What International Students Should Know About the Turing Scheme
Here's a news roundup of what you should know about the Turing Scheme.
The Turing Scheme is a UK government-funded program that enables students at British schools, colleges, and universities to undertake study and work placements abroad. Named after Alan Turing, the pioneering mathematician and computer scientist, the scheme launched in 2021 as the UK's replacement for the European Union's Erasmus+ program following Brexit.
What is the Turing Scheme?
The Turing Scheme is the UK’s main national mobility fund for outbound study, work, and volunteering placements.
Since September 2021, it has provided funding for international study and work placement programs for around 150,000 students.
The Turing Scheme was introduced following the UK's departure from the Erasmus scheme (a change that has been reversed in 2025). Its goal is to help level up existing socio-economic inequalities by empowering more young people with the soft and hard skills sought by employers through international study.
Providers apply for funding, and then students apply through their provider. You can participate without holding a UK passport if you study at an eligible UK institution (or a British overseas territory).
How does the Turing Scheme work?
The Turing Scheme works differently from many student funding programs.
Individual students cannot apply directly for grants. Instead, educational institutions submit applications to the Department for Education outlining their proposed international placement projects. Successful institutions then allocate funding to eligible students participating in approved placements.
The scheme covers 3 main categories of participants:
- Primary and secondary school pupils can undertake short-term placements lasting from 3 days to 2 months.
- Sixth-form and further education students can participate in placements ranging from 2 weeks to 12 months.
- University students, including recent graduates within 12 months of completing their studies, can access placements ranging from 4 weeks to 12 months for both academic study and work-based traineeships.
Funding amounts vary according to the destination and the student's circumstances. Countries can be categorized into 2 groups based on the cost of living.
| Group | Travel grant |
|---|---|
| Group 1 (High-cost) | £1,000 and above |
| Group 2 (Low-cost) | Usually less than £1,000 |
Note: Initially, there were three cost groups, but as of 2024/2025 academic year, the government simplified the system to two groups.
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are eligible for an additional £110 monthly, as well as support for travel costs, passport fees, visa applications, and travel insurance.
Students with special educational needs and disabilities can access additional funding to cover placement-related costs, including pre-placement visits to assess accessibility requirements.
Who can apply?
The Turing Scheme uses a 2-tier application process:
- Educational institutions apply for funding from the Department for Education.
- Students then access that funding through their school, college, or university. You cannot apply for funding as an individual student.
Eligible institutions include schools (primary and secondary), further education and vocational training providers, sixth form colleges, and higher education institutions. These organizations must be registered and recognized to provide education in the UK or British Overseas Territories. Companies with trainees and apprentices can also apply for grants to support overseas learning or work placements.
Notes for students who are interested in the Turing Scheme
🛂 You don't need to be UK citizen to participate. International students studying at participating UK universities can access the scheme on the same basis as domestic students.
🎓 For higher education, all undergraduate and postgraduate students at registered institutions qualify, whether studying full-time or part-time.
💼 Recent graduates are eligible for work traineeships abroad for up to 12 months after completing their studies.
💵 The scheme prioritizes students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Eligibility for enhanced funding typically requires an annual household income of £25,000 or less, entitlement to free school meals within the past six years, receipt of Universal Credit or income-related benefits, status as a care leaver or refugee, or caring responsibilities. Students meeting these criteria receive higher living cost grants and additional support for travel, passports, visas, and insurance.
👨🦽➡️Students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) qualify for extra funding to cover costs arising from their needs, such as pre-placement accessibility visits or specialist support during the placement.
Key differences from Erasmus+
| Turing Scheme | Erasmus |
|---|---|
| Students in the UK who want to study abroad | Students in the UK who want to study abroad, and vice versa |
| Doesn't cover tuition fees | Covers/waives tuition fees |
| Single-year budget planning | Multi-year budget planning |
| Doesn't fund staff exchanges; staff can only accompany students abroad | Supports teachers, college staff and youth workers |
Most significantly, the Turing Scheme operates as a one-way program. While Erasmus+ funded both outgoing British students and incoming European students through reciprocal arrangements, Turing provides no funding for international students to study in the UK.
Turing does not cover tuition fees. Under Erasmus+, participating universities agreed to waive fees for exchange students. The UK government expects host institutions to waive fees voluntarily, but this arrangement is not guaranteed.
The funding model differs substantially. Erasmus+ operated on multi-year budget cycles, giving institutions predictable funding and the ability to plan partnerships years in advance. Turing requires annual applications, meaning institutions learn their funding allocations only months before placements begin.
The scheme does not fund staff exchanges. Erasmus+ supported teachers, college staff, and youth workers in pursuing international professional development opportunities. The government reports that 1,152 UK staff completed Erasmus placements in 2020 alone. Under Turing, staff can only accompany students abroad for safeguarding purposes.
Why was the Turing Scheme introduced?
The UK's departure from the European Union in January 2020 raised immediate questions about its continued participation in the Erasmus+ program.
While EU membership was not technically required, the UK government determined that the terms offered by the EU were not in the best interest of taxpayers. Then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson cited the program's cost imbalance, noting that twice as many EU students came to the UK as British students traveled to other European countries.
In December 2020, alongside the announcement of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the government revealed plans for a new domestic program. The Turing Scheme would receive £100 million annually to support the educational and professional development of 35,000-45,000 students, with a particular emphasis on participants from disadvantaged backgrounds and the ability to study at institutions worldwide, rather than solely within Europe.
Conclusion
The Turing Scheme represents the UK's attempt to maintain international educational mobility following Brexit. It has successfully funded almost 150,000 placements between 2021 and 2025 and claims higher participation from disadvantaged students than its predecessor achieved. The global scope offers opportunities beyond Europe that Erasmus+ could not easily provide.
On the other hand, the scheme is held back by a lack of reciprocity, annual funding uncertainty, absence of tuition fee coverage, and recent budget cuts. Whether the scheme can build durable international partnerships without the structural advantages of EU membership remains an open question. What's more, considering that UK will rejoin Erasmus+ starting from 2027, the future of the program is uncertain.
For students considering study abroad, the availability and extent of Turing support will depend on their institution's success in the competitive annual application process and the evolving budget decisions of the UK government.
Sara Evans
Author
Sara is the Content Team Manager at educations.com, responsible for creating and managing editorial content for students worldwide. Her own study abroad experience in the Netherlands sparked a passion and commitment to international education. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Interactive Media Design and has worked in international education since her high school years.
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