A student has been awarded a scholarship to study at a top university, beating hundreds of other candidates.

Mayur Patel, who studied a BTEC at Stanmore College, Elm Park, was given the grant to read computer science at Kings College London.

The £30,000 STEM scholarship is awarded to students studying science, technology, engineering or maths to degree level.

Mayur took a two-year BTEC in IT networking in 2012, gaining a triple distinction star - the equivalent to three A*s at A-level.

But he decided to take a gap year before accepting his place at university, to save money and undertake internships in IT.

He said: “ I decided to apply because I did not want to come out of university in debt.

“My parents cannot afford to fund the course and I looked at the eligibility criteria and decided to apply.

“It is reassuring to know that universities are concerned about less privileged students having the chance to go to university and offer scholarships.”