Illia secures Oxford University place

Illia Chkheidze has secured a place at Oxford University after completing his A-levels at Coleg Llandrillo last year.

The 20-year-old, from Kyiv in Ukraine, gained an A* in Mathematics, A in Further Mathematics and A in Chemistry.

He has received an offer to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Christ Church college next year after applying during his gap year.

“I’m excited,” said Illia. “I have been learning English from Year 1 in school, and to be going to Oxford, which is world-famous and the oldest English-speaking university, is truly amazing.”

Illia moved to North Wales with his family following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022.

After two years at Coleg Llandrillo, he is now living in London, where he supports communities in his role as an Integration and Resettlement Officer for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

He has prior experience supporting people seeking refuge in the UK, having combined his college studies with working for Denbighshire County Council as an interpreter, resettlement caseworker, and employment caseworker.

Next month, Illia will attend the Houses of Parliament for Prime Minister's Question Time, having been invited by Gill German, MP for Clwyd North.

Illia said: "I work with a wide range of people who are new to this country. They’re eager to learn English and find employment - many of them achieve this within their first month here.

“I’m really pleased to be able to support the Ukrainian community in the UK. It’s also rewarding to see how people integrate into British society, and while learning new things, they continue to contribute in meaningful ways."

Illia and his family came to North Wales with the help of the Welsh Government, which pledged to support up to 1,000 Ukrainians to find accommodation in Wales but ended up exceeding that target.

“I think they did an excellent job in terms of supporting us, and we’re all grateful for the support we received,” said Illia.

Illia began studying Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry AS levels at Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhyl campus in September 2022, alongside his work for Denbighshire County Council.

After a year he decided he wanted to take Further Mathematics rather than Physics. He completed the whole two-year Further Maths course in one year at the Rhos-on-Sea campus - making his impressive A-level results all the more remarkable.

“I found the environment to be very supportive,” said Illia. “When I initially came to the UK I was aiming to go straight to university, because I had already graduated from Ukrainian high school. But our school system is one year shorter so it was not academically enough.

“I think being in college was an advantage for me because I was able to improve my English by speaking to teachers and classmates, and by being part of the community here in North Wales.

“So now I feel much more confident going to university than I would have been two or three years ago.”

Illia regularly returns to Rhyl to visit family and friends, saying: “I’ve made new friends in Wales. I enjoy walking by the sea now - we didn’t have sea where I lived in Ukraine, so that was a new thing! It was a great time for studying because there were no distractions. I could really focus on my studies.”

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: "I warmly congratulate Illia on his outstanding A-level results and his remarkable achievements since arriving in Wales. His success, both academically and in helping other refugees through his work, shows what people can achieve when given the right support and opportunities. I wish him well in his studies.

"Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, we have welcomed around 8,000 people from Ukraine to Wales. From the moment they arrive, we want everyone seeking sanctuary here to feel safe, supported, and part of our community, where they can rebuild their lives and truly belong."

Councillor Rhys Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities for Denbighshire County Council, said: “Denbighshire has created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for those who have come here to seek refuge.

“For Illia to have achieved so much in such a short time is a credit to the determination of young people like him who have been through such troubling times in their own country, and have had to move far away from all they know at such short notice.

“Local schools and colleges also need to be thanked for supporting pupils like Illia. His story is a true inspiration, and sets a good example for all of the young people of Denbighshire who are currently in education.”

Do you want to study A-levels? Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Sixth Form centres offer more than 30 subjects, and are a great place to make new friends and gain independence. Learn more here