An Oxford student has been left devastated after two laptop computers containing her life's work were stolen from her college bedroom.

Oxford University student Minji Kim has appealed for the laptops to be returned to her at Worcester College.

Thieves broke into her room between 1pm and 6.30pm on Tuesday, April 13, while she was studying in the college library.

Ms Kim, 27, is one of only three students chosen from across the world to complete fine arts Masters degrees at Oxford University. She was previously studying in America.

It was her lifetime ambition to come to Oxford to study, but she said the theft had left her living in fear.

It could take her up to 12 years to regain some of the information contained on her laptops. Much of it was "irreplaceable".

Ms Kim used one of the computers to save copies of her work in case anything happened to the originals.

Backup disks containing copies, a memory device and camera were also stolen.

Ms Kim said: "This was my life. I am still trying to decide and find out what I can do.

"My trust has been completely shattered. I lie in bed at night thinking about this and I'm extremely paranoid. I came here to study, but feel violated."

Thames Valley Police's Oxford-based burglary team is working on the case.

Pc Maria Sweeney said: "Minji is at the last stage of study, the pinnacle of her student life and because of this thoughtless, reckless act she now faces the demoralising prospect of having to start all over again."

Pc Sweeney said she believed there was a "strong possibility" the laptops were still in the Oxford area. One was a Toshiba Satellite M30-304 with a silver outer casing and a 16 in screen.

The other was a LG IBM ThinkPad with a black outer casing and a 14 in screen.

Both laptops were bought in Korea and so had distinctive Korean and English dual lettering.

Call Pc Sweeney with information on 01865 266062 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.