can't help thinking it would be best to stick annual or quarterly payments in a high-interest savings account (maybe an online ISA) and set-up a standing order to yourself.

that way you get "paid" monthly, can budget monthly and even earn some decent interest too.

i can't answer your question, but just don't give up, you will get there!

are there other current/past PhDs you can talk to about this?

thanks v much devoichitsa for starting this

and thanks v v v much to everyone else for such positive comments.

i'll be 38 at the time of starting one (assuming i decide to apply and assuming i get one!) and had been worried that it would be hard to get jobs because i'll be 41-ish when i finish.

but 1) age discrimation is now illegal in the uk, so attitudes will start to change and 2) what the heck i musn't let other people's attitudes put me off things

thanks v much all

have you had someone review your CV? maybe your research and transferable skills could be better presented?

your uni's careers centre will know how to write CVs for research jobs

i think the british council MIGHT have funding, not sure. if you've not done so already, best thing is to go to student advice at your uni, they will know who gives £ to international students.

and don't be put off if you get told "no" at first - keep looking!

also sometimes the best thing is to get on a course and then all sorts of funding streams become available.

this is what happened to me, i got lots of "no"'s - but when i started the course, suddenly funding was available after all

what's the most important issue here?

i'm guessing it's getting ppublished in the first place.

therefore, i wouldn't get involved in an argument about this - you may need the goodwill of these people at some point.

good luck with being published