Students at Selwyn have achieved outstanding academic results for 2026, with the college's performance improving for the third year in a row.

Selwyn came second in the Baxter table, which ranks colleges' exam performance, behind only Trinity.

The results also show the breadth of academic achievement across the college. Of the 363 Selwyn students who took Tripos examinations this year, 91% achieved Good Honours, equivalent to a 2.i or better, which was the highest proportion in the University. Some 40.5% of students achieved a First, Distinction or starred First, with only two colleges recording over 40%.

Selwyn also had the second-highest proportion of Firsts in Cambridge, behind Trinity, while the average mark of 68.4% was again second only to Trinity's 69%. None of Selwyn's undergraduates failed their examinations, which only two other colleges’ students achieved.

Senior Tutor Mike Sewell said: “Well done to our students on their achievements which demonstrate their commitment and hard work. 

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to their success from the teaching and tutoring to the wider support provided by Fellows and staff across the college.”

The results are particularly notable given Selwyn's commitment to widening participation. Around 80% of the College's UK intake comes from maintained-sector schools, and Selwyn continues to meet or exceed the University's widening participation targets. The results demonstrate the academic success of students from a broad range of educational backgrounds when they are given the opportunity to thrive at Cambridge.

Some 37.4% of Selwyn's women students achieved Firsts, the highest proportion among women at Cambridge colleges. 93.5% achieved Good Honours, again the highest proportion, while their average mark of 68.2% was also the highest in the University.

Selwyn students also performed exceptionally well in the Natural Sciences Tripos. Over 50% of both our men and women were awarded Firsts. Across the University the proportion was 34.9%. Our proportion was the highest for any standard age college. Wolfson reached 66.7% firsts. We had the top ranked student in Part 1A, two students in the top ten in Part 1B and several were at or very near the top of the lists in their Part II and Part III papers.