Bethan Hoole (18) a talented young footballer and aspiring lawyer from Dinas Powys is celebrating a remarkable academic goal this week – a place to study Law at the University of Oxford, joining University College this autumn.
Having achieved 4 A*s in her A Levels in Economics, Government & Politics, History and Biology at Cardiff Sixth Form College Bethan also scored 11 A*s and 1 A at GCSE. Alongside her academic pursuits, she has been playing football for eight years as a goalkeeper for Sully FC, where she helped her team win the U16s grassroots league title.
“Football has taught me resilience, focus, and how to work under pressure — all things I’ll carry with me to Oxford,” Bethan said. “It’s also been a great escape and a way to balance out school life with something active and fun.”
Bethan attended Cardiff Sixth Form College where she was awarded a scholarship. Motivated by personal challenges, Bethan says she’s determined to make the most of every opportunity to support her family.
“Seeing how hard my parents work has made me want to succeed even more,” she shared. “My parents trust me to make my own decisions — and that makes me want to make them proud.”
Her growing interest in corporate law stems from work experience at a local law firm, where she shadowed solicitors and witnessed first-hand how the legal system functions. She’s taken part in Model United Nations (MUN) and has been commended in national essay-writing competitions.
Bethan has won multiple accolades, including the Welsh Academic Award and Health and Social Care Award and is known for her tenacity, work ethic, and consistency — qualities that helped her stand out in the ultra-competitive Oxford admissions process.
Her decision to apply to Oxford was sparked by a mix of curiosity and instinct. “I went to the open day and just felt like I could see myself there,” she said. “It wasn’t just the prestige, it was the sense of possibility.”
Now, with her sights set on a future in law, Bethan is excited to explore how legal careers allow for intellectual challenge and meaningful interaction with people from all walks of life.
“Law felt like the right fit,” she said. “It’s about fairness, understanding people, and making a difference — whether in business, society or beyond.”
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