Hi all,
Sorry for the late reply - just back in the country after my vacation - and want to thank everyone for their advice.
So to follow up, I ended up breaking up with her when I got back from Australia. I took a risk (against the advice of the OcUK council of elders I must confess), and didnt do it before, i just wanted to take time to think about life and what i want and what I want to achieve and things, and i came home to the UK determined and focused on what I want in life. I had minimal contact with her over the break to give me time to think, and i came back with the mindset of "either she gives me what i want and we change for the better, or i'll finish it", and i wanted this done on the first day (like a plaster, get it over with).
We had a long chat today and basically she confirmed she is moving home. I said well thats fine, but what about X/Y/Z (see OP). She admitted she treated me like dogpoo, and that she feels really bad but she is swamped with university (she failed her 2 exams over xmas so she has to resit this month or she fails the year), and that she couldnt give me all the time i want.
I said to her that she needs to focus on her university, and that whatever happens will happen, but to not bank on us getting straight back together after exams etc which she understands.
I still class her as a close friend (as it stands), and it wasnt a messy break up, and i felt Mr Heart fighting Mr Brain with the "why not give it a go", which was hard to ignore and stay focused. You never know, we may get back together along the line but as far as I'm concerned I'm moving on with life. I hold no ill regard towards her, she has to do what is best for her as its the business end of the uni year, and that whatever happens will happen.
So there - thats what it is, not a happy end to the story but isnt that life