Exmouth man on course to realise dream of becoming a doctor.

An Exmouth lad is one step closer to his dream of becoming doctor after being accepted by a prestigious Devon university.

Joseph Oates, 18, described by his father as one hundred per cent Exmouthian, has been offered a place at Exeter University Medical School to study Medicine.

The keen rugby player, surfer and musician has wanted to become a doctor since he was 14.

Joseph studied all the sciences at GCSE, as well as the other compulsory subjects, and went on to study Chemistry, Biology and Maths at A Level.

The Journal was informed of Joseph’s success by his proud father, Steve Oates, he said: “He’s a good lad who has already made loads of sacrifices to get where he is now.

“He had his sights set on being a Dr since about 14, he used to say when he was younger that he wanted to be an X-Ray Engineer, but I talked him out of that as he’s a lot cleverer than me.

“He’s stayed away from the beach, booze and loads of other distractions, left parties early, devised revision plans, wallpapered my house in equations and chemical reactions and went to bed early.

“The upshot is, if you want something and you have the natural ability, have support networks and good friends and family it is possible with a lot of hard work. He’s done immeasurably well and is a great ambassador for today’s youth.”

The 18-year-old has just returned from a six-week interrailing trip across Europe and is used to travelling on a shoestring thanks to trips with his father to North America, South America and South East Asia.

Joseph was educated almost entirely in Exmouth, starting off at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School before moving up to Exmouth Community College, where he stayed on at Sixth Form.

He applied to study Medicine at universities in Exeter, Manchester, Nottingham and Plymouth and attended interviews at three of his choices.

The five year Bachelor of Medicine degree programme is based at Exeter University’s St Luke’s campus.