1. Global Ambition vs. National Restriction
Our NLP analysis of 2,643 PhD listings revealed a critical misalignment we term the "False Hope" barrier.
While the vast majority of UKRI-funded projects advertise themselves as open to "Worldwide" applicants, the underlying funding structures typically cap international recruitment at 30%. Coupled with high visa costs, this creates a system that invites global talent but structurally excludes it.
Fig 1. The discrepancy between advertised eligibility and funding reality.
2. The Confidence Gap
"Even among students with identical academic backgrounds in STEM, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds reported significantly lower 'AI Self-Efficacy' scores on the AILIT-S scale."
Qualitative Interview Insight