A girl who fled war-torn Afghanistan three years ago has failed to win a university place – despite gaining six A* and A grades at A-level.

Rohilla Maarij, 18, was rejected by four medical schools and fears she may now have to give up her dream of becoming a doctor.

The teenager – described as 'outstanding' by staff at her sixth form - had only been learning English for two years when her family left Kabul and claimed asylum in the UK.

But she achieved her GCSEs in just one year, winning a full set of A* and A grades at Manchester Academy.

Rohilla, of Fallowfield, moved on to William Hulme Grammar School, in Whalley Range – where she learned yesterday she had gained a A* in maths and As in biology, chemistry, physics, further maths and Persian.

But her applications to study medicine at Manchester, Cambridge, University College London (UCL) and Queen Mary's had already been turned down.

Full round up of A-level results school-by-school

Rohilla – who lives with her parents and three sisters – said: "I am really pleased with my results but very disappointed not to get into any universities.

"My parents have seen how upset I am and have said I should think about doing something else.

"But I really want to be a doctor - so I think I will take a gap year and re-apply next year."

Rohilla – who is fluent in four languages - had already been predicted top grades when she was rejected by the universities.

Manchester and Cambridge both said her interview had not been good enough, while UCL did not give a reason.

Queen Mary's said Rohilla's score in the UK Clinical Aptitude Test - the entry exam for all medical students - had not been high enough, despite her scoring above national average.

Nigel Veevers, head of sixth form at William Hulme, said he was baffled by the rejections.

"We are so proud of Rohilla,” he said. “She's had total dedication ever since she arrived here.

Surprised

"We were very surprised when we were told she hadn't got into medical school and I think they should have taken her background into account."

Withington MP John Leech said: "You would think universities would be queuing up to offer someone with grades like this a place.

"Rohilla has done outstandingly well and achieved so much considering the circumstances and clearly deserves a place to study medicine.

"It worries me that someone who gets these grades can't get into university."

A spokesperson for Manchester University said: "The number of applicants for medicine with good grades far exceeds the number of places available.

"If this student had been made an offer at the time she would have been accepted."

Cambridge University declined to comment.

Rohilla's plight comes after a record 27 per cent of A level papers was given an A* or A grade. That – combined with an all time-high 379,411 successful university and college applications – has left scores of high-flying students missing out.

A second Greater Manchester teenager – Meera Mistry, 18, from Ashton Under Lyne – was also rejected from four medical schools after gaining three A*s and two As.

Full round up of A-level results school-by-school