Ah, Hatelife, the grass is always greener on the other side of the pond. Honestly, I know exactly how the US educational system is. I'm a product of it. But you couldn't lure me back there even for a free PhD. In fact, I ended up turning down the offer in my original post. It's just a lifestyle thing, I'm sure some people would disagree with me. Keep in mind that doctorates in the US are, at least in my field, an average of 2 years longer than in the UK, and that most "college towns" are dismal, depressing and miles away from civilization, not to mention the beach and the movie stars. ;)

Shani- I really want to believe you! But I checked out the UKCOSA site and they pretty much say the same thing: "the main purpose of your residence in the EEA/Switzerland must not have been to receive full-time education during any part of the three year period." I'll maybe call them and find out if it's possible to prove that I was a student, but that wasn't my main purpose for being in the EU, but it doesn't look good. Are you in my same situation or do you know somebody that is?

Uh oh, I might have to take back that pint offer.
The language of AHRC can get a bit vague sometimes, but it does say that your residency status is determined by your university.
Now, when I looked at individual uni sights they all seemed to agree that I would not qualify as a UK/EU student. All of the ones I looked at used that same awful language and worse "not fully or mostly for the purpose of education". That "mostly" just really slams the door in my face, I think. Unless Shani or anybody else can tell me otherwise. Anybody? Another pint up for grabs!

Shani, I think you're right. I misread the site. That part about "not wholly for the purposes of education" applies to anyone normally "resident" in another EU country, not EU citizens per se.
On the other hand it doesn't actually address the situation for EU citizens normally residing in other EU countries, only those living in the UK. I'll have to do some more research but it sounds promising. I think I owe you and that French bloke a pint. :)

Wow that makes my day. But I'm still a little confused. The AHRC website says
"You must have been ordinarily resident in the EU for three years preceding the start of your proposed study, not wholly for the purposes of education..."
Um, what does "not wholly for the purposes of education mean" ? I mean, how do they actually determine these things?

Ooh, thanks! I hadn't come across that one yet. I'll keep hope alive a little while longer I guess. :)

:) Good advice, but I already live in Madrid (and teach English) and I'm kind of itching to get out of Spain. Besides, I think school in Spain is cheaper than the UK but I believe I'm still stuck with the non-EU fees.

Spanish- literature in particular. Not a lot of money in it I'm sure but I want to teach.

Hi everybody. I think this sight is wonderful and I was hoping somebody could help me here. I desperately want to get my PhD in the UK.
The bad news: I'm an American. The good news: I have EU citizenship. The bad news: I'm loopholed right out of the EU scheme because, although I will have spent the three years previous to my PhD in the EU, I will have spent most of them as a student. (Why are they penalizing me for being a student???)
The funding situation looks pretty bleak: Fulbright and ORSAS.
Has anybody got any ideas?
Should I just give up and do it in the US, where I've already been accepted I can do it for pretty much free? Even if I don't want to spend the next 5 years of my life there??? Help! Thanks.