Buckinghamshire students have one of the best records for securing places at Oxford or Cambridge University, new figures reveal.

But social mobility charity the Sutton Trust warns that someone's chances of going to a top university, which it says is the surest route to a good job, differs significantly depending on where they grow up.

Department for Education data shows that 127 of 4,236 students who finished their 16 to 18 study in Buckinghamshire in 2015-16 secured a spot at one of the two world-class institutions within two years.

At three percent of all students, this was one of the highest rates of school leavers in England to gain a coveted place at one of the universities.

The figures only include those from state-funded schools and colleges who did A-level or equivalent qualifications, and who continuously studied at university for at least six months.

Buckinghamshire’s Oxbridge students formed part of the 31 percent of college leavers in the area who went to one of the 24 leading Russell Group universities.

And 41 percent of students entered one of the top third most competitive institutions, ranked by the average exam results of entrants.

Overall, 3,008 students in Buckinghamshire (71 percent) went on to study a degree or equivalent course within two years.

Across England, 58 percent of young people who finished their compulsory education in 2015-16 spent at least six months on a degree or similar course within two years – 214,000 students.

This included 20% at a top third destination, 14 percent with a Russell Group place, and just one percent at Oxford or Cambridge.

But the figures differed widely throughout the country – 36 percent of students in Reading, in the South East, went to a Russell Group university, while the figure for Knowsley, in the North West, stood at just one percent.

Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust, said: “Getting a degree from a leading university is one of the surest routes to a good job.

“Yet these figures tell us that where you grow up has a significant impact on your chances of going.”

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said that while the number of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who go to university has increased, it is still a lot fewer than those from wealthier groups.

He added: “The next government – whoever it is – must ensure that schools and colleges have the funding and supply of teachers they need to support these students.”

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “As a government, we have seen a record rate of disadvantaged 18-year olds going to university, and we have made it a priority to ensure that we continue to improve access and participation across the country.”