conditional offer was made after Arran, from Surrey, passed exams set by the university last summer.

Prof. David Cardwell, who will be teaching Arran, said: "Fitzwilliam College decided to make Arran a conditional offer after considering his application very carefully, as we do with all students who apply, regardless of background.

"The college looks forward to welcoming Arran in October should he meet his offer, and to helping him develop and fulfil his considerable academic potential to ensure a productive and rewarding experience during his studies at Cambridge."

To enrol on the course, Arran, who already has A-levels in maths and further maths, needs to pass his A-level physics exam.

The home-educated teenager said: "Maths has been my favourite subject for as long as I can remember. "I enjoy being home schooled because I'm more involved. I can see the mark schemes and help my dad decide the curriculum."

The degree, or "tripos" as it is known to Cambridge students, is widely regarded as one of the most difficult in the world.

Former scholars include Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking.

Arran first made headlines in 2001 when, aged five, he gained the highest grade possible in the foundation maths paper.

He went on to sit the intermediate GCSE paper the following summer and gained A* in the advanced level paper in 2003.

At the time Arran said he aspired to be "a mathematician, lorry driver or space explorer".

Speaking about his latest ambition, Arran said he now hopes to be a research mathematician.

"It would be nice to work for Cambridge. There are a few things I want to work on; I'd like to solve the Riemann hypothesis."

The Riemann hypothesis is a theory about the patterns of prime numbers that has baffled the greatest mathematicians for 150 years.