AN outstanding Crickhowell student is in the running to win free tuition for life at Wales's top University.

Crickhowell High School A level student, Matthew Rolley has reached the final of Cardiff University's Thrive Challenge – the culmination of a series of challenges offering one outstanding student the chance of a Lifetime Scholarship.

The Thrive Challenge involves a series of tests and activities designed to identify the most exceptional applicant to the University.

Finalist Matthew, who plans to study engineering at Cardiff University from September said, "The Challenge is a unique opportunity as the prize would give me the chance to explore all my interests, and not worry about the cost of doing so.  

" I found the video task the most difficult because it was time consuming to think of the concept and do the filming of the video.

"I have chosen to study at Cardiff as the university and city both have a really nice atmosphere. Compared to the other universities I visited, I felt like the course and the place would be a really nice fit for me. I also think that I'd be a great ambassador for the university, as I'm a hard worker and really enjoy talking to people.

"To win the scholarship would mean a lot to me. There are so many different things I'd love to study, and the scholarship would give me the chance to branch out from the subjects I am currently studying.

"For example, I really enjoyed languages at GCSE and would love to study a language further in the future, as well as do a Masters.

"I'd love the opportunity to work hard and study all of these different things, without worrying about the costs."

Over the last five months the applicant's have faced a series if challenges testing their academic ability through online tests, as well as giving them a chance to express their creativity and personality by producing an online video.

To decide on the winner, the six finalists will take part in an assessment day final at Cardiff University to take part in a group challenge, one-to-one interviews and give a ten minute presentation on the subject they have applied to study.

The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 10.

Louise Casella, Director of Strategic Development at Cardiff University said, We launched the Challenge to generate extra excitement around Cardiff University's 2012 undergraduate recruitment campaign, 'Thrive', and recognise the quality of applicants we continue to attract each year.

"It has been a resounding success and we were hugely impressed with the calibre of the entrants and particularly the six finalists."