Lakshmi Balakrishnan, a PhD student from Tamil Nadu, has publicly alleged that the University of Oxford forced her to abandon her doctoral studies in English Literature and switch to a master’s program against her will.
The 26-year-old student described the experience as a “betrayal,” claiming the university did not act in good faith during her academic journey. Having invested nearly £100,000 (approximately Rs 1.09 crore) in her education and living expenses, Balakrishnan was determined to pursue her research on Shakespeare, which she believed was viable for a PhD.
According to Balakrishnan, the university initially accepted her thesis proposal but was later rejected in her fourth year. She contended that her supervisors informed her that her research was unsuitable for PhD-level study, ultimately leading to her failing that year. Compounding her distress, Balakrishnan stated that her supervisor explicitly told her he would not be able to provide any support, leaving her without guidance or assistance from both her college and the faculty.
In a statement provided to the BBC, Balakrishnan highlighted the sacrifices she made to attend Oxford, noting that she is the first person in her family to study abroad and comes from an underprivileged background. Despite feeling unsupported, she sought advice from various academicians, who affirmed the quality and significance of her research in the history of emotions and economics in early modern literature.
The University of Oxford responded to the allegations, explaining that students must demonstrate a substantial likelihood of completing a doctoral thesis to achieve Confirmation of Status. They also stated that students can appeal assessment decisions, ensuring a fair and transparent process. As Balakrishnan navigates this challenging situation, she continues to advocate for herself in hopes of finding a resolution.
