Harvey studied A Levels in Geology, Maths and Physics at York College from 2020 to 2022. He achieved BCC grades in his A Levels, which meant he couldn’t go to his first-choice university. Instead, he went through Clearing and eventually studied Geology at Keele, graduating with First Class Honours in 2025.

Following this, Harvey went on to an MPhil (research Master’s) at Keele, researching the first rocks to have been drilled from the Earth’s mantle. He is due to complete this in September 2026, at which point he will move on to studying for a PhD at the University of St Andrews. As part of his research, he is due to work in Australia collecting rock samples. Harvey applied for several PhD positions, and he also received an opportunity to work at the University of Cambridge!

Harvey’s story is a great example of how things might not work out how you originally planned, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go on to achieve great things. In early 2026, he returned to campus to talk to the Geography and Geology first-year classes about Geology as a university subject, during which he shared his inspirational journey with the students. Harvey said of his time at York College: “York College’s geology programme inspired me to study geology, so I’m extremely grateful to have been able to return and share my experience with the next generation of students.”