Reviews of Bharathidasan University

I completed a two-year master’s degree in Information Technology from Bharathidasan University between 2000 and 2002, studying through an affiliated institution in Thanjavur as an international student from a neighbouring country.

The curriculum was comprehensive and well structured, and the teachers, staff and management of the affiliated institution were very supportive. One challenge was the occasional language barrier. Although the programme was taught in English, some teachers were less comfortable lecturing in English and sometimes preferred Tamil. I compensated through independent study and was able to complete the programme without significant difficulty.

Living in Thanjavur was also a new cultural experience. Tamil was the primary language spoken throughout the city, while English and Hindi were not always widely understood in everyday situations. I learned some basic Tamil for shopping and transportation, and I found the local people friendly and welcoming. There was no dedicated international-student support team at the institution, but the management was helpful whenever I needed assistance.

One of the highlights of my time there was winning second prize in a programming contest at a national student convention held in Tiruchirappalli in 2001. I represented my institution, and the management celebrated the achievement by displaying a congratulatory notice with my name at the entrance for a week. Their enthusiasm made the recognition especially memorable.

The degree made a major contribution to my later education and software career. My academic performance helped me receive a Regional Award with reduced tuition for a subsequent master’s programme at Middlesex University in London. It also became an important academic qualification supporting the overseas software-development opportunity that later brought me to the United States.

Tuition fees were very affordable at the time, and accommodation and food in Thanjavur were also inexpensive. Overall, the programme provided excellent value and established a strong foundation for my further studies and professional career.