Emma Dowley (she/her)

Four years before I enrolled at the University of Greenwich aged 24, I dropped out of my second year at another university. Ten years on, this is still the most impactful event of my life so far, yet was something I had to deal with entirely on my own. Never have I needed academic, financial and psychological support, or careers, employment and housing advice more than when I dropped out of university. Never have I felt more lost or alone. 

In the 2023-24 academic year, more than 37,000 undergraduate students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland withdrew from higher education. While universities and unions provide various support services to students, those of us who drop out of higher education are falling through a hidden gap. I'm determined to bridge this gap and ensure that anyone who drops out of university or college in the UK receives the support they need.