Lakshmi Balakrishnan, an Indian PhD student at Oxford, alleges she was forcibly transferred to a master’s program despite initially meeting the university's criteria. After investing nearly £100,000 and holding two previous master’s degrees, Balakrishnan found her PhD aspirations stalled in her fourth year. She claims that after her research topic on Shakespeare received initial approval, it was later deemed unsuitable by assessors, prompting the faculty's decision to transfer her without her consent.

Balakrishnan expressed feelings of betrayal and frustration, stating, "I already have two master’s degrees from India and paid £100,000 at Oxford to get my PhD, not another master’s course." In response, Oxford emphasized that students are informed about the academic progress criteria, noting that not all students meet the necessary standards for doctoral completion.

October 26, 2024

Her appeal against the transfer was unsuccessful, despite support from her affiliated college, which questioned the assessment process. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator supported the university's decision, stating that the appeals process is structured to ensure fairness and transparency. Balakrishnan criticized the lengthy appeals as burdensome, suggesting the university's approach aims to deter her from pursuing the matter further.

This situation highlights the stringent academic expectations at elite institutions like Oxford while raising concerns about the fairness of academic procedures for international students committed to achieving their qualifications.