British-Pakistani Teen Shatters : In a jaw-dropping academic feat, 18-year-old Mahnoor Cheema — a British-Pakistani student — has smashed four world records and secured a coveted spot at the University of Oxford to study Medicine. And yes, she did it all before turning 19.
24 A-Levels, 58 Distinctions & a Place at Oxford
Mahnoor’s academic journey reads like something out of a movie. She completed 24 A-Level subjects — all with top distinctions — plus an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), setting a world record for the most A-Level subjects completed with distinction through a single exam board.
But that’s just the beginning.
- She earned 19 A and A grades* in A-Levels — another world record.
- Combined with her 34 A grades in GCSEs/O Levels, Mahnoor now holds a staggering 45 A grades, the highest ever awarded to a secondary school student globally.
- Her total number of subjects passed with distinction? 58 — including 24 A-Levels and 34 GCSEs.
And she wasn’t even done at 16. That’s when Mahnoor had already passed 34 GCSE subjects, including 17 A grades in Year 10*, locking in her fifth and sixth world records.
Oxford Bound — With a MacBook Gifted by Nawaz Sharif
Speaking from her home in Langley, West London, Mahnoor called her Oxford admission “a dream come true.”
“It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to start the next chapter of my life. I owe everything to my parents’ sacrifices and support,” she said.
Born in Lahore, Mahnoor moved to the UK in 2006 when her parents — Barrister Usman Cheema and Tayyaba Cheema — pursued higher education. She studied at Langley Grammar School and Henrietta Barnett School before switching to homeschooling for her final year.
Her achievements have earned praise from top leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former PM Nawaz Sharif, who called her “the daughter of the nation” and gifted her a MacBook — which she used for her Oxford interviews.
Not Just a Brainiac — She’s a Musician, Actor & Public Speaker Too
Mahnoor isn’t just about books. She holds an AMusTCL diploma in music (equivalent to an undergraduate degree) earned at age 16. She’s also a gold medalist in Acting and Public Speaking from LAMDA and completed her EPQ in just 10 days — with a perfect score.
Oh, and she’s a Mensa member, too.
British-Pakistani Teen Shatters: Making Pakistan Proud
Mahnoor’s story is a powerful reminder of what dedication, talent, and family support can achieve. Her success isn’t just personal — it’s national. She’s become a symbol of pride for Pakistanis around the world, proving that brilliance knows no borders.