A teenager who was told he had no chance of making it to Cambridge due to his background is now studying law at the prestigious university.

Callum Stevens, 20, from Bolton, Manchester, came from a single-parent family after his mum, Maria, gave birth to him when she was just 16.

Although the odds were stacked against the aspiring lawyer, the dedicated student managed to bag a spot at one of the most prestigious universities in the world thanks to a mentoring scheme. 

The 20-year-old explained that he would ‘never change’ where he grew up as it has taught him important life lessons. 

Speaking to the Metro, he said: ‘I would never change where I come from, there is a true camaraderie to be had and I thoroughly believe that such an upbringing will teach you things that formal education never will.

Callum Stevens, from Bolton, Manchester, who was told he had no chance of making it to Cambridge due to his background, is now studying law at the prestigious university

At Callum’s state school, 50 per cent of students were eligible for free school meals and only 30 per cent achieved a Grade 5 or above in English or Maths.

As such, he says his teachers never expected him to be applying for such an elite university – especially as his mother or grandmother didn’t go on to higher education.

He said: ‘When I was at school it was often said that ”people like you don’t go to places like Cambridge”, so I decided to apply as a joke at first.

‘The comments were not only disheartening but difficult to overcome as they did not come from a place of animosity, but misinformation.’

Callum landed a work experience placement with a law firm in Year 10 which ignited his passion for law.

He then moved to Holy Cross College in Bury with a new support network and input from the Zero Gravity social mobility tech company. 

As Callum didn’t see Cambridge as a ‘serious option’, he applied for several other universities.

However, he secured his place at Christ’s College with A*’s in Law, English Literature and Mathematics.

Callum came from a single-parent family after his mum, Maria, gave birth to him when she was just 16

Callum said the primary barrier that his place of upbringing put before him was mindset (pictured as a child)

While applying for Cambridge, Callum received help through the process through his Zero Gravity mentor Annabelle, who had recently graduated with a degree in Law.

In hindsight, Callum says this support was ‘vital’ to him and he continues to receive help from the organisation.

The Zero Gravity Fund, also gave the law student a £1,000-a-year scholarship for the duration of his course. 

He admitted: ‘It has opened me up to so many opportunities which otherwise wouldn’t have been available. I hope that no matter what I go on to achieve in life, I will make an active contribution to bring those opportunities to those from upbringings like mine.

‘Getting to university is just one hurdle, funding it is entirely different. This has allowed me to focus on my studies, attend prestigious internships and make the most out of university life.’

Callum was raised by his mother and his grandmother also had a huge impact on his life (pictured with his mum)

Callum posed for a snap with fellow Christ’s student Laura at the college’s May Ball in 2022

Zero Gravity was started by Joe Seddon when he was just 21, after he grew up in a single-parent family and went to state school before attending Oxford.  

He came from a single parent, state school background and grew up in Morley, West Yorkshire before going on to study at Oxford.

As a result, he witnessed first-hand how challenging it can be for someone from his background to enter elite institutions such as Oxbridge, which is what encouraged him to set up Zero Gravity with the last £200 of his student loan. 

Zero Gravity have supported over 8000 students from low opportunity backgrounds into top universities around the UK.

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I was told I’d never get into Cambridge – I only applied as a joke and bagged a place on Law course

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