Record-Breaking EPQ Helps Malaysian Student Secure University Place as A-Level Results Are Celebrated
Posted: 13th August 2026
Cardiff Sixth Form College Cambridge student Zhixuan Lim is celebrating his A-Level results today after securing his place to study Mathematics with Physics at University College London and achieving the highest Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) mark in the College’s history.
Originally from Johor, Malaysia, Zhixuan studied Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry gaining four A* grades at Cardiff Sixth Form College after previously attending school in Malaysia. Having moved overseas and become a boarder for the first time, he embraced the opportunity to study in one of the UK’s most academically focused environments.
“I knew I wanted to study something mathematical, but I wasn’t entirely sure what area when I arrived,” said Zhixuan. “Cardiff Sixth Form College gave me the opportunity to explore mathematics at a much deeper level and develop interests that I hope to pursue at university and beyond.”
His standout achievement came through his EPQ, which received an extraordinary score of 97% — the highest mark ever awarded for an EPQ at Cardiff Sixth Form College Cambridge.
The project tackled a highly complex area of mathematical biology, examining how mathematical models can be used to predict changes in predator and prey populations over time.
Titled ‘How Can the Lotka-Volterra Model Be Improved with Logistic Theory, Biological Decoys and Holling’s Type II Functional Responses When Modelling the Dynamics of Predator-Prey Interaction?’, the project explored how populations of species such as foxes and rabbits change and interact over time.
“I wanted to study differential equations and apply mathematics to something that exists in the real world,” explained Zhixuan. “The project examined how predator and prey populations affect one another and how mathematical models can help us understand those relationships.”
The classic Lotka-Volterra model assumes that whenever a predator encounters prey, the prey population decreases. However, Zhixuan’s research investigated how the model could be improved by incorporating additional biological and environmental factors.
“I found that the original model is elegant and intuitive, but it is ultimately too simple to fully explain how populations change in nature,” he said. “Real ecosystems are affected by many other factors such as weather, disease, environmental limits, reproductive cycles and changes in hunting behaviour.”
His work explored how predators require time to hunt, consume and digest prey, and how these delays can significantly affect population dynamics.
“If predators don’t adapt their behaviour over time, they may actually die out,” he explained. “The model was useful because it provided a framework that allowed me to add increasingly complex biological ideas, but no mathematical model is ever likely to predict population changes with complete accuracy.”
The project reflects Zhixuan’s growing interest in applying mathematics to real-world challenges, particularly within environmental science.
“I enjoy the interdisciplinary nature of mathematical modelling,” he said. “I’m fascinated by the way mathematics can help us understand nature, whether that’s population changes, climate systems or environmental processes.”
Alongside the predator-prey project, Zhixuan also independently developed a disease-modelling study based on the spread of COVID-19, further exploring how mathematics can be used to understand complex systems.
His passion for mathematics has been demonstrated through numerous national and international competitions. He was a finalist in the prestigious Ritangle Competition, a team-based mathematical problem-solving and coding challenge, and competed as part of the College’s mathematics competition team.
His achievements include a Silver Award in the UK Senior Mathematics Challenge, a Gold Award in the Intermediate Mathematics Challenge, a Distinction in Canada’s Fermat Mathematics Competition, a Distinction in the Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge and a Bronze Award in the British Physics Olympiad.
Outside the classroom, Zhixuan has embraced a wide range of activities. He is a member of the College badminton team and recently competed in a tournament in London. He also enjoys running and has previously competed as a swimmer, training several times a week in Malaysia.
A keen debater, he has competed in both British Parliamentary and Asian Parliamentary debating formats, including the Cambridge Regional Debating Competition and ESU Mace debates.
One memorable debate tackled the unusual motion: “Would you become polyamorous if your partner became a worm?”
“It sounds ridiculous, but that’s part of what makes debating so enjoyable,” he laughed. “You have to take unusual scenarios seriously and build logical arguments around them. It’s challenging, creative and often very funny.”
Zhixuan is also an accomplished musician, achieving Grade 8 Piano and teaching himself guitar and performed at College music recitals.
His university ambitions reflect his passion for applied mathematics and looking ahead, he hopes to build a career that combines mathematics with real-world problem-solving.
“I can see myself working in areas where mathematics helps us understand large systems, whether that’s environmental modelling, weather forecasting, population dynamics or potentially finance,” he said. “One of the things I love about mathematics is how transferable it is. The same principles can be applied to so many different fields.”
Said Cardiff Sixth Form College Cambridge Principal, Dr Julian Davies: “As Zhixuan celebrates his A-Level results and prepares for the next stage of his academic journey, he leaves Cardiff Sixth Form College with a record-breaking achievement that reflects both his intellectual curiosity and his passion for understanding the world through mathematics. He has been an excellent pupil and with us has really honed his passion for maths”.
“The EPQ taught me that mathematics isn’t just about numbers,” Zhixuan added. “It’s a way of understanding how complex systems work, and that’s something I want to keep exploring for the rest of my career.”
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Cardiff Sixth Form College. For further information please contact Henrietta Lightwood on henriettaclaire.lightwood@ccoex.com or mobile 07788 289937.
