AS dozens of fresh-faced youngsters arrive at the Sheldonian Theatre to graduate from Oxford University next week, they may start to think they are suffering deja vu.

The name ‘O’Malley’ will be called out six times as six brothers and sisters pick up their degrees in one fell swoop on Saturday, November 5 – a possible record.

Mark, 47, Helen, 46, Charles, 44, Thomas, 42, Elizabeth, 38 and Edward, 33, all studied in the city of dreaming spires but never quite got round to graduating.

Mum of seven Helen O'Malley spent longest in the city, opening the Chiang Mai Kitchen with her then husband in the High Street and running it for 13 years.

She studied modern history at Balliol College from 1984 to 1987 and said: “It would be lovely if my children wanted to go there. I loved my time there, but really it's a bit early to say. With the introduction of tuition fees to leave university with that burden of debt is quite daunting.”

The youngest, Edward, finished his degree in ancient and modern history at New College in 2000 but then waited to get his masters. It took until now to get the ceremony organised so the sextet could graduate together.

The oldest brother, Mark, who studied modern history at Magdalen College from 1982-1985, has waited more than 25 years to pick up his degree.

He said there was no secret to how the siblings had got in: “There was luck involved and genes, and of course we were blessed with good education and good schools.”

A university spokesman said they were not aware of six members of the same family graduating together previously.