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!

hey there,
do you mean, your university determines your eligibility according to your fee status? if yes, then you should have a good look at the UKCOSA website. they have expert understanding of the complex situation and will advise you on the phone if necessary. in my case my uni wanted to make me pay overseas fees because they didn't know the law... they gave me a big fight but after i made them talk to UKCOSA (they do that) they admitted I was right. the thing is, the universities can't just determine it anyway they want, they have to stick to the law, even if they haven't adapted their own guidelines to new legal regulations yet.

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?

hey there Elrisa,
I'm not in the exact same situation but have constant problems with my fee status and eligibility for funding mainly due to many bodies just simply not having adapted their regulations and guidelines to the existing laws.
I would say, do talk to UKCOSA - if you are going to believe anybody's answer, then their's! But I would advise you to first ask if that "mainly for education" thing does actually matter for EU citizens or not. Only if they say it does matter, add your other question!
I can't help more than that... I have thus far been unable to determine my own eligibility status for ESRC since the only people who can really answer this - the ESRC themselves - are not answering me. So I just applied and we'll see what happens.

Elrisa - not sure if you still need clarification on this as it's an old post, but here's what the ESRC has to say (i'm c&c'ing their text below). Basically: EU nationals living in the UK three years qualify for established UK residency, i.e. fees and maintenance. EU nationals living in other EU countries qualify for EU residency, i.e. fees only. Hope this helps!

Established UK Residency

2.37 All candidates are required to have established UK residency:

2.38 Part IV, Regulation 12 of the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1983, and subsequent amendments, require that candidates for awards have a relevant connection with the United Kingdom. A relevant connection may be established if, at the date of application/nomination:
a) the candidate has been ordinarily resident in the UK throughout the 3-year period immediately preceding the date of an award, and
b) has not been resident in the UK, during any part of that 3-year period, wholly or mainly for the purposes of full time education, and
c) has settled status in the UK within the meaning of the Immigration Act 1971 (i.e. is not subject to any restriction on the period for which he/she may stay).

2.39 EU Residents Please Note:
Following the Bidar Judgement in 2005
(http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/documents/studenteligibility.pdf ), EU nationals who are resident in the UK only need to follow criteria A from the above list (EU nationals who have been resident in the UK for 3 years immediately preceding the date of an award for the purpose of full time education are now eligible for a full grant.)

Im surprised at you!!! How can you possibly think of dstudying in UK when u have a choice to study in USA. If I am given a choice I would definately go for USA...the system of education is much better there, less pressurizing and very good universities are available. Honestly there are some good universities in UK but from what I have heard from a lot of people studying in USA including my own sister studying there for the past ten years, I have realised thats its the best place to go to for studies. Belive me the system is a lot better. So please give it a thought!!!Also UK is very expensive....

I'm going to have a wild stab in the dark Hatelife and hypothesize that you've had an unhappy time at a UK University.

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. ;)