Jacob Lewis, the Cambridge fresher who gained national attention last year after securing a place to study Law despite being without a fixed abode at the time of his A-Level exams, has participated in a BBC Wales documentary about Welsh students at Oxbridge.

The documentary, entitled Is It Because I’m From Wales?, aired on Monday and examined the reasons why so few Welsh students are applying and gaining places at Oxbridge, with only 61 Welsh pupils gaining places at Cambridge last year, and 77 at Oxford.

Speaking to Varsity, Lewis, who was forced to sleep on friends’ sofas after a major fall-out with his family, said that he wanted to “use my story to encourage Welsh kids to apply”, and to attempt to counter misconceptions about Oxbridge that might discourage potential candidates from applying.

These misconceptions include what he termed “such stupid reasons like thinking it’s too expensive”, adding that “Welsh kids are charged the same whether they go Oxbridge or the University of Mediocrity”.

Lewis also spoke of the work he has been carrying out in Wales, “doing lots of talks”, and saying that access work is “about changing perceptions, breaking down imaginary barriers and stuff”.

He also countered some of the criticism that Oxbridge often receives about being “elitist”, claiming: “of course Cambridge is elitist – but academically elitist and that’s the way it should be”, claiming it’s “about merit, not money”. He added: “In that sense, I hope that Oxbridge never changes.”

Lewis also addressed the controversy surrounding his offer from Hughes Hall of four A* grades, as opposed to the average offer of A*AA. He told Varsity that he was “grateful for it” and that he wished people would “stop giving Cambridge a hard time about it”.

Describing this offer as a “challenge”, he argued that “all colleges should do it”, claiming that Oxbridge would be less likely to “miss out on top talent” if, instead of rejecting applicants who “don’t perform” at interview, the universities give these applicants “the top offer and see who rises to the challenge”.

Lewis emphasised his opinion that offers such as his “actually widen access”, and claimed: “People should stop shouting ‘Cambridge, those elitist, Welshist bastards!’ and start believing in our students!”