Rebelling By Being the Best: Kuberan Hansrajh’s Journey to Oxford

“I made a promise to myself when I was about 12 years old that I would get into the best university in the world." 

In 2020, Kuberan Hansrajh Kumaresan nurtured his nearly decade-long dream of becoming an Oxford student into reality. While his story could, on the surface, be a shining example of unshakable self-belief and tireless diligence, Kuberan’s journey from a young boy insistent on proving his academic worth to a man with a law degree at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions nearly 10 years later, has come with many unseen hardships. 

At the time of writing, Kuberan is a 22-year-old, clerking under Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan in the Federal Court of Malaysia. Kuberan looks back on his impressive academic track record with the Afterschool team, unveiling what it took to achieve it, the implications it has on his life today, and whether or not it was all worth it in the end. 

Early Academic Life and Motivation

Kuberan’s academic life was shaped largely by his childhood, with law being somewhat of a constant focus even in his early life. Inspired by his parents who were both lawyers themselves, he shares his initial discovery of the study with fondness.

“Since relatively young, I thought of being a lawyer. Some of my best memories are of me riding in the car, while my parents discussed cases.” Kuberan further notes that the law involves stories about people, which was a factor that captured his imagination and continues to strengthen his resolve to pursue a legal career today. 

Kuberan’s early academic life was marked by a mix of mediocrity and a lack of motivation. He recalls dreading parent-teacher meetings in primary school, tired of constantly hearing the same remarks from educators regarding his complacency; “He has potential, but he just talks too much and doesn’t focus,” was the most common sentiment during these meetings.

He recalls a specific week in life when several people he looked up to told him that he didn’t have what it took to be great at something. With a mixture of defiance and fondness, he shares it was in that same week that he promised himself to get into the best university in the world. He says, “They were right. I never had what it took to be great. I built my greatness with blood and sweat.”

With the encouragement of his parents, whom he notes he owes everything good in his life to,  Kuberan started to channel his energy towards academic excellence, adamant on developing his abilities. He described this pivotal shift as “rebelling by being the best,” particularly in subjects like Mathematics, which he once struggled with but later excelled through sheer determination. This newfound drive helped him achieve remarkable results in the IGCSE exams, earning 12 A*s: one for every single subject he took (two of which, literature and economics, were self-taught). Kuberan was also recognised as the top student in Malaysia for the Malay (Foreign Language) and the Global Perspectives subject.

Yet, even while taking into consideration Kuberan’s prodigious academic achievements, it was outside the classroom that he truly excelled. With exceptional abilities in critical thinking and verbal communication that were nurtured by his parents, Kuberan managed to get into the national debate team for two years. In the first year, he was kicked out of the team mid-way through the world championships for not performing well enough; in the second year, he was ranked among the top 10 best speakers in the world and was the highest ranked speaker in the Malaysian team, ranked first in the world for the first time.

A-Levels at Taylor’s

After graduating from highschool, Kuberan furthered his education at Taylor’s College to complete his A-levels (the natural pre-university choice for someone certain in pursuing a law degree). 

While Kuberan’s choice of Math, Further Math, Economics, and Physics seemed somewhat unconventional for someone going down the law path, his subject selection was anything but arbitrary; Kuberan saw these subjects as an opportunity to explore areas that sparked his intellectual curiosity. "I knew I was going to be a lawyer, but I wanted to explore this new side of myself," he shares. 

Practicality played a big role in choosing his college. “Honestly, it was really close to my house," he says with a laugh. Beyond convenience however, Kuberan highlights Taylor’s open campus concept, which had a lasting impact on his well-being. "It really helped my mental health during that period," he explains. Being in a campus environment that was filled with sunlight, open spaces, and neighbouring a serene lake surrounded by frolicking ducks (and some geese), allowed him the freedom to take breaks and relax, which in turn boosted his academic performance.

During his time at Taylor’s, Kuberan was vice president of the student council, which helped him develop his sense of responsibility and hone leadership skills. On top of that, Kuberan was heavily involved in the debate team, a continuation of his deep passion from highschool, being awarded the Best speaker in Malaysia at the university level, as well as 3-time Top 10 best speaker in Asia. 

