Dual EU/US Citizenship: US resident considering UK schools

[FaultyPowers]

Okayyyyy....so I'm thinking this topic is only going to apply to a tiny portion of gradcafe goers, but what the hell. I have dual citizenship, France and the US. So I can move to France or any other EU member country, get a job, NOT get a job, buy property, whatever. It's awesome.

 

However, I'm wondering what it means in terms of grad school. I know that EU citizens are in a specific and generally favorable category for funding in UK schools, but I think that's based on the fact that EU citizens usually have EU residences...which I don't. Born and raised in the US. So I'm wondering how this would effect my funding. Also, if I get into a UK school, I neither need nor want to be housed on campus. I can get an apartment, buy a house, do whatever I want basically, but I'm wondering whether on-campus residence is required. That would pretty much kill it for me, because none of the housing seems to be pet friendly and if I can't go with my kitties I'm not going. So! Does anybody have experience with this? 

[TakeruK]

I just want to add that many EU/UK benefits require not only citizenship in the EU/UK but also recent residency. I noticed this when I was looking at UK schools (being Canadian, there were also some benefits to moving to the UK in terms of my spouse being able to work without special permission etc.). Also, I have a UK citizen friend who did a Masters in Canada and said that if he were to go back to the UK for PhD, his absence from the UK would mean that he would be considered a non-resident for admission/fellowship purposes.

[FaultyPowers]

Yeah, I spent yesterday looking into it and I've concluded that it's just too difficult. I'd have to live in an EU member country for three years prior to applying or I'd be considered American and American only....which I find entirely too frustrating, because it's completely contrary to every other legal right that I have in Europe! So nevermind.

[Meglet]

I went to a master's program in the UK, and ended up having to leave my cats in the US with my mom (thankfully I have them back now).  I lived off campus and cats were allowed, but there was this whole expensive (like $800 per cat) health-check process for avoiding the 6 weeks of quarantine that I just couldn't afford.  Anyway, I'm super jealous of your dual-citizenship!

[FaultyPowers]

No kitties = no me.

 

And I like how Cambridge specifies that you must either live on campus OR within 10 miles of campus. In the most expensive area in the town. Where.....just guessing....they probably own every single apartment building. 

 

How about no, Cambridge.

[TakeruK]

No kitties = no me.

 

And I like how Cambridge specifies that you must either live on campus OR within 10 miles of campus. In the most expensive area in the town. Where.....just guessing....they probably own every single apartment building. 

 

How about no, Cambridge.

 

Wow, that sounds terrible. I have never had a school tell me where I am allowed to live before??

[Meglet]

Maybe Cambridge just has deep-seated control issues stemming from a traumatic childhood.

 

I would generally say no kitties=no me, but the UK pet immigration websites were so poorly done that it was only a month or so before I was scheduled to fly over that I figured out the cost.  I had already gone the microchipping, etc.

[DanJackson]

For what it's worth, I had mentors, advisors, profs - all tell me not to do a PhD in the UK. For those considering, make sure you really dig into the differences between North American programs and the UK, there are substantial differences ranging from how much training you get, relationships with advisors, and the value of the degree if you intend to work in North America. It can certainly be done and done well - and there are obviously great schools where you can do it, it's just a slightly different creature.