In a poignant LinkedIn post that has resonated with many, Swetha Kothandan, an Indian student in the UK, has offered to work for free in a desperate bid to secure employment and extend her stay in the country. Having graduated in 2022 with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Leicester, Kothandan’s struggle reflects a broader issue, that of reduced job opportunities, affecting many international students in Britain, including those from India.
As of the most recent statistics, India remains one of the top sources of international students in the UK. According to Universities UK, an advocacy organisation for universities in the United Kingdom, there were 126,535 Indian students enrolled in UK higher education institutions in 2021-22, making India the second-largest contributor after China?. UK government data suggests that each international student is estimated to be worth over £100,000 to the British economy throughout their stay.

Despite these significant numbers, international students, including Indian graduates, are struggling to find employment. Now the big question is: Is the UK’s economic slowdown making it tough for Indian students to land jobs?
Reduced job opportunities in the UK: Alarming stats
As of October 2023, the UK was grappling with a challenging economic landscape, marked by high inflation and increasing unemployment. The unemployment rate rose to 4.2% in February 2024, up from 3.9% just months prior, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). According to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), UK businesses are significantly cutting back on recruitment, with nearly 70% of companies reducing their hiring activities due to financial constraints. For international students this contraction has meant fewer graduate-level jobs available in the market. Hence, for many graduates, particularly from non-EU countries like India, the pathway to securing a visa-sponsored job has become increasingly fraught.

Despite an increase in pay growth, many sectors are still facing stagnation, particularly in high-skilled professions. The hospitality industry reported a significant 8.4% average pay raise, while IT and professional sectors lagged, with pay increases of only 4% and 3%, respectively, suggest ONS data. This disparity highlights the challenges faced by graduates in technical fields where employers are reluctant to commit to new hires.

How is the UK’s economic slowdown hitting Indian students?
For Indian students in the UK, the economic downturn has added fuel to an already raging fire in the job market. Many of these graduates, who have invested tens of lakhs in their education, had hoped to secure roles in booming sectors like IT, healthcare, engineering, and finance. But as the economy falters, these once-promising industries have scaled back hiring, limiting opportunities for fresh graduates.
The situation is even worse in industries like retail and hospitality, which traditionally offered entry-level positions to international graduates including those from India.

These sectors are not just offering fewer jobs—they are also slashing wages, suggest media reports. Despite the cost of living skyrocketing, especially in cities like London, wages have failed to keep up with inflation. This creates a nightmare scenario where students struggle to make ends meet while dealing with an increasingly expensive lifestyle?
To make matters worse, many employers are using the recession as an excuse to tighten their belts, blaming economic uncertainty and inflation for their reluctance to recruit. In an environment where businesses are cutting costs, it’s no surprise that local candidates are given priority over international talent. Employers aren’t willing to go through the hassle of sponsorships and visa applications when they can hire someone without these complications?
The economic slowdown has also put entire industries in a state of flux. Long-term sickness and strikes have drained the workforce, exacerbating the pressure on the already limited job pool. According to ONS, by early 2024, about 8,50,000 working-age individuals in the UK were classified as economically inactive, including those on long-term sick leave. This demographic shift is a massive burden on an already struggling job market, making it even harder for fresh graduates — especially those without local work experience or professional networks — to break in?.
For Indian and other international students, this combination of fewer opportunities, increased competition, and a stubbornly slow economy is creating insurmountable barriers to success. After years of studying abroad and investing significant sums, many are finding it impossible to justify the financial and emotional cost of their education when the job market is shrinking. Faced with few options, they are being forced to make painful choices: Return home, take jobs that pay a fraction of their worth, offer to work for free, or settle for positions that don’t justify their qualifications. This scenario undermines the entire purpose of their educational investment and leaves them wondering whether or not it was worth it in the first place
The ethics of unpaid work: A raging debate
Kothandan had sent her application to over 300 positions, only to receive a handful of constructive feedback. Her plea—“My Graduate Visa EXPIRES in 3 months… this LinkedIn post is my FINAL chance to secure a long-term future in the UK”—captures the urgency felt by many international students who find themselves in similar predicaments. The current job market appears unwelcoming, with companies hesitant to sponsor visas amid economic uncertainty.
Kothandan’s offer to work for free for a month is a stark illustration of desperation in a tightening job market. Many have expressed their concerns over such practices, arguing that they undermine the value of skilled work and set a troubling precedent for future job seekers. Some users on LinkedIn advised her against working for free, suggesting it reflects poorly on her qualifications and the worth of her degree.
A call for action: Supporting international students in a volatile economy
Kothandan’s plight also raises critical questions about the support systems available for international students in the UK. With many facing similar challenges, the government and educational institutions must reassess their roles in facilitating job placements and visa sponsorships for graduates.
As the UK economy begins to show signs of recovery, with a recent ONS report indicating a 0.6% growth in GDP from January to March 2024, it is essential that policymakers address these systemic issues. Supporting graduates in their pursuit of meaningful employment should be a priority, not only to retain talent but also to ensure that the UK remains an attractive destination for future international students.
In light of these challenges, the conversation surrounding the value of work, the implications of unpaid internships, and the broader economic climate must continue to evolve, ensuring that the aspirations of students like Kothandan are met with opportunities rather than despair.