AN Oxford masters student has been named the top black student in the UK.

Ndakuna Fonso Amidou of Green Templeton College and the Oxford Internet Institute was presented at Westminster on Friday.

The social science student grew up in a village outside Bameda, in the north west region of Cameroon, where he did not start formal schooling until he was 10.

After taking his o'levels in his village school and qualifying as a mental health nurse Mr Amidou eventually joined his brother in London.

He worked for the NHS for five years before studying engineering as an undergraduate at Brunel University and continued to work as a nurse throughout his studies.

In 2008 he founded a healthcare clinic in Cameroon to address the lack of access to healthcare in rural areas.

Today the clinic employs more than 22 nurses and serves around 100 patients per day.

Raph Mokades, managing director of diversity recruitment firm Rare, which runs the awards, said: "Every year, I am stunned by the quality of the Stars.

"Every year, I am inspired.

"Often facing unfavourable circumstances, our Stars have achieved remarkable things, and they deserve to be recognised."

Now in its eighth year, Rare Rising Stars celebrates the achievements of black students in the UK.

The judging panel included David Lammy MP, Trevor Phillips OBE, Jean Tomlin OBE and Adrian Joseph of Google.

Oxford University has featured prominently on the Rare Rising Stars list, with fourteen entries and three winners over the last eight years.