The simple answer is.... not easily, but there's no definitive criteria which is applied across all PhD courses. Many universities provide funding/part-funding (via scholarships) for international students but they have autonomy over their admissions process and whether they offer you funding will depend on many factors (some of which you are unable to establish in advance) specific to each university and which may vary from one year to the next.

As a general guide:
1) Such funding is highly competitive and your academic record will be a significant factor in determining whether you are successful. You don't say what classification you achieved in your BSc but, if it's the UK equivalent of 70+%, it's a first and that will help. Again, if your Masters is the UK equivalent of 70+% then that's the equivalent of a 'with distinction' for most Masters programmes and that will also help. Your school results are not significant if you have good HE qualifications.
2) Only the very best international students receive all their PhD fees plus a maintenance payment. You would need exceptional qualifications plus an outstanding PhD proposal to achieve such an offer. You will have a higher chance of receiving partial funding.

In the first instance, identify potential supervisors at universities which offer international student PhD funding in your subject area (all universities provide profiles of their faculty on their websites and have sections which detail what kind of funding is available and to which types of students). Academics will be able to offer specific advice on applications to their particular university - and also on the specific research areas which are more likely to receive funding in their institution. Nothing beats personal contact with potential supervisors. If they like you and your prosposed research then it will help your application.

Also check out this link for more guidance on funding:
http://www.findaphd.com/student/funding/funding-1.asp

Good luck.

Can you be a bit more specific? For example, do you have any work experience? If so, in what? Did you move straight to postgrad from your first degree? What level of job are you seeking? Graduate intern? Trainee management? These kind of things will affect your chances of employment.

It's totally random that you may be starting your career at such an inauspicious time. I don't need to tell you that increasing numbers of graduates and decreasing opportunities make this an employers' market. Worse still, if you haven't any significant work experience then you are also competing with less academically qualified (but work experienced) older candidates. The bottom line is that work experience is currently more valuable for employers than academic qualifications above a threshold. Very few opportunities pitch that threshold at Masters level so your MBA is not much of an asset without significant work experience in the current market. It will. however, give you a competitive advantage later in your career when you have the specialist work experience to support it.

Notwithstanding all of that, there are things you can do to improve your chances. For example, you could take any job which will pay enough to keep you afloat but also offer your services free to organisations of interest part-time. The important thing is to get your foot in the door as being a known quantity (and on-the-spot) will provide a huge advantage for any paid opportunities which may arise. The bigger the organisation, the more chance that an opportunity will present. Also, don't rule out the public sector as they still have a mandate to recruit specialists and may be more open to the idea of providing desk space and support to an enthusiastic someone keen to work for free.

Consider starting your own business. Doesn't matter what field - anything with low start-up costs which has the ability to show-case your skills. Making a profit would be good but the aim is to give yourself an edge in the employment market. This kind of initiative will improve your skills and make you stand out from the crowd at worst. At best, you may find that self-employment works for you. Again, you may have to do this part-time whilst working at any old job to pay the bills. It will be hard work but, that's the point, it signals to any prospective employer exactly that.

It may take you a year or more to find a good job but your chances will be hugely improved if you do something like the above. There will be plenty of highly-qualified candidates who will be claiming benefits long-term over the next, few years. There's nothing more likely to damage your career prospects and your self-esteem.

Wishing you lots of luck.

Does your uni have a research student advisor? Most do and he/she is worth consulting in a situation like yours. Supervisors have a responsibility to support you through your programme and any failure to do so is the responsibility of the university. It's vitally important that you build a strong relationship with your supervisor/s early on as they are fundamental to your success. If 'Prof High-and-Mighty' can't be bothered to fulfill his/her responsibility to his/her job/you then you should address this quickly. You are the one who will suffer if you don't. talk over your options with the advisor.

Providing your supervisor with a suggested agenda in advance of meetings is an excellent idea as it frames the session. It may also help if you mention what you wish to achieve from the meeting at the beginning.

You're not alone in feeling isolated and 'odd'. I'm a mature Humanities student and there are few people outside my programme who understand why I'm attempting a PhD either. I live 200 miles from my uni so am unable to participate much in uni life, and getting hold of academic texts is difficult (my closest academic library is 40 miles away). I'm divorced and work to pay the bills and it's the financial aspect which I'm finding toughest. My uni has little funding for PhD students and, although I try to undertake temporary contract work in order to have time for research, work is constantly conflicting with my compulsory research development modules and seminars. I received an interview for an internship which would've been really valuable but it would've paid too little for the constraint it would've imposed on my availability to work so I withdrew.

I've estimated that the PhD will cost me at least £60,000 in lost income plus fees and other costs, but despite this, and all the other difficulties, I'm determined to succeed. As a career move, undertaking a PhD can seriously damage your wealth. It's a labour of love which many of us undertake because we're driven to do so. It's a completely alien concept to many people as academia is considered a means to an end (higher paid job) rather than an end in itself, in our consumer-driven, contemporary world.

Your circumstances (and mine) aren't unusual in the postgrad world. It's daunting and difficult, but anything worthwhile is. The bottom line is that we may be considered 'quirky' but who cares what others' think? This is your life and your dream. Whenever I lose heart I ask myself how I will feel when I'm 70 if I give up now. Failing is one thing..... withdrawing is something else.

Do contact your uni and ask to be put in touch with other research students. There will be others who are equally in need of support and contact.

Good luck.

PhD Studentships don't count towards the tax credit calculations as they only take into account taxable income and PhD funding isn't classified as such.

I was accepted on PhD programmes at both universities that I applied to without a Masters. However, I discussed the possibility with faculty in advance of application and was advised that I would be considered as I .... a) had a first class degree ...b) won an academic award.... c) had a track record of managing my time appropriately and...d) would be self-funded. Although my subject is Arts related, I believe that similar criteria applies across disciplines at many universities.

The chances of you receiving any form of PhD funding in the UK without a Masters is zero and I'm not sure how your status as an international student would affect your position but, if you have a proven track record of academic achievement, and are self-funded, then you are likely to be considered. I suggest you check out the websites of the universities you're interested in. Most provide information on faculty and their research specialisations, and also have postgrad research advisors who you can email.

Good luck.

Sorry for this late reply as I only just signed-up to the forum.

I'll taking my MA in American History at UEA from the autumn. It was an easy decision for me as, not only does the uni have a great reputation in taught AMS courses, it also has a highly regarded faculty and excellent research reputation. I've been communicating with AMS faculty and support staff since last summer and all have been polite and helpful. I've also visited the campus several times and met faculty plus existing students (undergrads and postgrads). The students are unanimous in their praise of the uni generally, and the school in particular. I did much research on locations for my MA - including overseas, UCL and ISA - but UEA consistently drew me as no other institution could match the enthusiasm of its students. Being offered scholarships was the icing on the cake for me.

I should mention that I'm a UK citizen but understand that international students make up a large %age of UEA postgrads. As to location.... no question that Birmingham is a much bigger metropolis but Norwich is a lovely city with great student night life, shops, close to the coast, etc. The uni is also much closer to its city centre than Birmingham Uni. I know many UEA students like it so much that they remain in Norwich after graduation - and some intend to go on to postgrad just to remain at the uni for another year (a story I heard several times from the current undergrads). Rail/coach connections to London and Stansted are also excellent.

I can't comment on any other faculty/school at UEA but the student experience seems universally good from my research. I've visited Birmingham Uni but found its location daunting (traffic is a nightmare for miles in every direction) and its faculty friendly but impersonal. However, it's all about what suits you best as an individual but I doubt UEA would be considered second best by any of its students past/present.