An A-level student is celebrating her place at Cambridge University after a dramatic re-mark.

City and Islington College student Faye Guy, 18, had a conditional offer to study English literature at the world-renowned university.

But when she opened the envelope on A-level results day last month at the college, she saw her grades had fallen short of the entry requirements.

She had achieved two As in English literature and drama/theatre studies and a B in history. However, she needed an A* to make the grade at Cambridge,

Faye explained: “At first I thought I had read it wrong, because I was so sure I’d get what I needed. I felt that although they were excellent grades they didn’t match the amount of work I’d put into them.

“After talking to my parents, I went to find the careers team, who said I should talk to my teachers. I spoke to them and they both agreed that my results were a surprise, and said they would ask for a high priority re-mark of my exams.

“The careers team called Cambridge and Edinburgh and asked them to hold a place for me until the re-marks came in.

“I applied to York through clearing while I waited, and was offered a place, which was wonderful, and very comforting.”

When she received the re-mark on Monday last week, it turned out Faye had achieved an A* in English literature after all.

Faye, an actress and musician, has ambitions of becoming a theatre director, and said: “I was ecstatic when the remarks came in at A*, A and B and that Cambridge had given me a place.”

Joanne Bishop, head of careers at the college, in Goswell Road, Finsbury, said the incident showed why the careers service is on hand during results days.

“We are over the moon that Faye has been accepted into Cambridge.

“This is a classic example of how important careers advisors are for supporting A-level students through the range of issues and processes that can occur during their applications to university.”