Two foreign-born Harrow College students who arrived in the UK, speaking little English, four years ago are celebrating today after attaining places at university.

Anca Purcaru,23, who is from Romania and Dawit Goytom,20, from Eritrea came to the UK aged 19 and 16.

They both completed an English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) course at the college before sitting further qualifications.

Anca, who was elected as student union president during her time at Harrow College, studied a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business.

This morning she received the happy news that she had gained a distinction. She is now off to her first choice – Birmingham University – to study Law.

She said: “Four years ago when I came to this college I didn’t speak much English and I was not very confident at all.

“But I had so much help and support and that made me want to work really hard and get involved in college life.

“Although I’m really excited about studying at Birmingham, I will miss this place.”

Dawit is also pleased to have received a spot at London Metropolitan University to study Business and Economics after missing the grades for his first choice university.

He gained C grades in Economics and Photography.

The teenager, who held down two jobs while studying for his A levels, said he wants to study Economics to better understand why some countries are rich and others so poor.

After all the effort to learn English and gain a place at university he’s relieved to know his hard work has paid off.

“It’s been hard work. I’m just glad to know what I’m going to be doing for now,” he said.