The track cyclist and University of St Andrews Mathematics and Physics graduate, who also attained BSC Honours in applied sports science from University of Edinburgh, elevated Team GB's medal tally to 48 - 22 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze at the end of day eleven.

A spokesperson for St Andrews said: "Congratulations to Honorary Graduate and former St Andrews’ student Sir Chris Hoy, who became Great Britain’s most successful Olympian last night with his sixth gold medal win.

"Chris studied Mathematics and Physics between 1994 and 1996 and received University Blues in his first year. He was voted Sportsman of the Year in 1996 and became a member of the Great Britain National Cycling Squad in the same year."

Elsewhere, there was an unexpected bronze medal for former Loughborough College student and high jumper Robbie Grabarz. The 24-year-old completed a two-year foundation degree in health and fitness management at the College from 2006 to 2008 and secured joint-third position last night in his event, in front of nearly 80,000 spectators inside London's Olympic Stadium.

Windsurfer Nick Dempsey, who has previously worked with the University of Chichester, continued Great Britain's sailing success with a silver medal in the RS:X wind surfing class.

There was further medal joy too for University of Bristol philosophy and politics graduate Laura Bechtolsheimer as Team GB won its first gold in the team dressage competition.

London 2012 Olympic medal dreams continued for University of Bristol graduate Lawrence Clarke, who progressed to today's 100m hurdles semi-final, but University of West of England student and Clarke's training teammate Andrew Pozzi failed to qualify in the same event and was unable to finish his heat due to injury.

By Stuart Appleby