An Indian PhD student shares his personal experience and the challenges he faced while studying in the UK | Canva
An Indian student in his final year of a PhD in Computer Science in the UK has issued a stark warning to prospective international students, urging them to reconsider their decision to study in the country. In a Reddit post titled ‘UK Is a Trap for International Students – My Personal Experience’, the student shared his struggles and those of his peers, describing the environment in the UK as “extremely tough.”
The student highlighted various challenges, including financial strain, limited job opportunities, and poor return on investment for a one-year Master’s degree. He warned that many students are forced into part-time jobs that barely support a decent standard of living. He also noted that several of his friends, who had completed their Master’s or extended their post-study visas, struggled with severe health issues, including weight loss and hair thinning, eventually returning to India due to the pressure.
The Reddit user pointed out that the difficulties extend beyond health, citing factors like poor food quality, high housing costs, unpredictable work hours, and even racism as contributing to a decline in overall well-being. He also stressed that many international students find themselves financially burdened, with their families often stepping in to help.
Additionally, the student criticised the UK’s educational system, claiming that a one-year MSc degree is often considered equivalent to a BTech or BE in India or less than an MS in the US, making it a poor investment compared to longer, more rigorous programs in other countries like the US or India.
He further noted that many international students end up returning to India after completing their studies, as 99% of his friends did after their MSc or MSc + PSW. He also pointed out that UK master’s programs are often less rigorous, with assignments that are not as demanding as those at the bachelor’s or PhD level. Many universities, he claimed, are aware that students outsource their assignments and seem more focused on collecting fees than maintaining academic standards.
Netizens Reactions
A Reddit user shared a harsh reality faced by many international students in the UK and US, stating, “All students who come to the UK or US work as restaurant, shop, store, or petrol pump laborers to survive. They have very little time to upskill or work on projects that could help them land a job, if their resume is even seen among the thousands of others.”
Netizens Reactions | Reddit
Another user commented, highlighting the role of “educational consultants,” claiming, “Students get brainwashed into this by consultants whose only motive is to get you an admission in a university that pays them the biggest commission, despite the difficulties that await.”
