TOP DEGREE AT 15...IS A FIRST!
Genius aces maths course
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A BOY of 15 is believed to be the nation’s youngest graduate after gaining his first-class maths degree.
Yasha Asley aced his studies and now plans on starting a PhD this year before eventually becoming a research mathematician.
The child prodigy passed his degree course with honours at the age when most pupils are doing their GCSEs.
He said: “I am grateful for the opportunity that was created for me.
“I will have great memories to look back on and I look forward to continuing my education here at Leicester by embarking on a PhD in September.
“From primary school days I wanted to start university education early. I love absolutely everything about mathematics.”
Yasha began the three-year degree course aged 12 after being fast-tracked. During his ® time at Leicester University he became its youngest-ever paid employee by running maths tutorials for adults at 13.
Previously, he was the first child in the world to achieve an A-grade in maths A level, scoring 100% and 99% in two of the six papers, aged only eight.
He passed additional A levels in maths and statistics by the time he was 10.
His dad Moussa said: “I am so proud of him – I have waited years for this day. I always knew he could do it.”
Professor Jeremy Levesley, who taught the lad, said: “It has been a great pleasure to work with Yasha.
“He has proven to be one of the best students we have ever had here so it is great that he is staying with us to do a PhD.
“I think he is a great bloke and will go on to do really interesting things.”