If the PhD funding expires after the end of the third year and you are forced to leave the town/city you were doing the PHD then what are the options?

It's quite common. The 4th year should be for writing-up, so ideally you wouldn't need access to the uni as the research-phase has finished. Getting a job or getting the dole are basically the two options.

Some people stay with family while they write up in thier 4th year.

======= Date Modified 26 May 2009 09:26:09 =======
============= Edited by a Moderator =============
is it possible that the supervisor can stop u from leaving at this point? lets say mine is a t**t

On what grounds would they stop you leaving? If you are a lab-based PhD and haven't completed the work, then yes I can see why they may have a problem. But most supervisors are acutely aware that funding runs out and people have to move etc...

What would his motivation for making you stay be?

would you say leaving is a key to failure?