Indian Student Invests ₹1 Crore in PhD, ‘Forcefully Dismissed’ by Oxford in Fourth Year

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A Tamil Nadu student who invested over ₹1 crore to pursue a PhD in English at Oxford University was “forcibly removed” and transferred to a master’s program in her fourth year without her consent, according to a BBC report.

Lakshmi Balakrishnan, who already holds two master’s degrees, was informed by assessors that her research on Shakespeare did not meet PhD standards, resulting in her failure during the fourth year.

“They forcibly moved me from the PhD program to a master’s course without my agreement,” she stated. “I already have two master’s degrees from India, and I paid £100,000 at Oxford for a PhD, not another master’s.”

Two professors specializing in Shakespeare acknowledged that her research has significant potential and deserves PhD-level consideration. However, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) upheld the university’s decision regarding her status.

“To achieve Confirmation of Status, students must demonstrate a strong likelihood of successfully completing a doctoral thesis. Unfortunately, not all students meet this requirement. Those who disagree with an assessment outcome have the right to appeal under the university’s procedures, which ensure fairness and transparency. There are further internal appeal routes and a subsequent option to complain to the OIA,” Oxford University stated.

Feeling betrayed by the institution, Balakrishnan expressed, “I feel a sense of betrayal and disappointment from an institution I once held in high regard.”

She challenged the university’s decision and opted for legal recourse, which was unsuccessful. “I believe the university’s strategy is to force me into endless appeals and complaints in the hope that I will eventually give up and leave,” she added.

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