After going to meet a prospective supervisor I had a phone call from her saying I was top of the list at that point and we discussed possible start dates. About a week later I received an e-mail saying I had been rejected.
I'm really gutted about it, and its making me think twice about applying for any more if I'm honest.

Perhaps you could ask her the rerasons for your rejection so that you can tackle the problem (reference letter etc?)

Yes I did. She said that there had been several people that had applied after she called me that were stronger candidates. They had more experience in the area.

Don't give up, it seems to me like they liked you enough to put you at the top of the list at one point. Sometimes I am sure PhD applications are just about luck! Are you sure there wasn't anything a bit questionable in one of your refs? Maybe you could request to see them.

The same thing happened to me!I got told at an interview that the PhD was mine and then I got rejection letter!All you can do is keep applying and hopefully something will come up Im sure

Was it your first application? I just suggest you to keep trying. If you have ever been considered as on the top of the list, I think the chance for you is to get a PhD is promising ... I was rejected several times (around 4 times :P), when finally got the position. I wish you all the best!

Usually rejection of an application after acceptance from the supervisor happens due to various external factors such as: funds, university policies, status of the research project the supervisor is handling. It is unwise to confer that the supervisor was arrogant. Furthermore, it is not only a decision made by your supervisor but the admissions' board as well. Yes! I had rejections too but with credible reasons. We usually dont understand what happens on the other side of line. Donna, no doubt you are an excellant phd candidate, so keep trying.

I was also rejected several times , for nearly two years I was trying my luck , and when I contact the potential superviors they all agreed to take me in but when i apply i am rejected and the reason they give me was proposal waws weak! So I worked and worked on my proposal and finally got there! So the message is DOnt Give up ! Dont be disappointed , something better is coming your way.

My first attempt towards a PhD was a success, after a big battle to secure funding. To beat the sudden frustration through unexpected disappointments, it is always advisable to identify several universities of your interest and make applications to a good number of them. This to some extent could increase ones chances of avoiding heavy disappointments. This was the secret of my one-touch success, notwithstanding the fact that processing a PhD application is one of the bigs task that requires much efforts and time.