Myrk

Have two MAs, and have been rejected because of "fit" (despite having interviews) from all top choice American PhD programs (in the Humanities)... am waiting to hear back from two programs, have one interview this week. Both are in the UK, one is a fully funded scholarship, but the university is fairly low ranked. One is fairly highly ranked but I applied late and missed the normal international funding scheme, so not sure how that one may work. 
If I'm offered the scholarship, is it worth taking just so that I'm *in* a PhD program, or should I try to do an MPhil or MLitt at the second university (if there's no funding for the PhD) and re-apply in time to receive funding for the PhD? I want to teach, I want to contribute to my field, and I don't want my career prospects to falter. The department at the lower ranked university itself is totally fine, but the institution is a relative no-name, and I don't see their graduates making any progress in my field.
This is my fourth time applying to programs, and I'm exhausted, frustrated, and don't really know what to do. 

I was waiting to hear from a UofT (app was due December 15) PhD program and literally just got an email from the assistant director of the program yesterday, pretty sure because I emailed my person of interest. Couldn't hurt to email/call?