A student who went on to study a PhD despite having dropped out of school when he was 13 is now facing suspension due to financial difficulties. Rupert Smith is studying for a PhD in philosophy at the University of Bristol, specialising in the philosophy of physics.
The 28-year-old has spoken out about being the first student to go through the Foundation Year in Arts and Humanities without having done GCSE or A Levels, but he may now be suspended from further studies due to debt. Having left school early due to family problems, he had lived in different parts of the UK while growing up.
He said the university’s Foundation programme for young people such as himself, who had not finished school, was a gateway to a promising future. Rupert said: “The Foundation Year is an impressive programme. I could have become an example of the ways Bristol University is removing barriers to low-income and disadvantaged students, but instead it has become an example of the ways of corporate nastiness of the university removing access to education to those worse off.”
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Rupert said he had completed his Master's degree in the philosophy of mathematics, but had been unable to pay university fees and it was this historic debt which could see his studies come to an abrupt end. He said: “I have been informed that the university is going to suspend me from the PhD because of missed payments that occurred during a time of extreme hardship.”
He said during his Master's studies, his mother was diagnosed with cancer and he had spent many hours writing his thesis in the oncology department while she received treatment. Having fallen behind on payments, his debt was handed to a debt collection agency with which he had set up a payment plan, and he confirmed this was on-going.
He added that the philosophy department had “some of the most kind and intelligent humans I have ever met who have created an environment of learning and teaching.” Having taught seminars at the university to undergraduates, Rupert’s career goal would include teaching.
He said: “I really enjoy teaching and to work in something like the Foundation Year would be amazing.” But as he approaches the end of his first PhD year, he said being suspended "would be devastating".
A University of Bristol spokesperson said: “We are very proud of our Foundation Year in Arts and Humanities which has seen many students succeed and thrive at university who otherwise might not be able to study for a degree. Rupert’s situation is extremely regrettable and we’re sorry he is experiencing personal issues.
“He enrolled on his current PhD programme last year with a clear condition that he settled the outstanding unpaid fees for his Masters. Unfortunately, he has been unable to do so, and he has also accrued debt in relation to his PhD.
“We have been in regular discussions with Rupert to try and find solutions and have provided a range of financial support including substantial hardship and cost-of-living payments, but we have now exhausted the options available to us. He has also been supported by our wellbeing services as well as his School and Faculty.
“As he has accrued significant amounts of debt, we feel it would be irresponsible for us to allow this to carry on without intervention and he has been advised to suspend his studies. If the outstanding fees are paid, we will support him to resume his studies and hope that he can do so. Rupert’s current employment here as a graduate teacher is not affected,” said the spokesperson.
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