6-Year-Old Prodigy, Joshua Beckford, Makes History as the Youngest African Admitted to Oxford University

By the age of two, Joshua could fluently read using phonics and even spoke Japanese. Remarkably, at four years old, he engaged in activities such as playing with a laptop and simulating the removal of body organs.

Jan 22, 2024 - 13:07 Updated: Jan 22, 2024 - 16:45

6-Year-Old Prodigy, Joshua Beckford, Makes History as the Youngest African Admitted to Oxford University

In a remarkable achievement, 6-year-old Joshua Beckford, born to Nigerian parents, has set a new record as the youngest person ever accepted into Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Joshua was admitted to study Philosophy and History, showcasing his extraordinary intellectual capabilities despite being diagnosed with Autism.

From an early age, Joshua demonstrated exceptional abilities. At just 10 months old, his father, Knox Daniel, noticed his son's advanced cognitive skills when he memorized and understood letters on a computer keyboard. By the age of two, Joshua could fluently read using phonics and even spoke Japanese. Remarkably, at four years old, he engaged in activities such as playing with a laptop and simulating the removal of body organs.

Recognizing Joshua's advanced intellect, his father decided to homeschool him, realizing that traditional curricula couldn't match his son's abilities. Subsequently, he contacted Oxford University, inquiring about a philosophy course for bright children aged eight to thirteen. Despite being six years old at the time, Joshua was accepted to study Philosophy and History at the prestigious institution.

Joshua Beckford's journey at Oxford University was nothing short of exceptional, graduating with distinctions in both Philosophy and History. Expressing his aspirations, Joshua shared, "I want to save the earth. I want to change the world and change people's ideas to doing the right things about earth."

Beyond his academic prowess, Joshua excels in science, math, foreign languages, and history. His dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon are evident in his practical skills, including practicing gall bladder removals and appendectomy procedures.

This remarkable achievement follows the recent accomplishment of Laurent Simons, an 11-year-old from Belgium who earned a Bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of Antwerp in just one year, completing a three-year course in record time.

As young prodigies like Joshua Beckford and Laurent Simons continue to defy age norms in academic pursuits, their stories inspire and underscore the limitless potential that exists within the realm of education.