Girls have overtaken boys in the race for places at Oxford University - the first time in its 900-year history.
Next autumn's intake of 3,300 is expected to show a higher number of applications from women than men. So far, 4,679 girls have applied compared to 4,661 boys.
The figures follow the trend of girls performing better at GCSEs than boys with ten per cent more gaining at least five grade Cs. Jane Minto, head of admissions at Oxford University, said: "We are delighted that we have encouraged more young women to apply. We were conscious that young women were doing very well in schools nationally, but they were still showing some hesitancy in applying here."
Oxford University only started admitting women in 1920 and, as recently as 1969, only 500 students were female.
Former successful women graduates include Baroness Thatcher, author Joanna Trollope and shadow home secretary Anne Widdecombe.
Story date: Monday 22 November
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