Yeah, its stupid. Like I said, I can try and get postgrad funding from the government, but have heard this is difficult, although this is just hearsay, I don't actually know anyone from home who has done a PhD. I also don't know what position funding bodies for other subjects take. If I make it clear that I can only get funding from the government (as far as I am aware) then it may be easier to be awarded it... But I really need to find someone who knows! Or just pester the government, but I've never found them to be particularly helpful!

Thanks for quick reply but having lived in the UK for the purposes of education does not count;

From NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) "The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not part of the EU...A candidate from the Isle of Man will not have established eligibility for a NERC award through any period of residence in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland during which he or she has been in full-time education."

(Also, from gov.im, "Status: An internally self-governing dependent territory of the Crown which is not part of the United Kingdom" )

I'm from the Isle of Man and am interested in doing a PhD. However, I'm confused about funding. I'm not eligible for NERC funding as I don't count as a UK or EU citizen. I can apply for funding from the Manx government but have heard its difficult to gain and is often fees only. I was wondering if anyone has been/is in a similar situation and what the outcome was, or if anyone knows any alternative means of funding.