Child genius, nine, attracts the attention of universities around the world

Child genius, nine, with an IQ of 145 is set to become the world’s youngest EVER university graduate – and his parents are hoping for a place at Oxford

  • Laurent Simons, nine, from Amsterdam, has been offered Masters and PhDs
  • Child genius will finish his first degree in December, nine months after starting
  • Laurent’s mentor John Wilkes, has recommended he attends Oxford university 

A nine-year-old boy who is set to become the youngest ever person to complete a degree, is inundated by offers from the world’s top universities for post-graduate studies.   

Laurent Simons from Amsterdam, who is currently studying for a degree in electrical engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology, is set to graduate next month after completing his studies in just nine months. 

Laurent who completed secondary school aged eight, is set to finish his first degree in December and will take the title of the world’s youngest graduate from Michael Kearney, who gained a degree from the University of Alabama at the age of ten.

The youngster, who completed high school at the age of eight after completing the entire programme in 18 months, has hopes of one day becoming an astronaut or heart surgeon.

He told The Telegraph that he wants to travel to California to continue his studies because the weather if good there, but his father Alexander is also keen to consider moving to the UK. 

‘Oxford and Cambridge are also in the major league and it would be very much more convenient for us,’ the 37-year-old dentist said. 

Laurent Simons, nine, (pictured) from Amsterdam, has received a flood of offers from universities from around the world as he prepares to complete his first degree this December

He admitted that he and Laurent’s mother Lydia, 29, who works as an office manager said that it was his grandparents who first noticed their son’s abilities.

The parents thought they were just championing the youngster like all proud grandparents, but Laurent turned out to be uniquely gifted.

He started school aged four, and then completed the next five years of study in the space of just 12 months.  

Professor Peter Baltus, his current tutor, claims that he is at least three times smarter than the next most intelligent student he’s met in his lengthy career.  

Laurent's parents Alexander, 37, and Lydia, 29, (pictured) weren't convinced of their son's genius when his grandparents initially noticed

Laurent’s parents Alexander, 37, and Lydia, 29, (pictured) weren’t convinced of their son’s genius when his grandparents initially noticed

Laurent (pictured with his grandparents) completed secondary school at age eight and started his first degree earlier this year

Laurent (pictured with his grandparents) completed secondary school at age eight and started his first degree earlier this year

Laurent (pictured) has been recommended by his tutor John Wilkes, to consider studying at Oxford University

Laurent (pictured) has been recommended by his tutor John Wilkes, to consider studying at Oxford University

Switzerland-based professor John Wilkes, who taught Laurent in summer courses, also revealed he would advise the child to study at Oxford University.

A Dean of Academics at the American University in Switzerland, John studied at Jesus College at the historic institution. 

He said: ‘I taught him when he was six and we studied at the level of a 16 year-old.

‘I really would recommend Oxford for him.

‘He would develop somewhere the environment is about learning rather than being taught. For someone like Laurent that is ideal.’

Laurent (pictured) who hopes to become either a heart surgeon or astronaut, is set to take the 1994 World Record set by Michael Kearney

Laurent (pictured) who hopes to become either a heart surgeon or astronaut, is set to take the 1994 World Record set by Michael Kearney

Laurent who has a photographic memory enjoys maths and science, and has ambitions to revolutionise cardiac surgery because both his grandparents have heart problems.  

Outside of his studies, he spends time playing games such as Fortnite and Minecraft in addition to watching Netflix and hanging out with his friends. 

With an IQ of at least 145, Laurent is set to take the World Record from Michael Kearney, who graduated from the University of Alabama at the age of ten.

Michael has held the title since 1994 and now lives in Tennessee, after completing a number of degrees including a doctorate in chemistry.

Laurent (pictured) enjoys seeing his friends and gaming, when he's not studying

Laurent (pictured) enjoys seeing his friends and gaming, when he’s not studying 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk