University of Auckland's youngest has a BSc at 16

Jesse Wu

At 13, most young people are coping with becoming teenagers, but Jesse Wu was starting university.

This week, at the ripe old age of 16, he will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in maths and computer science.

That makes Jesse the youngest graduate from the University of Auckland and among the youngest the country has seen.

But the Henderson teenager - who is three years younger than anyone else graduating this week - is not sure what all the fuss is about.

"I'm used to studying with, and being with, people older than me. It's a lot of work, but I enjoy it."

Jesse was a student at Liston College when his outstanding academic ability became obvious.

Principal Chris Rooney said Jesse approached him and asked to sit School Certificate-level maths when he was just 11 years old.

"I gave him a test paper and he scored 72 per cent without even doing the course," Mr Rooney said.

The next year Jesse sat School Certificate in other subjects and at 13 he aced Bursary exams.

Mr Rooney, a teacher for more than 30 years, said Jesse was the most talented student he had come across. "Not only is he academically able across a range of subjects, but he is also well rounded and balanced," he said. "He is exceptional, in my experience."

Mr Rooney realised the college had little more to offer Jesse and set about enrolling him at university.

Jesse, who returns to Liston College to help tutor other students, is now studying for his honours degree. After that he plans to gain some work experience and hopes one day to launch his own computer company.

"But that's a long way away in the distant future," he said. "For now I just want to do well in my next papers." He said he had not suffered socially from his swift rise through the education ranks.

The success is all the more remarkable as he does not come from an academic family. Father Jack works the stockmarket from home and mother Tien works in a clothing alteration store.

The couple migrated from Taiwan before their children were born, and have another two daughters who are progressing through school at the normal rate.

"I'm not sure where it comes from," said Jesse. "I just enjoy the work."

Although impressive, Jesse's achievement does not quite break the records.

Shona Yu graduated with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Massey University in 2001, aged 14. She sat some university papers when she was just 8.

Michael Tan was also 8 when he enrolled in a maths paper at Canterbury University in 1992, and Christopher Butcher began at Massey University when he was 10 and graduated with a science degree in 1994 at the age of 15.

Jesse is one of almost 6000 students who will graduate from the University of Auckland this week and next. His capping ceremony on Thursday is the first of 13, with others on May 1, 3 and 5. Each graduation day will include a march through the city at 10am.