“Don’t Come to the UK”: Why This Indian Woman Warns Others After 90% of Her Batchmates Returned Jobless

An Indian woman's viral warning to students planning to study in the UK sheds light on a growing crisis. Learn why 90% of her batchmates returned home jobless—and what aspiring international students need to know.

“Don’t Come to the UK”: A Cautionary Tale for Aspiring Indian Students

In a video that quickly went viral, an Indian woman studying in the UK issued a stark warning to her fellow countrymen: “Don’t come to the UK. It’s not worth it.” Her emotional appeal resonated with thousands of students and parents back home, especially when she revealed that nearly 90% of her university batchmates returned to India without finding jobs.

While international education has long been a dream for many in India, the ground reality in countries like the UK has changed dramatically in recent years. With rising inflation, job market saturation, and stricter visa regulations, the post-study experience isn’t what it used to be.

“We paid lakhs in tuition. Now we’re jobless.”

The woman, whose identity has remained anonymous for privacy reasons, studied at a well-known university in the UK. Like many Indian students, she and her peers invested heavily, both financially and emotionally, believing the UK would offer better prospects.

“Some of us paid ₹25–30 lakhs in tuition fees,” she said. “We thought it would be an investment in our future. But after graduation, we applied to hundreds of jobs with no responses. Now, 90% of us are back in India, jobless and broke.”

Her story isn’t unique. Several students from her batch reportedly struggled to get even unpaid internships, let alone skilled jobs that could sponsor visas.

Real-Life Cases Reflect a Pattern

Let’s look at a few similar experiences that illustrate this growing crisis:

1. Priya S. (Leeds, UK):
Priya completed her Master’s in Data Analytics in 2023. Despite graduating with distinction, she couldn’t secure a job within the 2-year post-study work visa window. “Most companies won’t sponsor visas,” she said. “Even if you’re qualified, they prefer locals or EU candidates.” She returned to India in April 2025, currently unemployed and searching for remote gigs.

2. Rahul T. (Birmingham, UK):
Rahul studied International Business Management. “They made it seem like there was a high demand for business grads,” he says. “But once you’re here, you realize most job listings either need UK experience or don’t want to deal with visa sponsorship.” He now works at a BPO in India, earning a fraction of what he expected post-graduation.

3. Neha and Ankit (London, UK):
A married couple who moved to London for their MBA programs. Both graduated in 2024 and struggled for over a year to find full-time employment. Ankit eventually got a part-time warehouse job, and Neha worked as a barista. They moved back to India after their savings dried up. “It was humiliating,” Neha says. “We feel cheated.”

Why Are So Many Indian Students Struggling in the UK?

Several factors contribute to this growing disillusionment:

Oversaturation of International Students:
UK universities have dramatically increased their intake of foreign students, especially from India. The job market, however, hasn’t grown at the same pace.
Lack of Sponsorship Opportunities:
Most UK companies are reluctant to sponsor visas unless for highly specialized roles. Many roles advertised as “graduate-friendly” aren’t open to international candidates.
Mismatch Between Expectations and Reality:
Students often assume that a UK degree automatically guarantees a job. The truth is that networking, local experience, and industry connections matter more than ever.
Financial Strain:
With the cost of living in cities like London skyrocketing, many students end up working part-time jobs unrelated to their field, just to survive.

What Should Aspiring Students Know Before Choosing the UK?

Do thorough research on the course, job prospects, and visa rules.
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn to get honest insights.
Look beyond university rankings—consider post-graduate employment rates.
Have a clear backup plan in case the UK job market doesn’t work out.
Be financially prepared. Don’t take massive loans without understanding the risks.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call, Not a Blanket Warning

While it's important to acknowledge that some international students do find success in the UK, the odds are no longer as favorable as they once were. The viral video wasn’t meant to incite fear, but to offer a dose of truth rarely found in glossy brochures.

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