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Illia Mitiushnikov fled his home in Ukraine at the age of 15 and sought asylum in Wales, after war broke out in his home country. Now, almost three years later, the 18-year-old has secured a place at Oxford University, for one of the most prestigious degree courses, Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). The course has been dubbed “the Oxford degree that runs Britain” by The Guardian, and includes alumni such as former prime ministers David Cameron, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Edward Heath and Harold Wilson, as well as other global political leaders such as Tony Benn, Bill Clinton and Aung San Suu Kyi.
Illia and his mother live with a host family in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan and it was them who suggested he apply to Westbourne School, located in Penarth, South Wales. Illia was offered a free place under its refugee scholarship scheme and had been studying for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. In the summer of 2023, he achieved 10 A*s in his GCSEs and began the school’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in place of A-Levels.
Despite having doubts he could achieve his ambition of studying at Oxford, Illia explained that he couldn’t relax and knew he had to work hard to achieve his dream, stating that “I imagine the lives of all the soldiers who fight 24/7 for Ukraine and I can’t let myself chill out.” On receiving the news that he had been accepted to the University, Illia said that he called his family and they were “crying from happiness.”
While he hopes to improve the worldwide situation and solve international crises, such as the current war with Ukraine and Russia, Illia intends to work in banking initially, “just to stabilise in life, to help my family.” Like many of his PPE predecessors, Illia also considers a political career in his future. Global chief executive for Westbourne, Marie de Tito Mount, praised Illia’s achievements, stating that “it’s phenomenal achievement” and that “he’s seen the opportunities available and has grabbed them with both hands, so that’s something any school would be proud of”
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