An important influence during Kuberan’s A-Levels was his Math professor, Ms Logesh. Her dedication and encouragement, matched by his own determination, helped him tackle one of the subjects he found most challenging. "I never had a natural talent for Math, but she pushed me. She was just brilliant. Every time I worked hard, she matched by heart. She taught and gave back to me and I really appreciated that.”

Alongside supportive friends and classmates, Kuberan found himself in a community marked by both camaraderie and competition. From his teammates in the debate club to his educators, the relationships he formed during his time at Taylor’s College set the foundation for the challenges of Oxford. Kuberan finished his A-levels with 3 A* and 1 A.

Application Process to Oxford

When it came to selecting which university to pursue his Law degree, Kuberan was guided by his unwavering determination to prove himself. While most students spend countless hours researching and take careful consideration into which university is most suited to their preferences, a quick google search of “best university in the world” sufficed for Kuberan. “I made a promise to myself when I was about 12 years old that I would get into the best university in the world. It took me all of 15 seconds."

As daunting as the application process to Oxford University is to many, it was merely a final step in a rigorous 10-year long journey for Kuberan. Though his impressive academic track record and exceptional debating accolades played a huge role in his eventually successful application, the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) and stringent Oxford interview were no easy tasks. Kuberan shares, “Debating really helped me develop the ability to think critically. And I was able to analyse things and think about arguments for and against things quite quickly. That helped me succeed in the interview, write a good personal statement, and do the LNAT relatively well.” 

Above average LNAT results, combined with a successful interview ensured Kuberan was en route to achieving a lifelong dream. Yet, while this would seem like the start of a happy ending, Kuberan unveiled an unexpected price for fulfilling ambitions you base your life around. 

Finding his footing at Oxford

Kuberan described his initial moments at Oxford as “someone abruptly pouring a bucket of cold water over the fire I had,” describing the loss of purpose he felt after finally reaching the pinnacle he had been chasing for so long. With a central goal of his life obtained, Kuberan was left questioning “What now?”

As overwhelming as this new sense of emptiness was, the unique cultural and academic environment of Oxford gradually reignited passion within Kuberan. The tutorial system, where students participate in close discussions with world renowned professors, presented an intensity to his learning experience that helped him rediscover and further explore his long-established love for law. “I was getting tutored by people who wrote my textbooks, and I found that absolutely insane!” he marvelled. This immersive style of learning required a level of focus and engagement that found Kuberan the drive he once had in his earlier academic pursuits. 

While navigating the social and academic pressures of Oxford, Kuberan remained rooted in the values instilled by his parents, his father’s advice to “rebel by being the best” continued to resonate deeply within him. Drawing on the resilience that helped him reach this point, combined with the rigours of being an Oxford Law student, Kuberan unveiled an increased depth of knowledge, strength, and integrity. 

Ultimately, Kuberan’s time at Oxford was more than merely getting a degree. Assimilating the intensities of Oxford allowed his intellectual and personal horizons to expand, with many lessons inferred going far beyond the lecture room. The few years he spent at the institution brought him on a journey of self discovery and personal growth that has proven to be integral to how he navigates his life and goals today. 

Reflections and Future Aspirations

When asked what advice he would give to students who want to pursue an education at Oxford, Kuberan is quick to point out a common mistake that people make: not trying.

“A lot of people self-select. They assume they’re not good enough, and 100% of the time, they’re wrong,” he says, encouraging students not to underestimate their own potential. “If you want it, go ahead” he reiterates. Kuberan also emphasises, “What university you get into doesn’t define your life.” This is something worth thinking about, especially when coming from an Oxford graduate; Kuberan stresses that success is not limited to the name of the institution.

Kuberan has embraced a more balanced lifestyle since his time at Oxford. Having spent such a big portion of his life trying to prove himself and achieve big things, Kuberan now puts more emphasis on staying present and practising gratitude. "I’ve really tried to implement gratitude in my life, and it’s really helped," he shares, describing how daily habits like journaling and meditation have brought him a sense of peace. The upholding of these new values however, does not indicate the diminishing of his ambition: Kuberan ultimately wants to be a transformative force in the world of law, using his knowledge and passion to drive meaningful change and advocate for justice.

When asked what his career aspirations were, he replied simply: “I want to be the best and most positively impactful lawyer the world has ever seen.”