THE university is “devastated” after a student died suddenly, just weeks into the new academic year.

Rob Tipton was studying Game Development at the University of Worcester and had just begun his second year when he died on September 26, aged 25.

The post mortem result reportedly came back “inconclusive” and it is unclear if an inquest will be held into his death.

Professor Sarah Greer, deputy vice chancellor at the university, said: “We were devastated to hear of the death of our student, Robert Tipton and our thoughts are very much with his family and close friends at this most tragic time.

“There is nothing harder for a university community to bear than the death of one of our students and we are doing our best to offer help and support to all students and staff who have been affected by this heart-breaking news.”

Rob’s funeral was held at Worcester Crematorium on Tuesday and a memorial concert is due to take place on November 16 – what would’ve been his 26th birthday.

The former Worcester Royal Grammar School pupil began working at The Bell Inn, St Johns, in the summer with landlady Laura McFee helping to put on the gig to raise money for Leukaemia Care.

The charity had looked after Rob when he had cancer as a child. 

In 2000, there was an appeal to find a bone marrow donor for Rob which the Worcester News was involved with.

No donor was identified for Rob and he subsequently underwent a pioneering haplo stem cell transplant from his father which saved his life.

The Rob Tipton Memorial Concert will begin at 7pm at the pub and feature local bands.